akingston5's review
5.0
I want to live on a Scottish isle and make seaweed soup and listen to the seals. Quick children’s story with lots of beautiful description— loved this!
morganperks's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lancre's review
4.0
This is it, the ideal whimsy tale of selkies and islands and weird girls. Warm and fuzzy reading :)
pianosharon's review
5.0
A sweet little magical book. It will find a permanent place on my shelves right with The Secret Garden and Jane’s Country Year.
abutler's review
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jeremychiasson's review
5.0
What a little slice of magic "Secret of Ron Mor Skerry" turned out to be! It was well worth the hour or two it took me to read.
The Scottish seaside setting feels vividly real. I was not at all surprised to learn that the author Rosalie K. Fry was born on an island (Vancouver Island, as a matter of fact!), and spent most of her life in the Welsh countryside. This book provides many beautiful, tangible images of the natural world, which keeps you anchored in reality, even as the story takes on more of a fairytale quality.
There are so many little gems in here: The baby's cradle made from the timbers of a ship that has sailed the sea ("It will need no rockers, she said. "It will rock on the waves of the sea."), the seashell dinnerware laid out on the old wooden table, ooh--and I loved the passage about Fiona stirring bucket of pitch over a fire for her grandfather, while he worked on the boat:
"She decided that nothing could be much pleasanter than the smell of the bubbling pitch, and the smooth, thick feel of it as she stirred it around and around. She felt like some magician, mixing a magic brew."
I also have to say Rosalie K. Fry's illustrations (simple yet charming) really added to the feeling of the book. The edition I read was so lovely, like the story itself. So I strongly recommend buying the hardcover, "New York Review" edition if you can get it.
The Scottish seaside setting feels vividly real. I was not at all surprised to learn that the author Rosalie K. Fry was born on an island (Vancouver Island, as a matter of fact!), and spent most of her life in the Welsh countryside. This book provides many beautiful, tangible images of the natural world, which keeps you anchored in reality, even as the story takes on more of a fairytale quality.
There are so many little gems in here: The baby's cradle made from the timbers of a ship that has sailed the sea ("It will need no rockers, she said. "It will rock on the waves of the sea."), the seashell dinnerware laid out on the old wooden table, ooh--and I loved the passage about Fiona stirring bucket of pitch over a fire for her grandfather, while he worked on the boat:
"She decided that nothing could be much pleasanter than the smell of the bubbling pitch, and the smooth, thick feel of it as she stirred it around and around. She felt like some magician, mixing a magic brew."
I also have to say Rosalie K. Fry's illustrations (simple yet charming) really added to the feeling of the book. The edition I read was so lovely, like the story itself. So I strongly recommend buying the hardcover, "New York Review" edition if you can get it.
ceilisbookshelf's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wanted to read this book because it’s the inspiration for one of my favorite movies, The Secret of Roan Inish. I like the movie better. The atmosphere, the music, the sights. The story in the book takes place in Scotland, but the movie is set in a fishing village in Ireland. I don’t think my ancestors lived that close to the coast, but they were from Ireland. The Roan Inish movie feels like home to me in a soul-deep way, because it’s Ireland and because I saw it first when I was very young. The book is the same story, but there isn’t as much magic to it as the movie holds for me. Still a beautiful little book though.
kailey_luminouslibro's review
5.0
Fiona's family left their ancient home on the Ron Mor Island, and Fiona's little brother, Jamie, was lost. Now Fiona is staying with her grandparents on the Western Islands of Scotland. Fiona is certain that she can find her lost brother, and she befriends a tribe of seals who seem to guide her in her search. The family legends speak of a selkie woman who married into their family many generations ago, and Fiona will have to return to Ron Mor to unravel the past and bring her family together again.
I loved watching the movie "The Secret of Roan Inish" when I was a girl, and I was delighted to find that the book has the same charm and mystery as the movie. The plot is a little simpler in this book, and a few of the characters and a couple of the old legends that were in the movie are not in the book. But the bones of the story are there, and all the beauty of the islands and the history of this rich culture of fishermen are wonderfully described.
I loved the writing style! Each scene has a charm that delighted me. The descriptions of the sea and the seals and the seagulls pulled me into the story, and all the mystery of nature and ancient legends enchanted me. The mystery of Jamie is fascinating!
Fiona is an adorable character. She is such a sweet little girl, and very determined to bring her family together again. She has a fierce personality in a quiet and gentle way. She is small and feminine, but also courageous and hearty. Her grandparents have such strong personalities, and I loved all their dialogue with their Celtic accents.
What an absolute delight! I can't believe I waited this long to read this wonderful classic children's book. A new favorite!
I loved watching the movie "The Secret of Roan Inish" when I was a girl, and I was delighted to find that the book has the same charm and mystery as the movie. The plot is a little simpler in this book, and a few of the characters and a couple of the old legends that were in the movie are not in the book. But the bones of the story are there, and all the beauty of the islands and the history of this rich culture of fishermen are wonderfully described.
I loved the writing style! Each scene has a charm that delighted me. The descriptions of the sea and the seals and the seagulls pulled me into the story, and all the mystery of nature and ancient legends enchanted me. The mystery of Jamie is fascinating!
Fiona is an adorable character. She is such a sweet little girl, and very determined to bring her family together again. She has a fierce personality in a quiet and gentle way. She is small and feminine, but also courageous and hearty. Her grandparents have such strong personalities, and I loved all their dialogue with their Celtic accents.
What an absolute delight! I can't believe I waited this long to read this wonderful classic children's book. A new favorite!
nce14210's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It really took me back to the Blasket Islands. I don't believe this really took place there, but the descriptions really reminded me of those Irish islands. I remembered the people of Blasket being moved away to the mainland near Dingle as the characters were in this tale. Lovely illustrations. A touching story. I think this can be read and appreciated by all ages. A quick read.
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