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The Transformation
A powerful novel about the meeting of two very different cultures in fifteenth-century Greenland
For several years, the Inuits in Greenland, the "Human Beings," as they call themselves, have suffered from unusually hard winters that do not let up even in what should be summertime. Navarana, a young Inuit woman, has lost both her parents to these terrible times of starvation and desperation. She decides to become a hunter and a shaman, a spirit guide, to help her people. Then she accidentally finds and reluctantly saves a stranger, Brendan, a young Irish monk. He has come to Greenland to help the Christian community and convert the "heathens." But the Christian community has disintegrated and, one by one, his fellow monks have died. Both proud and stubborn, Brendan and Navarana are immediately at odds. Gradually, however, as they learn more about each other, they develop a mutual respect. And Brendan is chosen to accompany Navarana on her perilous journey to bring back the sun.
For several years, the Inuits in Greenland, the "Human Beings," as they call themselves, have suffered from unusually hard winters that do not let up even in what should be summertime. Navarana, a young Inuit woman, has lost both her parents to these terrible times of starvation and desperation. She decides to become a hunter and a shaman, a spirit guide, to help her people. Then she accidentally finds and reluctantly saves a stranger, Brendan, a young Irish monk. He has come to Greenland to help the Christian community and convert the "heathens." But the Christian community has disintegrated and, one by one, his fellow monks have died. Both proud and stubborn, Brendan and Navarana are immediately at odds. Gradually, however, as they learn more about each other, they develop a mutual respect. And Brendan is chosen to accompany Navarana on her perilous journey to bring back the sun.
195 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Mette Newth
19 books5 followersMette Cecilie Newth is a Norwegian illustrator, author of children's literature, and organizer. She received the Norwegian Critics Prize for Best children's book.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
did-not-finish
April 20, 2020Ik had niet eens door dat het een jeugdboek was. Vond hem ook niet zo boeiend.
November 3, 2013
Navarana is the main character in the book the transformation. She is a young women who is trying to save her village from starvation in the middle of a horrible winter. The story starts off when Navarana kills a mystical bear which will help feed her village. But the journey back was fraught with danger as it is full with dangerous creatures. As she traversed across the cold land, she found her village and fed them. This is a good of example of a person willing to do anything to help someone, even if the person has to go through tough trials.
After Navarana kills the mystical bear she begins her journey back, but soon after she leaves, she sees terrifying creatures that are a lot like humans but bigger so she is forced around them. After that she still has to go through rocky terrain with sled dogs. When she does she finally reaches her village. The winter is still not even close to being done after her return.
After Navarana kills the mystical bear she begins her journey back, but soon after she leaves, she sees terrifying creatures that are a lot like humans but bigger so she is forced around them. After that she still has to go through rocky terrain with sled dogs. When she does she finally reaches her village. The winter is still not even close to being done after her return.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews