The Moorchild [Large Print] [Hardcover]

 

 

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Books about fairies, Old Ones, ferishers, etc. are as common as the day is long. There seems to be an insatiable need on the part of children to read about the mythical creatures that live within and yet not within our midst. Changelings are some of the oldest of these creatures and have been used to excellent use in a wide variety of literature. As you may know, a changeling is an object or creature exchanged for an unchristened baby. The changeling may at first look just like the baby it has replaced, but over time definite differences will come out. Most stories about changelings concentrate on the effort to locate the exchanged child. In the case of Eloise McGraw's, "The Moorchild", the author has cleverly written a tale of what it means to be different from everyone around you.

Old Bess knows something has gone wrong with the baby Saaski. Where once the child was docile and contained, now it cries and screams continually day and night. Old Bess suspects, rightly, that her grandchild has been exchanged for a changeling, an idea her daughter and son-in-law won't even consider. For her own part, Saaski is livid. A fairy, yes, she has been ousted from her home and fellows for the crime of not being able to do simple fairy tricks. It turns out that she is half human, and belongs neither in the fairy world nor in the human. As the baby Saaski grows up, she forgets her former life in the mystical Mound and thinks of herself as fully human, if a little odd. Certainly the village distrusts her, a feeling that becomes far more malignant and violent as time goes on. On her own, Saaski only feels truly free when she can wander the Moors, piping a tune on her grandfather's bagpipes. As time goes by, however, Saaski must rediscover who she is and solve the mystery of the child she replaced.

On the surface, the tale is a straightforward look at how difference breeds unnecessary hatred. Delving a little deeper into the text, this is a story about biracial children and the prejudices they face in society. In her dedication McGraw writes, "To all children who have ever felt different", giving her readers the chance to identify with this strange but beautiful creature. I was amazed at how well the author researched the classic fairy stories too. Saaski is afraid of salt, iron, rowan wood, St. John's Wart flowers, and other items as well. The fairies steal mostly food items and are lacking in such human emotions as love and hate. As a changeling, Saaski is similar to the boy Troy in Michael Chabon's recent fairy tale, "Summerland". She bears little resemblance to dangerous or evil changelings found in tales like Maurice Sendak's, "Outside Over There", (the melting baby changeling is particularly frightening) or the creature in John Crowley's, "Little Big" that crawls to the fireplace and starts eating the hot coals there like popcorn. The book is careful to admit that in some cases, changelings are enchanted sticks of wood or inanimate objects. Saaski's case is special because she is a halfling of sorts with a fairy mother and a human pa.

There are a lot of great fairy stories out there that don't give a whoopty-doo about the laws governing the Fair Folk and their kin. In a way, it's a great relief to read an accomplished writer like Eloise McGraw and her "Moorchild" book. The plot is enchanting, the characters lively and well written, and the story a fabulous metaphor for those people that must create their own worlds when the one around them becomes too intolerant. A delightful addition to any public or private library.

This is a beautifully written book that I read several years ago, and have recently re-read. My one complaint is that, while I enjoyed reading the book both times, a younger audience might miss a few things in the story, and an older audience won't be as affected by it as a younger one. I think that this story's projected audience was written for older children or preteen females, though an older audience would enjoy it as well. Beware, though: some of the scenes where the villagers are after Saaski are pretty disturbing and heart-wrenching. This book, while simple, isn't just a flaky fairy tale- it's an intense and often sweet fantasy that combines olden lore with the emotional traumas that all of us must face at some time in our lives. A very enjoyable read- I recommend it enthusiastically.

This is a great book.

Liturature at its finest

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5.0 out of 5 stars No one wants a changeling... and she doesn't want to be one!
Moql is a 'Folk', a fairy-like being, and lives in the 'Mound' with her kind. Being half-human, she does not have all the abilities that the other Folk do - which, in their light,... Read more

Published on Oct 14 2003 by Myra Schjelderup

4.0 out of 5 stars A great fairy-tale fantasy...
The story starts with a young girl named Moql'nkkn, who lives among the "Folk", a fairy like people. What Moql doesn't know is that she's only half-Folk. Read more

Published on Aug 23 2003 by Victory Silvers

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
I was so impressed with this book. The writing flows so naturally it's as though I'm dreaming the story rather than reading it. Read more

Published on Aug 5 2003 by AnibanLC

5.0 out of 5 stars wow!
This book is great. I can't list all the things I love about it. What impresses me most is how faithful the author is to her own story and setting--while this is a story about... Read more

Published on July 28 2003 by looner

5.0 out of 5 stars Another classic by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
My favorite book as a teenager was "Sawdust In His Shoes" by Ms. McGraw and I read many of her books with joy. Imagine my pleasure at finding this book. Read more

Published on May 31 2003 by Rahne Kirkham

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth buying
I first read the Moorchild when I was only nine and I was inexplicably drawn to Saaski, the little girl who was so different and so shunned. Read more

Published on May 3 2003 by Krissy

4.0 out of 5 stars Being Different
The Moorchild," by Eloise McGraw is a very sad and touching fantasy. The book tells the story of Saaski who lives in a human family but actually is half human and half Folk... Read more

Published on Mar 30 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars The Moorchild
The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw is an excellent fantasy book with a very unique plot.

Published on Oct 29 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars The Moorchild age:10
The Moorchild,by Eloise McGraw is a Newbery Honor book.This book is for every child who has ever felt different.Folk are a special group who can change shape and color. Read more

Published on Oct 11 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars The Moorchild
The Moorchild is a great book to read. If you like Harry Potter you will like this book. This book makes you feel a lot of emotions. Read more

Published on July 15 2002

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