What do you think?
Daughter of the Sea
Gioga is a gift from the sea to the childless Jannet and Munroe--but only a temporary one. The couple treat Gioga as if she were of their own flesh and blood, not understanding that they would need to let her go before long. When it comes time to return their daughter to her rightful home, desperation sets in. No amount of toil and bloodshed, however, will distract Gioga from the longing she feels to return. . . .
128 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Berlie Doherty
108 books88 followersBerlie Doherty née Hollingsworth is an English novelist, poet, playwright and screenwriter. She is best known for children's books, for which she has twice won the Carnegie Medal.She has also written novels for adults, plays for theatre and radio, television series and libretti for children's opera.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 29, 2012
Berlie Doherty: Daughter of the Sea
Brief Plot Summary
This enchanting ocean tale enriched in Irish folklore of the Selkies (seal people), centres around Gioga, found by a fisherman on the sea, who brings her back to shore and raises the baby with his wife Jannet. All of Hamna Voe come to accept Gioga as the baby of Munroe and Jannet, but only the couple and the town outcast Eilean know of Gioga’s true origin. Eilean warned Jannet that the sea would come to claim Gioga back and sure enough a strange man came to Jannet to claim her but, seeing Gioga happy, he promised he would come back soon. Seven years later, the tale shows Gioga to have grown up and hold a great attachment to the sea, going as far as to sneak out with Harris to swim with the selkies at night. Eventually the white haired stranger returns again to take Gioga, but Jannet tells Gioga to run towards her aunt’s house. The white haired man of the sea promises to return again for Gioga. Afraid of losing Gioga, Jannet takes her to the mainland to stay with her cousin, far across the valleys away from the sea. Gioga stays there, where she becomes depressed from being away from the ocean. In this time, the stranger returns once again to claim Gioga but in a panic Jannet shoots the man, who soon turns into a bleeding seal. All of Hamna Voe sees the bleeding seal, and following the incident, the seals and the sea become enraged and cause destruction. Eilean, Munroe and Jannet cross the angry tides, where Eilean gives her life to the sea so that Gioga could be found on the mainland. Once Gioga returns home, the sea calms down and Hamna Voe begins celebrating Gioga’s return. However Harris reveals to Gioga Eilean’s secret about the seal people, of how they remain in human form until they find their skin, after which they return straight to the sea. He then gives Gioga her selkie skin and without looking back, returns back to the sea.
Why I liked it?
This was a real entrancing read, it was full of magic and mystery, it pulled you into the entire story, it was very magical and that’s what had me reading on. I love how traditional Irish folklore is interwoven into this story, it creates a certain amount of authenticity, the author is skilful in making you almost believe in the tale itself. Personally I find the topic of the ocean very elusive and mystifying.
Appropriate Age Range
This type of book in my opinion would suit children 10 years of age and above because I imagine it would be much more difficult for younger children to follow the story line with ease.
How it could be used in the classroom?
The most recurring theme is of course the sea and so there are many numerous passages where Doherty describes the sea itself, often using metaphors and similes. Analysing a passage from the book in the English as a subject and identifying adjectives, similes and metaphors would further aid a child’s understanding of how and when to use these literary features effectively.
Brief Plot Summary
This enchanting ocean tale enriched in Irish folklore of the Selkies (seal people), centres around Gioga, found by a fisherman on the sea, who brings her back to shore and raises the baby with his wife Jannet. All of Hamna Voe come to accept Gioga as the baby of Munroe and Jannet, but only the couple and the town outcast Eilean know of Gioga’s true origin. Eilean warned Jannet that the sea would come to claim Gioga back and sure enough a strange man came to Jannet to claim her but, seeing Gioga happy, he promised he would come back soon. Seven years later, the tale shows Gioga to have grown up and hold a great attachment to the sea, going as far as to sneak out with Harris to swim with the selkies at night. Eventually the white haired stranger returns again to take Gioga, but Jannet tells Gioga to run towards her aunt’s house. The white haired man of the sea promises to return again for Gioga. Afraid of losing Gioga, Jannet takes her to the mainland to stay with her cousin, far across the valleys away from the sea. Gioga stays there, where she becomes depressed from being away from the ocean. In this time, the stranger returns once again to claim Gioga but in a panic Jannet shoots the man, who soon turns into a bleeding seal. All of Hamna Voe sees the bleeding seal, and following the incident, the seals and the sea become enraged and cause destruction. Eilean, Munroe and Jannet cross the angry tides, where Eilean gives her life to the sea so that Gioga could be found on the mainland. Once Gioga returns home, the sea calms down and Hamna Voe begins celebrating Gioga’s return. However Harris reveals to Gioga Eilean’s secret about the seal people, of how they remain in human form until they find their skin, after which they return straight to the sea. He then gives Gioga her selkie skin and without looking back, returns back to the sea.
Why I liked it?
This was a real entrancing read, it was full of magic and mystery, it pulled you into the entire story, it was very magical and that’s what had me reading on. I love how traditional Irish folklore is interwoven into this story, it creates a certain amount of authenticity, the author is skilful in making you almost believe in the tale itself. Personally I find the topic of the ocean very elusive and mystifying.
Appropriate Age Range
This type of book in my opinion would suit children 10 years of age and above because I imagine it would be much more difficult for younger children to follow the story line with ease.
How it could be used in the classroom?
The most recurring theme is of course the sea and so there are many numerous passages where Doherty describes the sea itself, often using metaphors and similes. Analysing a passage from the book in the English as a subject and identifying adjectives, similes and metaphors would further aid a child’s understanding of how and when to use these literary features effectively.
July 10, 2021
A quick read based on selkie mythology. For a short book, the author does a great job of bring the sea to life. It feels like you're actually there! Strains of myth and magic are interwoven amongst family and community, there is no divide between them. That makes this book an excellent escape-read.
September 18, 2024
It was quite a weird story tbh. However, i can't help but appreciate the deep-rooted culture behind the certain legend/myth that this story was based on. ✨🙌🏻
July 1, 2008
Great selkie story.....This book is based on ancient tales from Iceland, Scotland and Ireland. Legends and tales were about how seals were part human/part seal and could live on land without their coats but needed them to return to the sea.
Gioga is a gift from the sea to the childless Jannet and Munroe--but only a temporary one. The couple treat Gioga as if she were of their own flesh and blood, not understanding that they would need to let her go before long. When it comes time to return their daughter to her rightful home, desperation sets in. No amount of toil and bloodshed, however, will distract Gioga from the longing she feels to return to the Sea.
Gioga is a gift from the sea to the childless Jannet and Munroe--but only a temporary one. The couple treat Gioga as if she were of their own flesh and blood, not understanding that they would need to let her go before long. When it comes time to return their daughter to her rightful home, desperation sets in. No amount of toil and bloodshed, however, will distract Gioga from the longing she feels to return to the Sea.
February 27, 2021
This was a nice little enchanting story.
The story follows Gioga, a girl found in the ocean. She was left there as a gift for someone who would return her to the sea when the time is right, but instead she is found by a fisherman and her wife and they don't want to return her to the sea even though she feels a strong pull. Eventually, they kill her father in an attempt to make the sea stop pulling her but it doesn't work. They anger the sea, the seals/selkies leave the island for good and they have to make that right again. In the end Gioga chooses to go back to the sea to live as a selkie she always was and the parents finally let go and realize that she wasn't theirs to keep forever, they were just looking after her for the first few years of her life.
This story was short and sweet, I read the translation and it flowed really well. The ending felt a little bit rushed because there was so much build up but then bringing her back to the island took 2-3 pages compared to that long build up. I didn't know much about selkies before but I liked reading a little bit about a new lore I didn't know before.
The story follows Gioga, a girl found in the ocean. She was left there as a gift for someone who would return her to the sea when the time is right, but instead she is found by a fisherman and her wife and they don't want to return her to the sea even though she feels a strong pull. Eventually, they kill her father in an attempt to make the sea stop pulling her but it doesn't work. They anger the sea, the seals/selkies leave the island for good and they have to make that right again. In the end Gioga chooses to go back to the sea to live as a selkie she always was and the parents finally let go and realize that she wasn't theirs to keep forever, they were just looking after her for the first few years of her life.
This story was short and sweet, I read the translation and it flowed really well. The ending felt a little bit rushed because there was so much build up but then bringing her back to the island took 2-3 pages compared to that long build up. I didn't know much about selkies before but I liked reading a little bit about a new lore I didn't know before.
April 27, 2020
A short book, full of the lilting power of our nations most evocative folk memories. A childless fisherman finds a baby and brings her home to the joy, and trepidation, of his wife. As Gioga grows up, her growing attraction to the sea fills the mothers heart with terror. This retelling of selkie myth is poignant and evocative.
February 9, 2024
It's a captivating short book based on selkie mythology. The author intertwined the myth, the sea and the community ending up with a book that will make you feel like you're on the island too! In my opinion, if you're thinking about reading it, keep in mind that it is a simple story, intended to sound like a legend passed on through generations.
December 26, 2020
I wasn't entirely convinced that a short story only a hundred pages would captivate me but I was entirely wrong. The mysterious land mixed with the plot enhanced my immersion making feel apart of the world. Did enjoy this book and would recommend to anyone.
October 13, 2023
It was a really nice tale of selkies, my favorite character had to have been Eilean who sacrificed her life to calm the storm to save Gioga a young selkie who wanted to go home to her family the seals.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2017
Beautiful story
A beautiful story that my gran had read me when i waa little and i thought i should read it again! A story of all and to remind us of the magic in the world
A beautiful story that my gran had read me when i waa little and i thought i should read it again! A story of all and to remind us of the magic in the world
April 9, 2023
This was a good read, I enjoyed the story
Will I read it again? No
But the writing was well done and also the story flowed nicely,.
Will I read it again? No
But the writing was well done and also the story flowed nicely,.
July 20, 2026
This was my first book i read on my starting to read journey and it pulled me right into loving the world of books
September 13, 2026
I enjoyed all the weaving of the folktales and the desperation you felt from some of the characters. The ambiguity was just the right amount to not be exasperating.
June 29, 2012
Wow. Where to begin with this one? Um…
I really wanted to like this book. I promise I did. I haven’t read any selkie stories, so I was pretty stoked when I found this one on the shelf at the library. I also thought the hidden references to Irish and Celtic mythology was promising. In fact, I was a little excited… but then I started reading the book. Whoa Nelly.
The story is ok. It’s not all that exciting, but it wasn’t horrific either. There was a plot and a few interesting characters that made things lively. I’ll be honest though, some parts of this book just freaked me out. For instance, right up front when the old man finds the baby in the water and brings her home. What happens? His wife tries to breastfeed the babe to “see how it feels” (direct quote) and magically starts lactating. Now, this woman is described as someone in her 50s or older. I was totally freaked out by that scene. It just screams psycho in my mind, but whatever. I’m sure that scene was found someone in mythology, or at least I hope it was because it was too weird otherwise.
I did enjoy searching for the parts of the story that were based on mythology. The author did a really good job of weaving everything together so that it became difficult to tell what was an original idea and what was myth. I was already familiar with the story of Sedna from Inuit mythology, so when the crazy lady told Gioga about how her kinfolk (the seals) were made, I got that reference right away. The flip side of this is, however, that since this story is based on so many different myths from various cultures, it feels choppy in some places. There were just key parts of the plot that didn’t fit perfectly. And with only 128 pages, it was hard to form any connections to the characters. They all felt flat. In fact, it read like a myth in the fact that it’s a telling of events and not a story per se.
I read this book in a few hours while riding in the car on my way to Orlando. Normally I fall asleep instantly when in a moving car, but I thought I would make good use of my 2.5 hour ride this time. While I can’t say I wasted my time (because my only other option was sleeping in the car), I can’t say I used it in the best way possible either. I had other books I could have read. If this book had been longer and left me with the same feeling at the end, I would have been furious with the time I spent reading it. But since I really didn’t have anything else to do, I say it was ok. Not one I would re-read or recommend to anyone, but ok.
I really wanted to like this book. I promise I did. I haven’t read any selkie stories, so I was pretty stoked when I found this one on the shelf at the library. I also thought the hidden references to Irish and Celtic mythology was promising. In fact, I was a little excited… but then I started reading the book. Whoa Nelly.
The story is ok. It’s not all that exciting, but it wasn’t horrific either. There was a plot and a few interesting characters that made things lively. I’ll be honest though, some parts of this book just freaked me out. For instance, right up front when the old man finds the baby in the water and brings her home. What happens? His wife tries to breastfeed the babe to “see how it feels” (direct quote) and magically starts lactating. Now, this woman is described as someone in her 50s or older. I was totally freaked out by that scene. It just screams psycho in my mind, but whatever. I’m sure that scene was found someone in mythology, or at least I hope it was because it was too weird otherwise.
I did enjoy searching for the parts of the story that were based on mythology. The author did a really good job of weaving everything together so that it became difficult to tell what was an original idea and what was myth. I was already familiar with the story of Sedna from Inuit mythology, so when the crazy lady told Gioga about how her kinfolk (the seals) were made, I got that reference right away. The flip side of this is, however, that since this story is based on so many different myths from various cultures, it feels choppy in some places. There were just key parts of the plot that didn’t fit perfectly. And with only 128 pages, it was hard to form any connections to the characters. They all felt flat. In fact, it read like a myth in the fact that it’s a telling of events and not a story per se.
I read this book in a few hours while riding in the car on my way to Orlando. Normally I fall asleep instantly when in a moving car, but I thought I would make good use of my 2.5 hour ride this time. While I can’t say I wasted my time (because my only other option was sleeping in the car), I can’t say I used it in the best way possible either. I had other books I could have read. If this book had been longer and left me with the same feeling at the end, I would have been furious with the time I spent reading it. But since I really didn’t have anything else to do, I say it was ok. Not one I would re-read or recommend to anyone, but ok.
February 17, 2014
I recently read Siobhan Dowd's Ransom of Dond, a tale told in the style and form of a traditional tale. This is similar - based itself on the stories of the selkie, seals who change form into humans. I'm afraid I found myself struggling with this.
I listened to the audio version, read by Sian Phillips. At only two hours, it felt much longer.
Berlie Doherty certainly doesn't write down to children. But the appeal of a tale like this is going to be very limited. I read it in advance of my Junior Book Group all reading a Doherty book. While I might say that the language is beautiful, the writing evocative, it's also a little bit (and I hate to say it) dull. I've read and loved Street Child and know Doherty's range but I'll be hard-pushed to manage to 'sell' this to my group.
It concerns a childless couple who long for a baby and whose wish appears to be granted by the appearance of a little girl from the sea. But she is destined to be discovered a selkie, a seal in human form. It's a tale that works well as a short folk tale. But for me didn't work as a longer one. Very sorry Berlie, as I'm looking forward to trying some of your others!
I listened to the audio version, read by Sian Phillips. At only two hours, it felt much longer.
Berlie Doherty certainly doesn't write down to children. But the appeal of a tale like this is going to be very limited. I read it in advance of my Junior Book Group all reading a Doherty book. While I might say that the language is beautiful, the writing evocative, it's also a little bit (and I hate to say it) dull. I've read and loved Street Child and know Doherty's range but I'll be hard-pushed to manage to 'sell' this to my group.
It concerns a childless couple who long for a baby and whose wish appears to be granted by the appearance of a little girl from the sea. But she is destined to be discovered a selkie, a seal in human form. It's a tale that works well as a short folk tale. But for me didn't work as a longer one. Very sorry Berlie, as I'm looking forward to trying some of your others!
October 5, 2010
Like the other book I've read by author Berlie Doherty, THE SNAKE-STONE, this was an adoption story-- but very different. Munroe is caught in a storm in his fishing boat, off the remote island in the north of Scotland that is his home. He returns to his wife Jannet with a baby he has rescued from the sea. They name the child Gioga. Her story of growing up with divided feelings between her loving family and the draw of the sea may resonate with children who were adopted in more traditional ways. Woven through with selkie legends, it's a strong, compelling tale, not easily resolved, similar in it's style of telling to THE MERMAID SUMMER by Mollie Hunter, which I read earlier this summer.
September 6, 2019
Atmospheric, mysterious and magical story about selkies from old Irish legends.
This is simple, quite quick paced story. The writing is beautiful and simple at the same time, not too descriptive yet a little bit metaphorical.
Some themes in the story are search for identity, wanting to belong, becoming your own person, grief.
If you're interested in mythology about selkies, I recommend this book - it is a very quick read anyway.
This is simple, quite quick paced story. The writing is beautiful and simple at the same time, not too descriptive yet a little bit metaphorical.
Some themes in the story are search for identity, wanting to belong, becoming your own person, grief.
If you're interested in mythology about selkies, I recommend this book - it is a very quick read anyway.
September 11, 2016
An enchanting and captivating short story based on selkie mythology.
While this is only a simple story it fully sucked me in and whisked me into this world of ancient tales of the sea and its inhabitants.
Overall it’s a short and sweet read (well maybe not too sweet, I’ve always thought it was rather haunting) but it’s definitely worth a read.
While this is only a simple story it fully sucked me in and whisked me into this world of ancient tales of the sea and its inhabitants.
Overall it’s a short and sweet read (well maybe not too sweet, I’ve always thought it was rather haunting) but it’s definitely worth a read.
November 27, 2008
It's a tale with the grief of adults written in a simple way for children. Still, these are the stories told to young ones through the years. The author really did use variations of many stories from Ireland, Scotland, and Iceland. Pretty awesome really.
October 27, 2007
Great selkie story!
November 23, 2007
This is book isn't funny at all but good cause it really sad and some points scary the end isnt just happy but its sad aswell overall i give it 5 stars beacuse its really good and captivating.
Read
May 25, 2008Based on a combination of fairy tales of the sea from several northern countries.
April 18, 2012
I don't really want to write want to type about what happened in the story but it wasn't to good but quite.
March 2, 2013
Schitterend boek over de onontkoombaarheid van het lot. Leest als een betoverend sprookje. Bij de derde keer lezen nog altijd even prachtig!
June 23, 2013
This book is so dear to me. I read it when I was 14 and it has been with me ever since. Is a beautiful historia about the sea.
September 21, 2016
Already read it 100 times, good book for beginners in reading, a first grader could read it in a month.It only took me a day.
February 15, 2022
Amazing. I've always loved stories about selkies and shapeshifters other than werewolves. This was a great short story that I'm going to keep in my bookshelves.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews