The Dollmage

by Martine Leavitt

"Benjamin Franklin Juvenile Young Adult Fiction Award Nomination ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Selection

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Citation"

The Dollmage is the wise woman of Seekvalley. As her powers weaken and age comes upon her, she knows she must chose a successor. On the day she predicts to be the birthday of her chosen one, two girls are born: Annakey and Renoa. One must learn the Dollmage's magic, but which one? She chooses Renoa, but as Annakey grows, she discovers that she, too, has magic. When Seekvalley is threatened by outside forces, Annakey is the only one with a plan to save her people. But how can she ever persuade the Dollmage that she has the power to help? Who will believe her?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Magic, Canada

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

Martine Leavitt has published ten novels for young adults, most recently Calvin, which won the Governor General’s Award of Canada. My Book of Life by Angel was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and winner of the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year. Other titles by Leavitt include Keturah and Lord Death, a finalist for the National Book Award, Tom Finder, winner of the Mr. Christie Award, and Heck Superhero, a finalist for the Governor General’s Award. Her novels have been published in Japan, Korea, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands. Currently she teaches creative writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts, a short-residency MFA program. She lives in High River, Alberta.

Reviews

[Mael Brigde · Rating 5 out of 5]

My gods, what a wonderful book. Insane good writing, gripping story, beautifully realised characters, and themes that go straight to the heart (and conscience). I shall read this one again.

[Sue Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short read that packs a punch. Written through the meandering narrative on the town's mystic, you are introduced to the story near to it's end. As she tells the unshown story of a young woman who is on the verge of being executed by her fellow townsfolk, you get to go back to the beginning. In many ways I found this book to be a primitive telling of Cinderella. Goodness despite being bombarded by cruely and hardship. The difference being that it shows how a 'community' can be part of the problem if lead that way by influential people of the group. It's quite an engrossing story actually and although it's short, it wasn't a super fast read. I found myself pausing often to absorb the situation before continuing on.

I did like that their world was created through the power of art and imagination. That the idea of art, when it's made with joy, has the greatest power of all. It's an interesting concept that probably has alot of truth to it. Any art actually - any craft when done with joy has a power of it's own. It's unconsciously put into the piece at hand and will make that piece stand out above the rest. When you find it too, you know it - as the piece usually resonates in you and you can 'see' that joy in it's quality and details. I did find this book's doll-making smacks of Voodoo-ism at times. But that genre of dollmaking is with power in mind too isn't it? It was a fine line that was handled fairly well for the most part and it made the story all the more intriguing. Lots of subconscious parallels - but I'm not sure if they were deliberately done or not.

It's an interesting concept for a story. I would love to know how the author came up with it - what precipitated it's origin. I'm a little inspired too. It follows ideas that are close to my heart - making lemonade from lemons and putting some soul into art! I like to think that - I too - can create a better place for myself in the world.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

The reason I strongly would not recommend this book is mainly because i felt the perspective wasn't handled very well. Having the story from Dollmage Hobblefoot's perspective keep the main character, and in general most of the characters in the book, at an emotional distance and I was unable to connect with or care for any of the characters on a deeper level. I also thought that writing in this perspective, aide from alienating the characters, also kept the story's relationships - be they romantic, antagonistic, mentor, etc. - from having an impact. In short, it read more like a history excerpt than a story with vibrant characters who lived and breathed.
I also found the pacing slow. There were some wise, profound statements about humanity and human nature, as well as the nature of life in general - in particular I liked one statement that I cannot directly quote about how when one grows wise they no longer wake up with unbounded joy at each new day - however i felt like the book tried to hard to focus on these tidbits and lost the importance of telling an engaging story.
Unlike most other reviewers on here, I did not think the scene they most likely refer to was that shocking - it fit in the context and was handled, well, let's not say tastefully because of the subject, but it was by all means not graphic or explicit. The whole book is intended for older readers, I think, at any rate, and I would say it is 10 or 12 plus, but that is mainly due to the pacing and the serious nature of the story.
In short, I really disliked the distance from the characters, and I thought the (extremely interesting and original) concept wasn't handled very well.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Now listen, and love me anyway."
It is easy to wish that Annakey was the teller of this tale. She is good and kind, and we want to see those qualities in ourselves. It is comfortable to walk through life with such voices in our heads. But sometimes, life makes us take a hard look at ourselves. We come face-t0-face with the realization that we have caused others pain, that we are the villain of someone else's story. Those moments are far less comfortable. We don't like them, but we need them. Because it is only by facing those realities that we grow and become better people. That is the Dollmage's dilemma. When Annakey is sentenced to an unjust death, the Dollmage chooses to reveal the true story--despite what the truth means for the Dollmage's reputation. And that is the question the book leaves us with: when we acknowledge the whole truth, can we love ourselves and each other despite all that? Do we want to be remembered for who we truly were or for the facade we wore so well?
"Remember I told you the truth so that the words and the real might be one again, giving you power. Remember me, and love me anyway."

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is narrated by the Dollmage, the storyteller of Seekvalley - told in first person. The Dollmage alternates talking to the reader and telling the story.

In this valley, promises are always kept and broken promises are punishable by death. Dolls are given at birth, with the promise of what the person's future will hold. As the Dollmage ages and her powers weaken, she must choose a successor. When she chooses the day her successor will be born, two baby girl's are born and a struggle begins.

The story is imaginative and the world building is thorough. I love Martine Leavitt's writing.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I was quite nervous about reading this book because I read on other reviews that there was a really shocking scene and quite a bit of violence, so I prepared myself for the worst... it was enough to make me say that I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone under the age of 12.
Anyways, I thought that it was beautifully written and rather unpredictable and the characters were well-developed. Parts were slightly confusing, but overall it was a great read.

[Amanda]

This was a good book, but later it got rather inapropriate, so i had to stop reading it. this is why i can't give it any stars, cuz i never actually finished it.

[Caydence Pixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinarily interesting world-building and super engaging character development is everywhere in Leavitt’s The Dollmage. The narrator was an interesting and unique choice that made me feel deeply for the plights of main characters Annakey and Renoa throughout this story.


TW: SA

I am incredibly disheartened at the several poor reviews that this novel received due to the inclusion of a rape scene. This was in no way glamorized or erotic, it was very raw and powerful to see Annakey overcome the adversities and deal with the emotions. While it is uncomfortable to think about, it is the sad reality for 1/3 women according to the WHO. It is an important story for women like myself who have experienced violation to see a character overcome this. I feel incredibly empowered by this story and it provided some new healthy perspectives with the creation of the Evil Doll in order to process the hatred and anger.

Personal note:
I have to give a victim impact statement and stand in front of the man who violated me inside of a court room next month and I have been terrified to do this. This book has given me a lot of courage and I am thankful to have read it.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite books, and one of the only books I would rate 100/100.

This story boasts a unique and creative voice. The ostensible main character of the story is not the POV narrator, which tells us something about what Leavitt wants us to understand and gain from reading this. Annakey is the main character of the Dollmage's story, but she is not the main character of this book. Instead, this book is a reflection on human nature, the importance of truth, and the way that humans are an endless font of hope, even in the darkest times and even in the face of great adversity, selfishness, and evil.

The entire story is an exposition of the last great act of bravery of a very selfish and human leader, who did many wrong and bad things yet found the courage to admit her faults and tell the truth when it mattered most.

Absolutely stunning work by Leavitt here.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time coming back to this book the second time I read it. The unsympathetic narrator made it hard to care for any of the characters. I kept reading because I know Martine Leavitt is a good writer, but I didn't enjoy the story even though the magic and the world and the philosophy were well developed.

[Kendalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very similar to Keturah and Lord Death in many ways, but also so much darker. I really enjoyed the simplistic magic system and the language in this was just gorgeous, but I've come to expect no less from Leavitt.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Year: 2002
Age Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy (Pure)

Plot Summary: The village of Seekvalley is led by the Dollmage, one woman with the power to guide and protect her people with her mystical abilities. Two girls, Annakey and Renoa, are born on the same day and both have the potential to be the Dollmage. Even though Renoa is favored to become the Dollmage, Annakey develops her skills as well, often in secret. When outsiders threaten the safety of Seekvalley, both girls form plans to save the village with their abilities, but in the end there can only be one Dollmage.

Red Flags: some minor gore, (discrete) rape scene

My rating: C
This was kind of strange book. The first-person narration made it really hard to imagine the world and setting of the story--it was kind of like watching a movie filmed entirely with close-ups. So I didn't really understand why dolls were the method of controlling and creating the society, and it just came off as random. It's hard to take it seriously when it's weird.

[Phelan Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in elementary school. It was one of those books that really stood out to me, but I wasn't sure if it really existed because I forgot the title and author. I finally tracked it down again in adulthood and reread it.

A short book with an interesting world, and a good message. It has some sexual themes that might not be appropriate for a younger audience (there's an attempted rape scene, and a description of a man experiencing sexual arousal after seeing the female lead nude), in fact I don't think I would actually recommend this book to anyone under the age of sixteen now - despite its length and style more fitting to Middle Grade. I would also be careful and present a warning about the attempted rape, as I could see it being triggering to someone who is sensitive to sexual assault.

With all that said, I still really enjoyed it years after I first read it.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is told from the perspective of the Dollmage the woman who writes the story of her village through crafting "dolls" or totems of each person or thing. The Dollmage is old and must choose between two girls to be her successor. The entirety of the book is the Dollmage directly addressing the villagers of Seekvalley in defense of Annakey, for her broken promise. There is some disturbing content, making this for readers 14 yrs and up. No graphic descriptions. Highly recommended.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dollmage is the wise woman of Seekvalley. On the day she predicts to be the birthday of her successor, two girls are born, leading the dollmage to make a decision that will affect all of the lives in the valley. The wonderful thing about this book is that the characters are not black and white. It’s a fantasy for people who don’t necessarily read fantasies. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for teens under 13 or 14, since there is a fairly graphic scene of violence.

[Lorena Montesinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dollmage written by Martinez leavitt is a book that I really enjoyed that had a connection with me even though is fiction some of the things that happened to her happened to me. As the book advances and she is learning to be a professional dollmage to take care of her village she encounters many things that made her dark for a little while but she understood she was needed by her village so she went back nd became a dollmage. While I was reading this book I felt intrigued? In a way.

[Patti Malcolm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful story, artistically crafted. Just not my cup of tea.

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This probably would have been rated higher for me, but I did not particularly like some of the parts in the story. Near the end of the book, the main character is treated very cruelly and it's horrible. It was really sad because it was well written and I liked the story, but then it was ruined by inappropraite material.

[Stacey Kondla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this novella this morning and read it cover to cover. It is only 157 pages long, but definitely not for kids - I would recommend for older teens to adults, due to violence and a rape. It is a weird sort of fable-like story. I honestly didn't like any of the characters as every one was kind of mean. It was entertaining enough to keep me turning the pages though.

[Taffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martine Leavitt is a gifted storyteller and this book is another example. The main character, the Dollmage, keeps the stories of her village but she is getting old and must name a new Dollmage. 3/4 of the book shows the Dollmage's pride and how it hurts her village. Interesting story idea.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: There is some violence in this book that is really, really shocking. But it is beautifully written and a very moving story.

[Maddieswissmalteser Maddieswissmalteser]

Cant Wait

[whalesister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hate the cover, love the book. Beautiful, as Martine's writing always is. Definitely not for younger readers.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now tied with Little Sister as my favorite book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One scene could have been left out to make it a book I'd encourage my teens to read. Otherwise, a good study of human character.

[AnnaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much wisdom behind this book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story. Disturbing at times, but it's powerful and delivers a good message.

[Desirae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly powerful book. I remember reading it when I was younger and I was completely gripped by the story, and changed by the experience of it.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good!!! just a couple bad parts that made it a four star, but good.

[Denise Prewett · Rating 3 out of 5]

HMMM...interesting, fairly easy read...not sure if I liked it or not...