Ruan

by Bryher

The theme itself is ageless: man's aspiration to be himself and to escape to that kind of life which to him is freedom - the promise of the far isles. Young Ruan, nephew of a high priest, is destined for the priesthood himself. Turbulent and restless for adventure, he feels caged and longs for the high seas. At last he breaks free and sets out on the quest for those islands which are to him both an image and reality. The sights, sounds, passions and ordeals of Celtic Britain filter through Bryher's haunting prose.
(from the jacket cover)

Genres: Historical Fiction, British Literature, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Bryher was the pen name of the novelist, poet, memoirist, and magazine editor Annie Winifred Ellerman.

Reviews

[Jane]

Beautifully written novel of a young man, Ruan, in late 6th century Cornwall. When we meet him he is training as a Celtic priest [the author never uses the actual word Druid]. Ruan feels he is not fitted for that life and runs away to sea. He becomes a crew member of the ship Seagull ; has many adventures; makes new friends; an old friend from his childhood betrays him; and he makes an exciting escape with a Welsh slave from the bogs of Ireland to the forests of Wales. Should he join a Finnish captain and his crew in searching for a fabulous island lying somewhere to the west of Ireland?

I enjoyed this novel very much and read it in a matter of hours. The story was mediocre; Bryher's talents lie in her turns of phrase and her gorgeous evocations of Cornwall, the Scillys, Ireland, and Wales. I felt as though I were there. [Bryher's own nom de plume is the name of one of the Scillys.] Ruan himself was likeable; the other characters not really memorable. I liked his visit to a country fair, where a harper told the story of the folk hero Gawain. As Gawain sails on the most perilous voyage of his life at the end of his story, so Ruan realizes the sea is his life and follows his heart.

[Kit]

Beautiful historical novel FFO LeGuin, Wolfe, Hoban.

[Gordon]

Interesting writing. Not my cup of tea, so to speak.

[Linda]

I loved this book—the adventure, the dream like quality to the writing, just everything about it appealed to me.