The Abduction

by Mette Newth

Based on the actual kidnapping of Inuit Eskimos by European traders in the seventeenth century, this story describes the violence inflicted in the name of civilization, while also evoking the beauty of Eskimo life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Mette Cecilie Newth is a Norwegian illustrator, author of children's literature, and organizer. She received the Norwegian Critics Prize for Best children's book.

Reviews

[Nat Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book stays with me through the years. While completing my undergrad in Anthropology, I read many European accounts of Inuit life. None struck me as particularly sympathetic; they were mostly embellishing on pre-contact Inuit culture anyhow. This book I remember as not hiding the realities of life---as not portraying indigenous people of the Arctic as noble or strange or even barbaric, as many are wont to think of Inuit people---but as just people. The barbarity of life in Norway for the captives in this book is one of the single most heartwrenching things I had ever read before high school. As people get older, the realities of the world are opened up and displayed before us, if not forced on us through real contact. I would buy this book for every child I know if only to express to them how brutal human beings can be toward each other and how refusing to recognize humanity in others, no matter how different, causes the majority of the world's sorrows.

[GreenMother · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book by Mette Newth I read was ‘The Dark Light.’ I picked it from the school library (as a teen and I’m three decades older now!) and was so taken by it that I bought it when I graduated and started working.

I came to purchase ‘The Abduction’ later. I admit I picked it up and put it down on two separate occasions. This third time, I finished it.

This book is well written but somewhat slowly paced without allotting to a hard timeline (other than the ship being gone for roughly over a year). The last two chapters were also somewhat confusing and confounding.

While I love the spirit of Newth’s book, I had difficulties connecting to any of our characters. I love that she brought this time in human history to light despite the evil inside it. Those who forget are doomed to repeat.

I like to imagine Osquo and Poq returned to their home uneventfully despite the truths highlighted by the author’s ending comments.

[Eshtemoh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Dutch edition: “De ontvoering”. For quite some months I couldn’t find the author’s name. I finally got it, yaay! I remember that the book impressed me 19,5 years ago.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐

[Jack Elliott]

Pretty good

[Emma Slade · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good

[Marianne Aasen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denne boken, og hvordan den kom inn under min eiendom, er en beskynderlig historie i seg selv. Det begynte med at jeg lånte den av en venn da jeg enda gikk på barneskolen. Etter måneder hvor jeg ikke leste den, bestemte jeg meg for å levere den tilbake. Min venn påsto hardnakket at denne boken ikke var hennes. I lang tid prøvde jeg å finne ut hvem denne boken tilhørte, uten å lykkes. Den ble værende i boksamlingen min, og har siden fulgt meg fra bosted til bosted.
Det var hele tiden min intesjon å kaste eller gi bort boken, men det var som om den insisterte på å bli med meg.
Nå, 10-15år senere fikk jeg det for meg at det var på tide å lese denne boken som jeg har drasset med meg så lenge. Det viste seg å være en rørende bok om to inuitt-barn som blir kidnappet og ført til Europa.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could use one word to describe this book it would be powerful. The struggles that Osquo and Poq through is something no person should have to endure, but they did. I have never scene a stronger heroine as Osquo as unspeakable things become her. The power of this book has achieved a 4 star on my list.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

meh. It was kind of depressing and dark, with mature content.