A selkie tale to stir the heart…
I love magical lands. I love them even more when they exist side by side with our “real” world. The Neverland has that side-by-side quality. So do the classic tales of selkies.
The Turning, by EmilyWhitman (a Pacific Northwest author, residing in Portland) sings its selkie tale tune in the minor key I associate with all selkie tales. In fact, I almost decided not to read it when I glanced inside and caught the feel of the story. I thought it was headed for tragedy, and I prefer my reading to be hopeful at the very least!
However, the prose is lyrical, the characters engaging, and the ocean descriptions from the point to view of Aran, magnetic. I’m glad I stuck with it—the book’s plot twists and turns live up to its brilliant imagery. Spoiler alert: it does not end in tragedy, much to my relief!
Summary:
Aran lives at sea with his selkie clan in “longlimbs” form—still awaiting the appearance of his selkie seal skin. When the secret of his human father is revealed, Aran goes on a quest to prove his clan wrong in their belief that he will remain in human(“longlimbs”) form all his life.
In this selkie tale, storytelling is almost a character in its own right. Aran repeats the tales he’s grown up hearing, and later seeks answers to his unanswered questions from other storytellers. The nature and power of oral storytelling rings loud and true.
The “minor key” in this tale doesn’t change its power. It holds beautiful examples of friendship, proclaims the importance of believing in magic, and turns on both love and faith.
The Turning by Emily Whitman will transport you to an eternal time and place so alive you’ll feel the salt on your skin as you swim with Aran and the selkies.
Don’t miss this selkie tale. It doesn’t spare either the characters or the reader their share of real-life pain and sorrow, but there’s a happy ending, I promise!