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Rennefarre,translated by Malve von Hassell
ISBN: 9781938690389
ISBN: 9781938690389
Folk tales and myths have always had an irresistible draw
for me and this book explores the folklore, myths and history of early Germany
and Poland. The tale begins with Dott, a
disobedient young girl, who decides to slip out of the house to see a midsummer
night bonfire instead of staying in to take care of her younger brother and
sister.
First Dott decides she will be able to see it from the
porch, then from the road, and then from the hill. Next she is drawn farther
away from the house but she is feeling uneasy about her disobedience so instead
of following the road, she sneaks through the woods, brush and fields. She is drawn farther and farther along until
finally she is right at the bonfire and sees her younger brother there with her
infant sister in his arms. She is
worried about being punished and thinks that her parents and neighbors are
ignoring her as a punishment. She begins
to cry and Father Gnilica hears her and talks with her about her plight. Soon she realizes that she has a rennefarre
in her shoe and it has made her invisible to everyone.
The first mythical creature Dott meets is the Red Boy, a
full of mischief fire sprite. He tries
to entice her with power or riches. She
resists his enticements so he then speaks of the enchantment of the water, fire
and air sprites and how they yearn for deliverance.
The next morning, Dott hides near her home and listens in
but soon realizes that she cannot stay.
Dott will have to search for a cure for her situation and until she
finds one, she must leave home in order not to frighten her family or the
villagers. She is still audible and
she is able to understand the speech of the animals.
Dott befriends some
animals by rescuing a young stork and by helping to rescue an owl imprisoned by
other humans. Other animals (such as the
magpies) either don’t trust Dott or would like to seek revenge for past harms
humans have caused them.
Dott’s travels take her across the countryside in the
company of various animals some caring and some hostile, where she meets
magical creatures, and she slips back and forth in time to witness events at
key places and times in history and in mythology. She also meets another human, who has made a
bargain with the fire sprite to trade his face for the ability to play music
that others can’t hear. He regretted his bargain soon after when his
family reacts to his new terrifyingly ugly appearance.
This wondrous tale weaves history with mythology and creates
an enchanting story. I loved the
historical details and the parallels drawn between the various clashes in
history and man’s struggle to build a place for himself and his family in
strange, beautiful and sometimes harsh places.
The relationships between man, nature and other tribes of men are
explored in a tender way through the eyes of a young girl on the edge of
adulthood.
The artwork is beautiful and this intriguing tale reminds me
of the Oz books.
Kathy Johnson
A BookPleasures reviewer
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