Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater
There are two kinds of people. There are people who seek magic, and people the magic seeks.
Stiefvater works her magic, taking story threads from an animated children's movie and interweaving them with a trio of of formidable challenges. This tapestry includes a measure of medieval life and sparkles with fibers of Scottish mythology. The result is epic YA fantasy.
Merida, a fiery redhead girl whose prowess with a bow is legendary, is now a restless young woman. A series of travels have left her unsettled. She wonders: What is missing from her life? What needs to change?
To save her country, she strikes a bargain with two gods. Within one year she will travel to three prearranged locations throughout the land, proving that her family and country can change. It's a daunting task. She is working against time and deeply entrenched traditions.
Seasons play a role, as progression of time is a critical plot point. The text eloquently describes the splendor of each season with sensory details.
| The narrative captures the essence of family life: the messy, complicated, frustrating all-of-it. DunBroch castle is brimming with busy, boisterous interactions. “You jam-handed scab!” Merida lashes out at her brother. Her parents and three younger brothers are dimensional individuals who change as the story progresses. The evolving relationship between mother and daughter is particularly touching. As with all her novels, Stiefvater's prose is masterful. She embroiders scenes with her characteristic slightly acerbic wit and ear for language.
Signature motifs are sprinkled throughout the text: gloves with oxblood stitching, "the Sight," and a knock at the door. Just when readers think they know what comes next, the plot takes a one-eighty. The ending is what I hoped for but believed could never happen. Bravely took my heart on a tender journey. |  |
A major theme is the push and pull between renewal and ruin, the tension between complacency and change. Bravely is a study of both external and internal change. Some situations can be controlled. Some events are beyond human intervention.
| | Disclosure: I have not viewed the Pixar movie Brave and can affirm that the book stands independent of the movie. However, now that I have read the book, I want to view this version of young Merida. How does the impetuous sixteen-year-old compare with the young woman in her early twenties, searching for answers, longing to resolve the incomplete pieces of her life. |
A story of magic and the power of love, Stiefvater brings her considerable storytelling skills to this novel that is part fairytale, part mythology, and a whole lotta hopes and dreams.
I rarely immediately reread a book. However this richly layered tale drew me in for a second reading, which was as rewarding as my first encounter with Merida. Knowing the eventual outcome helped me appreciate and enjoy the story even more. I am itching to read it again. It's a sumptuous medieval feast.
Images: Picture the Story
The story's skillfully constructed world includes an introduction to Celtic history and mythology. The goddess Cailleach, and a Scottish king are featured characters. She takes liberties with the historical figure Feradach, refashioning the Irish king into a god. All three play pivotal roles in the unfolding saga.
Stiefvater's gorgeous prose brings the setting and characters to life.
| Dásachtach, Donald II, King of Scotland. Known as the Madman. | Scotland. Photos posted online by the author. | Images of the goddess Cailleach as imagined by various artists. |
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: May 3, 2022 Publisher: Disney Press ISBN: 978-1368071345
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