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The Eye of the Reindeer
An alternate cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.
Shortly after her thirteenth birthday, Ritva is sent away to Seili, an island in the far north of Finland. A former leper colony, Seili is now home to 'hopeless cases' - to women the doctors call mad. But Ritva knows she doesn't belong there. As biting winter follows biting winter, she longs to be near to her sister, and wonders why her father ever allowed her to be taken to this desolate place.
Hope arrives in the form of Martta, a headstrong girl who becomes Ritva's only friend. Martta is a Sami, from the north. All through her childhood, Ritva's mother told her wonderful Sami legends and tales - of Vaja the reindeer, the stolen sealskin, of a sacred drum hidden long ago. When Ritva and Martta decide to make their escape, this is where they will head.
So begins an odyssey over frozen sea and land towards a place where healing and forgiveness can grow. This is a story about friendship, about seeing the world through a different perspective, and the stories and tales that can make up a life.
Shortly after her thirteenth birthday, Ritva is sent away to Seili, an island in the far north of Finland. A former leper colony, Seili is now home to 'hopeless cases' - to women the doctors call mad. But Ritva knows she doesn't belong there. As biting winter follows biting winter, she longs to be near to her sister, and wonders why her father ever allowed her to be taken to this desolate place.
Hope arrives in the form of Martta, a headstrong girl who becomes Ritva's only friend. Martta is a Sami, from the north. All through her childhood, Ritva's mother told her wonderful Sami legends and tales - of Vaja the reindeer, the stolen sealskin, of a sacred drum hidden long ago. When Ritva and Martta decide to make their escape, this is where they will head.
So begins an odyssey over frozen sea and land towards a place where healing and forgiveness can grow. This is a story about friendship, about seeing the world through a different perspective, and the stories and tales that can make up a life.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 27, 2024
A sixteen year old girl is committed to an asylum on an old abandoned leper colony site. The asylum is full of many dangers - the wardens, the inmates and the cold. Alone and afraid, Ritva doesn’t know who to trust.
Ritva bonds with a Sami inmate and hears many tales of their traditions, which appeal to her. With the premise set, the rest of the book covers Sami culture through storytelling and encounter.
I enjoyed learning about the Sami ways and insights as well as the bond they have with the animals, land and tokens.
I was addicted to this book throughout and enjoyed the intensity of the circumstances involving the pursuit to freedom at its huge cost.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes learning about traditional cultures, prison stories or womens rights issues.
Ritva bonds with a Sami inmate and hears many tales of their traditions, which appeal to her. With the premise set, the rest of the book covers Sami culture through storytelling and encounter.
I enjoyed learning about the Sami ways and insights as well as the bond they have with the animals, land and tokens.
I was addicted to this book throughout and enjoyed the intensity of the circumstances involving the pursuit to freedom at its huge cost.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes learning about traditional cultures, prison stories or womens rights issues.
December 7, 2016
Some books make a lasting impression and I think this is definitely one of them. This was a tale of epic proportions, spanning many years and miles, and was gripping and deeply moving. The characters are so vivid, as are the descriptions of the landscapes they journey through. At times the suffering in the novel feels desolate but this only serves to make Ritva and Martta's ultimate liberation even more beautiful. It's a celebration of the human spirit and our connection to nature.
November 28, 2016
I received a copy of this title from Hachette Australia for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
An epic journey toward freedom of body and self, spanning more than 30 years. When Ritva is sent to Seili Asylum as a young girl, she could not have imagined the life-changing challenges that she would face in order to claim her freedom and the chance to be her true self.
Wowsers, what an epic! I had absolutely no idea when I started reading this book that it would span such a long time period and feature an unbelievable journey, both in foot miles and in growth of characters. Ritva is a young woman in 1913 when she is shipped off to Seili, an asylum set on an island in the freezing north, and home to women that have been deemed (correctly or incorrectly) difficult cases. The daughter of a pastor, Ritva has long experienced strange dreams and visions, and it is only when she meets Martta, a young Sami woman imprisoned with her, that she discovers that her dreams may be related to legends of the Northern Sami people. After a daring escape, Ritva and Martta are caught up in a journey toward physical freedom from Seili, and the emotional journey of dealing with family history, sexuality and who they really want to be.
The book is broken into a number of parts that correspond with certain legs of the journeys that the girls - and then later on, women - take. The story begins with Ritva's time on Seili and we are given certain glimpses into her past and the reasons why her father may have had her committed in the first place. This family mystery continues throughout much of the book until it is brought to a shocking, yet satisfying conclusion about two-thirds of the way through. After this, Ritva tries to carve out a place for herself to belong and untangle the pressures of expectation and desire that have weighed her down.
I haven't read a book like this in quite a long time, if ever. The Eye of the Reindeer is totally focused on Ritva as she faces incredible challenges throughout her life. The pace is quite slow, despite the fact that the story begins in Ritva's adolescence and ends after her middle age, and yet I found each section totally absorbing while I was reading it. I think my favourite part of the book was Ritva and Martta's escape from Seili, their unconventional modes of transport and the suspense of potential recapture set against such a hostile environment. The setting in Scandinavia and the lands at the top of the world was so well described as to almost be a character in itself and I was fascinated by the details relating to the indigenous people of this region - the Sami - and their way of life. The author leaves some notes after the story is finished about the Sami and their current predicament for those who wish to find out more.
This book certainly won't be for everyone, given the depth in which it explores difficult subjects like abuse, abandonment and betrayal, and the slow unfolding of the narrative, and certainly isn't one that, had I known in advance how hefty the story would feel, I would probably have ever picked up. The atmosphere is quite tense in some parts and particularly gloomy in others, but for the most part there is an undercurrent of hope and determination that spurred me on to find out how Ritva's story might end. Overall though, I am so happy to have read Ritva's story and was completely absorbed in her life as it unfolded.
If you have a space in your schedule in the next few months which could be filled with a vast, sprawling landscape and a young woman slowly picking her way towards truth over the course of an incredible life, then I would definitely recommend you have a go at The Eye of the Reindeer.
Plus, the author has a rhyming first and surname.
That's always a bonus.
Ten Second Synopsis:
An epic journey toward freedom of body and self, spanning more than 30 years. When Ritva is sent to Seili Asylum as a young girl, she could not have imagined the life-changing challenges that she would face in order to claim her freedom and the chance to be her true self.
Wowsers, what an epic! I had absolutely no idea when I started reading this book that it would span such a long time period and feature an unbelievable journey, both in foot miles and in growth of characters. Ritva is a young woman in 1913 when she is shipped off to Seili, an asylum set on an island in the freezing north, and home to women that have been deemed (correctly or incorrectly) difficult cases. The daughter of a pastor, Ritva has long experienced strange dreams and visions, and it is only when she meets Martta, a young Sami woman imprisoned with her, that she discovers that her dreams may be related to legends of the Northern Sami people. After a daring escape, Ritva and Martta are caught up in a journey toward physical freedom from Seili, and the emotional journey of dealing with family history, sexuality and who they really want to be.
The book is broken into a number of parts that correspond with certain legs of the journeys that the girls - and then later on, women - take. The story begins with Ritva's time on Seili and we are given certain glimpses into her past and the reasons why her father may have had her committed in the first place. This family mystery continues throughout much of the book until it is brought to a shocking, yet satisfying conclusion about two-thirds of the way through. After this, Ritva tries to carve out a place for herself to belong and untangle the pressures of expectation and desire that have weighed her down.
I haven't read a book like this in quite a long time, if ever. The Eye of the Reindeer is totally focused on Ritva as she faces incredible challenges throughout her life. The pace is quite slow, despite the fact that the story begins in Ritva's adolescence and ends after her middle age, and yet I found each section totally absorbing while I was reading it. I think my favourite part of the book was Ritva and Martta's escape from Seili, their unconventional modes of transport and the suspense of potential recapture set against such a hostile environment. The setting in Scandinavia and the lands at the top of the world was so well described as to almost be a character in itself and I was fascinated by the details relating to the indigenous people of this region - the Sami - and their way of life. The author leaves some notes after the story is finished about the Sami and their current predicament for those who wish to find out more.
This book certainly won't be for everyone, given the depth in which it explores difficult subjects like abuse, abandonment and betrayal, and the slow unfolding of the narrative, and certainly isn't one that, had I known in advance how hefty the story would feel, I would probably have ever picked up. The atmosphere is quite tense in some parts and particularly gloomy in others, but for the most part there is an undercurrent of hope and determination that spurred me on to find out how Ritva's story might end. Overall though, I am so happy to have read Ritva's story and was completely absorbed in her life as it unfolded.
If you have a space in your schedule in the next few months which could be filled with a vast, sprawling landscape and a young woman slowly picking her way towards truth over the course of an incredible life, then I would definitely recommend you have a go at The Eye of the Reindeer.
Plus, the author has a rhyming first and surname.
That's always a bonus.
March 13, 2017
I don't normally write a lengthy review. I either love or hate a book. I don't like pulling apart the characters, the environment, the writing structure or the author. I read for the love & enjoyment of just reading. I love loosing myself in a book & this one is one of those for me. I was transported to the land of the midnight sun. I loved the way this was written. The awakening of self by Ritva throughout was well written & portrayed especially in that era. The description of the winter's beauty as well as its bleakness made me want to snuggle down under a woolen blanket even though it's summer for me. This is my first Eva Weaver novel & I will be looking forward to reading her others
February 13, 2018
I was interested in the Finnish and Sami tribe elements of this book. This was the reason I picked it up in my local library. It’s a light read, and fast paced.
A young girl Ritva is sent to a mental asylum on the island of Seili, this asylum was a real place in Finland. She escapes with her friend Martta, they head North in search of the Sami people. Ritva eventually returns to her family home to try to understand why she was sent away.
This story covers lots of themes, such as sexual abuse, love between women, learning survival skills and the evolution of a young woman. Ritva eventually becomes a strong, independent woman, who learns to survive the harsh conditions of Scandinavia, but the journey along the way is hard and full of sacrifices.
A young girl Ritva is sent to a mental asylum on the island of Seili, this asylum was a real place in Finland. She escapes with her friend Martta, they head North in search of the Sami people. Ritva eventually returns to her family home to try to understand why she was sent away.
This story covers lots of themes, such as sexual abuse, love between women, learning survival skills and the evolution of a young woman. Ritva eventually becomes a strong, independent woman, who learns to survive the harsh conditions of Scandinavia, but the journey along the way is hard and full of sacrifices.
January 4, 2020
Fascinating for its detail about the Sami culture and lifestyle and makes me want to know more. Its also a believable and lovely love story that had its origins in the hell of an early last century mental institution.
October 27, 2022
A heartbreaking yet heartwarming tale of love, tragic secrets and hope. I could not put it down!!
January 7, 2018
2.5: Interesting culturally about the Saami people in Finland but horribly wooden dialogues and clunky storytelling at times.
March 9, 2022
4.5 stars
In 1913 when Ritva is sixteen, she is sent away to the Finnish island of Seili, which is home to an asylum of sorts for women, where “hopeless cases” are sent. Although Ritva is hiding some traumatic secrets, she knows she is not “mad” and that she doesn’t belong there.
She befriends Martta, a Sami girl who becomes her only friend. After spending a few years on Seili and noticing that not one woman ever gets to leave, Ritva and Martta plan a daring escape which involves them having to navigate across frozen seas towards the land of the Sami where Martta grew up and which Ritva feels a strong affinity with - having grown up being told stories about them by her mother….and her own strange and vivid dreams.
Although this book covers some traumatic terrain in the form of child abuse, abandonment and discrimination and the poor treatment of the Sami people of northern Scandinavia, this is for the most part, a beautiful story about the Sami people, their culture and their lifestyle which I found captivating.
The Sami people have a strong connection to nature and their intuition, which sounds quite spiritual in its expression. I enjoyed every aspect and detail regarding their lifestyle, reindeer herding and the deep respect held for Mother Nature in everything they do. The author has definitely brought this culture to life and has made me want to learn more.
I initially thought this was going to be my first 5 star read of the year, but I am going to take half a star off for the protracted romance (thankfully a more background storyline) which I just grew impatient with, but apart from that this was a beautiful story from which I learnt a lot. I won’t be forgetting this book any time soon! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
In 1913 when Ritva is sixteen, she is sent away to the Finnish island of Seili, which is home to an asylum of sorts for women, where “hopeless cases” are sent. Although Ritva is hiding some traumatic secrets, she knows she is not “mad” and that she doesn’t belong there.
She befriends Martta, a Sami girl who becomes her only friend. After spending a few years on Seili and noticing that not one woman ever gets to leave, Ritva and Martta plan a daring escape which involves them having to navigate across frozen seas towards the land of the Sami where Martta grew up and which Ritva feels a strong affinity with - having grown up being told stories about them by her mother….and her own strange and vivid dreams.
Although this book covers some traumatic terrain in the form of child abuse, abandonment and discrimination and the poor treatment of the Sami people of northern Scandinavia, this is for the most part, a beautiful story about the Sami people, their culture and their lifestyle which I found captivating.
The Sami people have a strong connection to nature and their intuition, which sounds quite spiritual in its expression. I enjoyed every aspect and detail regarding their lifestyle, reindeer herding and the deep respect held for Mother Nature in everything they do. The author has definitely brought this culture to life and has made me want to learn more.
I initially thought this was going to be my first 5 star read of the year, but I am going to take half a star off for the protracted romance (thankfully a more background storyline) which I just grew impatient with, but apart from that this was a beautiful story from which I learnt a lot. I won’t be forgetting this book any time soon! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
January 13, 2019
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
I might even up my rating to 4 stars. The Eye of the Reindeer is one of those books that leaves you thinking about it long after you've finished. Despite the pretty cover, the novel delves into some pretty deep topics: asylums for "mad" women, child abuse, f/f relationships in the early 20th century, and the treatment of the indigenous Sami people who inhabit north Scandinavia. Luckily, these seemingly morose themes are counterbalanced by light writing that is full of heart and the story is propelled by hope.
I am always interested in stories that take me somewhere new or foreign. This one took me to Finland and Sapmi (an area encompassing northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and a small part of Russia). Funnily enough, not long before receiving this book I watched a documentary on Russia and caught a small glimpse into the life of reindeer herders there so I already had a point of reference to relate to.
Time moves fairly quickly in The Eye of the Reindeer with the whole book spanning over 30 years of Ritva's life, beginning when she is about 16 and sent to an asylum on Seili, a Finnish island. Here she meets Martta, a strong and capable Sami woman who Ritva is drawn to. Life in the asylum is hard and Ritva is glad to have found a companion in Martta but she longs to return to her sister in Turku after confronting memories of her own past. The book is also very spiritual, with Ritva's soul being called to by an ancient Sami drum.
I really enjoyed learning about the Sami people, their connection to nature and their way of life. Books always get extra points for teaching me something new so big thanks to Kara for gifting me with this book that I'm still thinking about days later.
I might even up my rating to 4 stars. The Eye of the Reindeer is one of those books that leaves you thinking about it long after you've finished. Despite the pretty cover, the novel delves into some pretty deep topics: asylums for "mad" women, child abuse, f/f relationships in the early 20th century, and the treatment of the indigenous Sami people who inhabit north Scandinavia. Luckily, these seemingly morose themes are counterbalanced by light writing that is full of heart and the story is propelled by hope.
I am always interested in stories that take me somewhere new or foreign. This one took me to Finland and Sapmi (an area encompassing northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and a small part of Russia). Funnily enough, not long before receiving this book I watched a documentary on Russia and caught a small glimpse into the life of reindeer herders there so I already had a point of reference to relate to.
Time moves fairly quickly in The Eye of the Reindeer with the whole book spanning over 30 years of Ritva's life, beginning when she is about 16 and sent to an asylum on Seili, a Finnish island. Here she meets Martta, a strong and capable Sami woman who Ritva is drawn to. Life in the asylum is hard and Ritva is glad to have found a companion in Martta but she longs to return to her sister in Turku after confronting memories of her own past. The book is also very spiritual, with Ritva's soul being called to by an ancient Sami drum.
I really enjoyed learning about the Sami people, their connection to nature and their way of life. Books always get extra points for teaching me something new so big thanks to Kara for gifting me with this book that I'm still thinking about days later.
August 3, 2018
Well, it’s not what expected, which means there was lots to discover in this story. There’s heartbreak, cruelty and a fierce determination to endure/survive everything that can be thrown at you at such a young age. I learned about the Sami herdsmen of Finland and fell in love with Greyheart. Definitely worth a read.
June 20, 2018
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, after that it went a bit downhill for me
July 6, 2019
The Eye of the Reindeer by Eva Weaver was a very interesting read. It’s an extraordinary multi layered book that you can read just for the story of two girls trying to find their place in the world; or you can consider the insightful and educational undertone that deals with the deplorable treatment of the Sami people.
On the surface, it’s the story of two girls, Rivitta and Martta who meet at a mental asylum in southern Finland. After making their daring escape, they struggle to survive the harsh Finnish winter and travel to Northern Finland to return to their Sami roots. However, when Martta declares her love Rivitta, Rivitta doesn’t know how to take it and Martta flees with shame. Years later, they meet again. It’s now early in the 20th Century, but homosexuality is still frowned upon. Will the reindeer herders accept their relationship or will they both remain searching for something they can never have?
While the story has a happy ending, it stayed with me afterwards due to the very clever way that Weaver was able to incorporate the history and treatment of the Sami people throughout the novel, especially in the second half. Whilst factual, it doesn’t read like a history lesson, but rather, makes you think. It reminded me a lot of the novel Terra Nullius by Claire G. Coleman in the sense that it highlights the deplorable treatment of Indigenous people through the work of fiction rather than non-fiction writing.
Whether you read it simply for the story that is well written, with an intriguing plot and great characters; or want to take away something more, I highly recommend The Eye of the Reindeer.
On the surface, it’s the story of two girls, Rivitta and Martta who meet at a mental asylum in southern Finland. After making their daring escape, they struggle to survive the harsh Finnish winter and travel to Northern Finland to return to their Sami roots. However, when Martta declares her love Rivitta, Rivitta doesn’t know how to take it and Martta flees with shame. Years later, they meet again. It’s now early in the 20th Century, but homosexuality is still frowned upon. Will the reindeer herders accept their relationship or will they both remain searching for something they can never have?
While the story has a happy ending, it stayed with me afterwards due to the very clever way that Weaver was able to incorporate the history and treatment of the Sami people throughout the novel, especially in the second half. Whilst factual, it doesn’t read like a history lesson, but rather, makes you think. It reminded me a lot of the novel Terra Nullius by Claire G. Coleman in the sense that it highlights the deplorable treatment of Indigenous people through the work of fiction rather than non-fiction writing.
Whether you read it simply for the story that is well written, with an intriguing plot and great characters; or want to take away something more, I highly recommend The Eye of the Reindeer.
June 12, 2022
There were some valuable themes in this book (mistreatment of women, child abuse, a lesbian relationship, loss of indigenous culture, connection to nature, etc), for which I think it should have more than one star, but unfortunately I found the writing style mediocre and overly simplistic. The descriptions were predictable and a little cliched at times, the dialogue was very ordinary and some scenes were actually cringeworthy, and it didn't succeed as a historical novel, as it lacked an evocation of time and place. Overall it lacked depth, and read like a YA novel, not an adult one. The story had promise, but the execution was so very disappointing.
August 19, 2020
I read this book in 2 days. I loved it. It didn’t get 5 stars because it read more like a YA fiction which I like usually, but I think it could have been slightly more polished and perhaps the ending could have happened a decade sooner in the women’s lives. But I loved the story, it was beautiful, tragic and kept me reading right to the last page. Highly recommend!
July 9, 2019
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LIFETIME TO FIND YOUR WAY HOME" Pretty much devoured this book, couldn't put it down yesterday! Loved the almost magical world that was created by author and how bursts of reality crash into it, catching you unawares.
July 20, 2020
The Eye of the Reindeer follows Ritva and Martta, two young girls who have been condemned to an asylum in Finland. The story follows their escape to Sapmi.
The book brings to life early 20th century Finland and the stigma held against the Sami, and women in general.
The book brings to life early 20th century Finland and the stigma held against the Sami, and women in general.
December 27, 2019
Thoroughly recommended
Beautifully written. Such poetic language. Opened my eyes to the beauty of the Sami people and the difficulties that they face.
Beautifully written. Such poetic language. Opened my eyes to the beauty of the Sami people and the difficulties that they face.
May 2, 2020
Really loved
Read
June 23, 2017Trigger warning. This book certainly won’t be for everyone, given the depth in which it explores difficult subjects like abuse, abandonment and betrayal.
The first thing that got me interested in reading The Eye of the Reindeer was that it was a book not set in USA or England. This may sound like a petty reason but in honesty, sometimes that alone can be a welcome change of pace.
This book is fundamentally about both the strength of friendships and how that friendship can influence your path in life. This book spans a very long period of time in Finland. The characters undergo a personal journey of survival and discover the strength of their inner selves.
Rivta and Martta are young women in 1913, who are sent to an asylum set on an island in the freezing north, and home to women that have been deemed (correctly or incorrectly) difficult cases and mad. Rivta is the daughter of a Pastor who, for as long as she can remember, has been experiencing strange dreams and visions. It is only through her relationship with Martta (a young Sami women) that Rivta discovers that her dreams may be related to legends of the Northern Sami people. After a daring escape, Ritva and Martta are caught up in a quest toward physical freedom from Seili, and the emotional journey of dealing with family history, sexuality and who they really want to be. They become inseparable, and learn how to live and work together in harrowing situations.
Throughout this story we catch glimpses of their past and the reasons why they may have been committed to the asylum in the first place. This is a mystery that the reader puzzles together from beginning to end. At the end of the book these characters have grown through finding their true place and or where they feel most comfortable and belong.
The writing in this book however, was not the greatest (and that's putting it mildly). When the author basically copies and pastes sentences for example, "Bundle" [of clothes] was used multiple times on a page throughout the story, as though no other words or turns of phrase existed. Throughout a whole book it can get rather wearisome... Ditto for using the exact same words to describe things over and over. Other words and even the humble pronoun exist to describe such things. When I can get to the point of skipping over entire paragraphs because the same sentences are used over and over again...Yeah, that's bad writing and definitely impacts on the engagement of a book and overall impacts my thoughts on such a book.
Even though this book's atmosphere at times was quite tense and dealing with some hard themes I felt, for the most part there was an undercurrent of hope and determination that I enjoyed reading and will remember that most of all about Reindeer
Overall, I am glad I picked this up. Well worth a read.
The first thing that got me interested in reading The Eye of the Reindeer was that it was a book not set in USA or England. This may sound like a petty reason but in honesty, sometimes that alone can be a welcome change of pace.
This book is fundamentally about both the strength of friendships and how that friendship can influence your path in life. This book spans a very long period of time in Finland. The characters undergo a personal journey of survival and discover the strength of their inner selves.
Rivta and Martta are young women in 1913, who are sent to an asylum set on an island in the freezing north, and home to women that have been deemed (correctly or incorrectly) difficult cases and mad. Rivta is the daughter of a Pastor who, for as long as she can remember, has been experiencing strange dreams and visions. It is only through her relationship with Martta (a young Sami women) that Rivta discovers that her dreams may be related to legends of the Northern Sami people. After a daring escape, Ritva and Martta are caught up in a quest toward physical freedom from Seili, and the emotional journey of dealing with family history, sexuality and who they really want to be. They become inseparable, and learn how to live and work together in harrowing situations.
Throughout this story we catch glimpses of their past and the reasons why they may have been committed to the asylum in the first place. This is a mystery that the reader puzzles together from beginning to end. At the end of the book these characters have grown through finding their true place and or where they feel most comfortable and belong.
The writing in this book however, was not the greatest (and that's putting it mildly). When the author basically copies and pastes sentences for example, "Bundle" [of clothes] was used multiple times on a page throughout the story, as though no other words or turns of phrase existed. Throughout a whole book it can get rather wearisome... Ditto for using the exact same words to describe things over and over. Other words and even the humble pronoun exist to describe such things. When I can get to the point of skipping over entire paragraphs because the same sentences are used over and over again...Yeah, that's bad writing and definitely impacts on the engagement of a book and overall impacts my thoughts on such a book.
Even though this book's atmosphere at times was quite tense and dealing with some hard themes I felt, for the most part there was an undercurrent of hope and determination that I enjoyed reading and will remember that most of all about Reindeer
Overall, I am glad I picked this up. Well worth a read.
April 10, 2021
Ambitious story, beyond the abilities of the writer. The purpose of drawing attention to the Sami culture is commendable. The story is too long, too many turns and does not have a chance for finer detail and character development. It’s written like a teenagers’ novel but many elements are not for children. Starts off in a very cliche way. Girl raped, goes mad, sent to asylum, befriends other girl. Has visions and is drawn to North for some unexplained reason. Escape together. Then it gets a bit better - girls embark on epic journey across archipelago to Sweden then up North. Finally girlfriend turns out to lesbian, leaves girl. Girl arrives to Sami, gets accepted into tribe, but after a while escapes and makes way home to rescue sister. Too much twist again - it was father who raped girl, not uncle and after confrontation father hangs himself. Turns out girl’s mother was Sami. Girl takes sister with her to Sami, back to tribe. Soon after leaves tribe to find mother’s family. Finds relatives, settles for long time, becomes reindeer herder. WWII- Germans burn camps, have to escape. Girl adopts two orphans. Accidentally finds long lost friend. Friend ashamed of being lesbian, escapes. After a while girl sets out to find friend, returns with her to tribe, live as family accepted by tribe. Finally the visions with drum seats again and together they set out to find drum in sacred mountain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
Táto kniha bola krásna, ale zároveň veľmi smutná. Je to príbeh mladého dievčaťa, Ritvy, ktorá si počas svojho života musí prejsť veľmi ťažkú cestu, aby našla miesto, kde by sa cítila naozaj doma. Potom, čo ju otec pošle do “domova pre ženy”, ktoré je v skutočnosti psychiatrická liečebňa, sa zrtne jej život drastickým spôsobom. Cez útek a niekoľko ročné skrývanie sa v divokej a drsnej prírode, návrat domov a zrady vlastného otca, hľadanie minulosti svojej mŕtvej matky a predkov a dedičstva, ktoré ju celé tie roky mátajú v snoch.
Kniha sa mi miestami čítala veľmi ťažko. Nebolo v nej mnoho veselých momentov, skôr prevažovali tie smutné. Veľa bolesti a fyzického a najmä psychického utrpenia, hľadanie lásky a domova, ktoré bolo veľmi zdĺhavé a osamelé. Hlavná postava v živote prešla mnohým, musela bojovať s predsudkami a nepochopením, čo jej však pomohlo dospieť do silnej a nezávislej ženy, ktorá sa vedela postarať nielen o seba, ale aj o svojich blízkych. Bolo veľmi pútavé sledovať jej cestu a život Laponcov v kmeňoch žijúcich hlboko v horách, ich vzájomnú lásku a rešpekt k prírode a zvieratám okolo seba. A aj keď to bolo nie veľmi veselé čítanie, The eye of the reindeer je rozhodne jedna z tých kníh, na ktoré len tak ľahko nezabudnem.
Kniha sa mi miestami čítala veľmi ťažko. Nebolo v nej mnoho veselých momentov, skôr prevažovali tie smutné. Veľa bolesti a fyzického a najmä psychického utrpenia, hľadanie lásky a domova, ktoré bolo veľmi zdĺhavé a osamelé. Hlavná postava v živote prešla mnohým, musela bojovať s predsudkami a nepochopením, čo jej však pomohlo dospieť do silnej a nezávislej ženy, ktorá sa vedela postarať nielen o seba, ale aj o svojich blízkych. Bolo veľmi pútavé sledovať jej cestu a život Laponcov v kmeňoch žijúcich hlboko v horách, ich vzájomnú lásku a rešpekt k prírode a zvieratám okolo seba. A aj keď to bolo nie veľmi veselé čítanie, The eye of the reindeer je rozhodne jedna z tých kníh, na ktoré len tak ľahko nezabudnem.
November 27, 2017
This book has been one of my favourite reads this year.
Set in the early 20th century when women really did not have rights as individuals and were governed by their men folk, this book follows Ritva, a 16 year old girl who has been committed to an asylum on an island off the coast of Finland by her father.
Ritva becomes friends with Martta and over time the girls realise they have a connection. They confide their story's to each other and eventually manage to escape the asylum.
The girls head north to find Martta's Sami roots and an adventure with many twists and turns is told.
The book is gritty - both girls have suffered abuse in their own way and nothing comes easy for them, although as the story unfolds, they start to find their rightful place in the world and eventually happiness.
Eva Weaver has written a magical book. I loved the insights into Sami life,culture and folklore and all the beautiful tundra animals.
It is real, uplifting, inspiring and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Written to cast light on the Sami people who face challenges in our modern world today, Eva Weaver does them fine credit.
A soulful and beautiful read, you won't be sorry reading this.
Set in the early 20th century when women really did not have rights as individuals and were governed by their men folk, this book follows Ritva, a 16 year old girl who has been committed to an asylum on an island off the coast of Finland by her father.
Ritva becomes friends with Martta and over time the girls realise they have a connection. They confide their story's to each other and eventually manage to escape the asylum.
The girls head north to find Martta's Sami roots and an adventure with many twists and turns is told.
The book is gritty - both girls have suffered abuse in their own way and nothing comes easy for them, although as the story unfolds, they start to find their rightful place in the world and eventually happiness.
Eva Weaver has written a magical book. I loved the insights into Sami life,culture and folklore and all the beautiful tundra animals.
It is real, uplifting, inspiring and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Written to cast light on the Sami people who face challenges in our modern world today, Eva Weaver does them fine credit.
A soulful and beautiful read, you won't be sorry reading this.
September 26, 2018
I really, really wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved a family trip to Finland a few years ago and I was looking forward to finding out more about the Sami people. I think, for me, I found the story ranged over such a long period of time with such broad brush strokes that it lacked detail and focus - and some of the things we were asked to believe as a reader felt like they were written for a children's story. That's not in relation to the storyline, obviously, but the way in which things were revealed - the scene with Ritva challenging her father about his behaviour is one example, where suddenly he admits everything and then hangs himself. So overall I enjoyed the extra knowledge I gained about a different culture, but it was like two books in one that didn't quite ring true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2018
If ever you want to take a journey with a heroine who doesn't know it, this book
is for you. Mistreated by a family member & condemned to a life in a asylum, her gifts
that put her there, are her way out.
She does not go quietly into that dark night. Insightful & spiritually gifted, she changed her fate
and a companion of hers from living a hellish life. Our heroine is fated for greater things.
If you love a spiritual journey, no matter what you believe or think, this book is a must.
Did you know Women were/are shaman? What about our connection with animals as companion
on our journey.
Take the dive into this excellent adventure. If you have read "Ode to Minoa" by Theresa Dintino,
you will love this different but spiritual path of this braver Woman.
is for you. Mistreated by a family member & condemned to a life in a asylum, her gifts
that put her there, are her way out.
She does not go quietly into that dark night. Insightful & spiritually gifted, she changed her fate
and a companion of hers from living a hellish life. Our heroine is fated for greater things.
If you love a spiritual journey, no matter what you believe or think, this book is a must.
Did you know Women were/are shaman? What about our connection with animals as companion
on our journey.
Take the dive into this excellent adventure. If you have read "Ode to Minoa" by Theresa Dintino,
you will love this different but spiritual path of this braver Woman.
October 6, 2018
A wonderful story that opens your mind to the world of the Sami people and their suffering to preserve their culture and beliefs while others were trying to wipe it out. Ritva"s story, a harsh one before she went to live with the Sami people. Betrayed by her father and sent to an asylum with no hope for release. A harsh unkind world where she comes to realise that she has been sent there for the rest of her life. She must choose to stay or be brave enough to flee with Marta. An amazing story of 2 women and their struggle to be free and to survive. She suffered greatly to eventually discover her true place in the world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2018
Life affirming and magic
I was drawn to this cover the moment I saw it and the story definitely didn't disappoint. A magically life affirming adventure full of challenge, spirituality, overcoming hardship and listening to one's heart. A fantastic insight into Sami culture and tradition. A must read to educate ourselves on the importance of racial and sexual equality. I'm recommending this novel far and wide and can't wait to read Eva Weaver's 'The Puppet Boy of Warsaw' based on this literary masterpiece.
I was drawn to this cover the moment I saw it and the story definitely didn't disappoint. A magically life affirming adventure full of challenge, spirituality, overcoming hardship and listening to one's heart. A fantastic insight into Sami culture and tradition. A must read to educate ourselves on the importance of racial and sexual equality. I'm recommending this novel far and wide and can't wait to read Eva Weaver's 'The Puppet Boy of Warsaw' based on this literary masterpiece.
May 23, 2018
There is a lot to get your teeth into here! Overall a great, involving read with strong characters, yet it is both sad and difficult in places, whilst ultimately uplifting through all those challenges of a whole life,
Fascinating descriptions of the Sami way of life and beliefs, together with some light on the way these peoples were affected by Christianisation for better or worse.
The difficult core of this book is how the daughters were treated by their father, the elder daughter's (our principal character) incarceration in an institution. It's not a comfortable read but necessary for the story and the way it evolves.
Read in hope here for there are twists and turns. Not all in life is positive but ultimately, it works out.
This is not a book you'll forget and that is the thing with great writing, isn't it.....
Fascinating descriptions of the Sami way of life and beliefs, together with some light on the way these peoples were affected by Christianisation for better or worse.
The difficult core of this book is how the daughters were treated by their father, the elder daughter's (our principal character) incarceration in an institution. It's not a comfortable read but necessary for the story and the way it evolves.
Read in hope here for there are twists and turns. Not all in life is positive but ultimately, it works out.
This is not a book you'll forget and that is the thing with great writing, isn't it.....
January 25, 2019
I loved this book which is up there with one of the best I have ever read. I wonder if this was based on a true story?
The description of the landscape was so detailed that I could imagine I was there. The story was so different to other books I have read and the author is to be commended regarding her attention to detail.
This book will stay in my memory for a long time to come. I would definitely recommend it.
Congratulations Eva Weaver
The description of the landscape was so detailed that I could imagine I was there. The story was so different to other books I have read and the author is to be commended regarding her attention to detail.
This book will stay in my memory for a long time to come. I would definitely recommend it.
Congratulations Eva Weaver
August 27, 2019
3 ½ stars.
3 for the writing, which was a bit stilted and awkward at times, and 4 for the story and subject material.
It was really interesting, I’d never heard of the Sami and was googling for info which is always a good sign with a book. The forced sterilisation of Sami women and burning of the villages by the German soldiers were both horrifying but factual events.
Worth the read to learn about the amazing culture and history of the reindeer herders and Sami people of Lappland.
3 for the writing, which was a bit stilted and awkward at times, and 4 for the story and subject material.
It was really interesting, I’d never heard of the Sami and was googling for info which is always a good sign with a book. The forced sterilisation of Sami women and burning of the villages by the German soldiers were both horrifying but factual events.
Worth the read to learn about the amazing culture and history of the reindeer herders and Sami people of Lappland.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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