On Eagles' Wings

by Sue Mayfield

Tony's mother is dying. There's nothing he can do about it and he can't always put a brave face on things. Often he wishes he could just fly away from everything, like an eagle, powerful and free. Gradually, through his experiences, Tony begins to understand that death can sometimes bring freedom. A very readable and sensitive story about growing up, family relationships, and facing bereavement. First published as I Carried You on Eagles' Wings.

Genres: Young Adult

138 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1990

About the author

Sue Mayfield has written eight novels for young adults including 'I Carried You on Eagles’ Wings', 'Blue' and 'Damage'. Her first historical novel 'Hill of the Angels' will be published in June 2016. Many of her stories are about young people overcoming difficulties and explore themes of loss, friendship and forgiveness. She is currently working on a story about the healing relationship between a girl and a horse. As well as fiction, Sue has written two non-fiction books about bereavement. Originally a teacher, and now a professional counsellor, Sue facilitates other people’s writing in a wide range of places including schools, museums, hospitals and GP practices. She is particularly interested in the relationship between words and health and helps people ‘write themselves well’ in her private practice ‘finding words’ and at Maggie’s Centre, Cheltenham.. She is currently writer in residence for 'Beyond Words' a joint project for young people organised by Cheltenham Festival and Gloucestershire Hospitals Education Service.

Reviews

[Dean McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I carried you on eagles wings is an extremely satisfying read. I first read this book when I was around 8 years old and have continued to read it again and again over the years. Thank you for many hours of entertainment. Very well written and captivating.

[Carl Sagstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a teen and wanted to give it another go since I’d emoted it so much then.
A sweet story of love between a boy and his dying mother, and the injured gull he was help recuperate.
Plenty of teary moments, but maybe that was just hayfever…

[SBC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tony is a nice kid, whose Dad is the local priest and whose Mum has multiple sclerosis. Ever since he was a kid, he's helped her use the loo, feed her, etc. He loves her and he notices his Dad isn't affectionate towards her in recent years, bears her like a cross, doesn't seem to love her anymore. Tony thinks his mum loves the biblical verse of the eagle, but really he loves it and it makes her feel worse (Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint).

Tony finds a seagull whom he nurses back to health. His best mate he has little in common with but they play ball together, he's on the team and very good. His mate is embarrassed to be around his mum. His Mum feels bad about herself too and in the end decides to let pneumonia kill her. Meanwhile, he meets Clare at school who is different to the other girls, not artificially feminine, and thoughtful. They both love Bono and U2. He also breaks his leg partway through.

The story is about his mum dying and his love for his mum but resentment of the lack of a mum-like mum and his resentment of his father's lack of love for his mum. But after mum dies he realises his father does love her. It's all very complicated!

There are parallels between his mum and the seagull. In the biblical verse, he feels his mum is the eagle - he wants her to soar, to not be trapped in her body as she is (she rode horses and was passionate and physical in the past) (18); the wheelchair as a cage (but also her body as a cage) (60); the seagull flies, representing the freedom of his mother's spirit, but also the freedom and reconnection of Tony and his Dad, who were also caged by his mum's disease - i.e. couldn't do things, go places, live lives like other families and people.

Not sure about the representation of illness/disability in this book...