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Wall-to-wall books - wendy's Reviews > Selkie Dreams
Selkie Dreams
by
by
This is a wonderful story that is beautifully written! I really felt like I was transported to first Belfast then Alaska (I have always wanted to go to Alaska! LOL). This story, although fiction felt very real to me. The history and traditions of the early Alaskan people were clearly described here. This book is both interesting and fascinating.
"It is a Deer Ceremony because deer are peaceful," Joseph said. 'After each side has agreed to the gifts to be given, they will have men pretend to be deer, to show peaceful behavior."
"Tlingits do not usually say people's names everywhere and all the time. Names are full of power, full of meaning. When a child is first born, it is weak and the people believe that the spirits in heaven would take the child back, if they knew the child's real name. Later, there are other enemies. You do not always want an enemy to know your power, they might use it against you."
So why only a 4 star rating instead of 5? The beginning of this is real slow, but it pick up once she got to Alaska. Also - This book was not really about Selkies except for the first few pages and a few mentions through the book and then again at the end. Some people expecting a story about Selkies might be disappointed. I was hesitant to read this book at first because I did think it was about Selkies so I was kind of glad that it didn't take over the story. This was more historical fiction about the Alaskan people.
The character development is excellent! I fell in love with Máire, Natsilane, Sarah, and Rebecca as well as all the other Alaskan people. However, I despised Mrs. Paxson. What a self centered, rude, controlling person she was. She was clearly not there to help them, to teach them, or to teach them about God. She was there to control them, change them, and rule over them. She also took it upon herself to judge people and even try to inflict punishment on them. In a very strange and twisted way it reminded me of "Island of the Sequined Love Nun" - I know, I know, you're thinking, huh? But, trust me you have to read both to understand.
All in all I really did love this beautiful story and could not stop reading the last 2/3 of this book.
I know that parts of this will stay with me a long time.
"It is a Deer Ceremony because deer are peaceful," Joseph said. 'After each side has agreed to the gifts to be given, they will have men pretend to be deer, to show peaceful behavior."
"Tlingits do not usually say people's names everywhere and all the time. Names are full of power, full of meaning. When a child is first born, it is weak and the people believe that the spirits in heaven would take the child back, if they knew the child's real name. Later, there are other enemies. You do not always want an enemy to know your power, they might use it against you."
So why only a 4 star rating instead of 5? The beginning of this is real slow, but it pick up once she got to Alaska. Also - This book was not really about Selkies except for the first few pages and a few mentions through the book and then again at the end. Some people expecting a story about Selkies might be disappointed. I was hesitant to read this book at first because I did think it was about Selkies so I was kind of glad that it didn't take over the story. This was more historical fiction about the Alaskan people.
The character development is excellent! I fell in love with Máire, Natsilane, Sarah, and Rebecca as well as all the other Alaskan people. However, I despised Mrs. Paxson. What a self centered, rude, controlling person she was. She was clearly not there to help them, to teach them, or to teach them about God. She was there to control them, change them, and rule over them. She also took it upon herself to judge people and even try to inflict punishment on them. In a very strange and twisted way it reminded me of "Island of the Sequined Love Nun" - I know, I know, you're thinking, huh? But, trust me you have to read both to understand.
All in all I really did love this beautiful story and could not stop reading the last 2/3 of this book.
I know that parts of this will stay with me a long time.
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Reading Progress
June 19, 2012
–
Started Reading
June 19, 2012
– Shelved
July 1, 2012
–
Finished Reading
