From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-- Aboriginal Mrs. Willet, a Clever Woman journeying to the bush to renew the power of the sacred sites of her people, discovers her next-door neighbor, 14-year-old Jo, hiding in the back of the car. Ignoring her fears, she allows the rebellious and disrespectful girl to accompany her. Jo repeatedly breaks her promises to remain safely in camp, instead exploring dangerous rocky areas and meeting two brothers camped nearby. When Jo allows herself to become distracted by a ride on their motorcycle, the child of other campers for whom she is baby-sitting almost dies at the hands of Balyet, a playfully mischievous yet dangerous ancient spirit. According to an Aboriginal legend first recorded in the 1880s, Balyet was condemned to wander forever, not even accepted by Death, for breaking an ancient law of falling in love with blood brothers. It is Jo's pity for the restless spirit which places Jo in mortal danger. In a tense conclusion which is not part of the original legend, Mrs. Willet, calling on the power of her elders, manages to lay Balyet to rest. Although no character other than Granny Willet is well-developed, perceptive readers who can appreciate Wrightson's fluid use of language and her ability to create an other-worldly, haunting landscape will come away enriched by a novel that permits a glimpse into an alternate reality. Wrightson is to be commended for her uncanny ability to combine ancient Aboriginal legend with modern-day characters to create a riveting and suspenseful whole. --Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, Conn.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Review
Drawing again from aboriginal Australia's rich folkloric heritage, Wrightson weaves a spellbinding tale about Balyet, abandoned - as punishment for a sin - to live forever alone. Jo, a 14-year-old white girl, has come with her elderly aboriginal friend, Mrs. Willet, to the hills to camp while Mrs. Willet - a powerful "Clever Woman" - tends her people's sacred sites. Jo has an ulterior motive: seeing her friend Terry, who is nearby with his brother, Lance. She chafes under Mrs. Willet's admonitions about danger in the ancient hills until Balyet appears - a voice, a wisp of fog, a shadow, a sorrow - and abducts little Kevin, whom Jo has promised to tend but forgets when Lance lures her off on his motorbike. After Kevin's narrow escape, Mrs. Willett tells Jo that Balyet's sin was loving blood brothers, who killed each another as a result; in retribution, her people left her. Though time has diminished her to a shadow, she is denied death's release. Empathizing with Balyet's grief, drawn to her as a kindred being, feeling that her punishment is cruel and unfair, Jo is almost lured to her own death before Mrs. Willet is able to reason with the ancient spirits and save both willful girls. Sorrowful, elusive Balyet is a compelling creation; the parallel with modern Jo adds depth to a story that poetically explores the characteristic Wrightson theme of interdependence and continuity among all creatures. This may be Wrightson's best yet. (Kirkus Reviews)
