The Marrow of the World

by Ruth Nichols, Trina Schart Hyman (illustrator)

Philip and Linda, attempting to explore an ancient castle beneath the lake, become involved in another world of witches, evil forces, and Linda's own origins.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Canadian Literature, Witches, Childrens

168 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[JustJen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother read this book to me many years ago ... I remember being somewhat haunted by it. The mermaid(&mermen), the other world, the witch. It was a strong enough memory that as an adult I tracked the book down and bought it for my personal library. I did reread it, and still found it haunting ...

[Maire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in elementary school. Probably somewhere around grade five or six. It stuck in my memory for some reason. It was only a vague recollection of a girl, some sand, and possibly Morgan Le Fay.

Every so often, over the course of a few months, I would head to Google and try to track down more memories. Finally, something struck the right one and I found the book I was looking for. I immediately tracked it down on Amazon and ordered a paperback copy. I think it's now out of print.

The story stands up. It's still entertaining for an adult. I think that if I had kids around the age I originally read it, they would still enjoy it (despite all the modern fantasy that kids these day read, such as the Harry Potter series). Yes, it's a short read, but packs a surprising amount of action into those few pages. I especially like how the Canadian lake country is given a patina of mysticism. Having grown up on the Ottawa River, I can say that there are definitely some fantastic places (and I mean that in the true sense of the word).

If you have a copy at your local library, I'd definitely give it a read. It's a lovely way to spend an afternoon!

[Nick Van der Graaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

After 45 years, I finally had a chance to reread Ruth Nicols’ fantasy novel for young adults, “The Marrow of the World.” First published in 1972, it deservedly received the Canadian Library Association’s award for Book of the Year, and the public library was where I encountered it a couple of years later.

I had only read one other fantasy novel before this one, and was uncritically captivated by the magical world entered by the two teenaged protagonists, Philip and Linda, his adopted cousin. As a child I never noticed the fact that Philip and Linda have no family names, nor appreciated the complex tensions spawned by his love for her.

The story begins in an area very much like Muskoka where Philip is staying at his uncle and aunt’s cottage. He and Linda are canoeing at night when the head of a merman emerges from the lake, regards them silently, and disappears again. It is a singularly unearthly moment which signals that Philip and Linda have unknowingly crossed over into a magic realm.

The book is peppered with moments like this one. Over the course of the story Nichols takes the reader on a wide-ranging journey that includes an underwater castle, a robbers den, a haunted house – several places and situations of unnerving creepiness.

Compared to many fantasy novels Nichols’ prose is very spare – no endless declamations or pages of characters’ ancestry here! In fact the number of characters and different places the kids go is remarkable for such a relatively short book. Perhaps to some degree characterization suffers at the expense of atmosphere, but the characters, good and bad, remained interesting enough.

In the end Philip and Linda must each go on their own perilous mission. As in many fantasy novels, things are brought to a conclusion through a violent confrontation with their chief antagonist, a creature both alarming and pathetic.

As an adult reader I found the changing relationship between Philip and Linda to be the most interesting aspect of the book. It becomes clear fairly early on in their journey that Linda is in fact a native of the world they’re trapped in, and that her return to it has sparked a growing power within her. Philip’s protective love simply becomes beside the point as her power grows and he finds himself resenting, at times even hating her.

I would certainly recommend this book to anyone interested in YA fantasy fiction. It has a refreshingly Canadian setting, and effectively describes a journey of terror and growth that should resonate with Young Adult readers.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this at a local book shop, and it sounded somewhat interesting, so I decided to pick it up. This wasn't anything like I thought it would be.
I soon didn't like Linda. it was mildly irritating when she was going to go underwater, even though she couldn't swim that good. Philip was a good character from the start.
I couldn't connect to Linda, and she was also confusing when she was described as wild. Obviously we find out later in the story what that's about. but I still just didn't like that because she was a witch, she looked wild, and her hair was wild &long &her moodiness &the whole thing. I also didn't like how she stole something in the past.
‘she would change in an instant from her usual quiet movements to a grace that was queenly, arrogant, and wild.’ It's just weird to hear a kid described like this. how can we connect to it?

Wasn’t very surprising; I thought the woman was Morgan the Enchantress.
“you are but a half witch, a bastard.” I'm surprised that word was in here, even being used in this context.
there were so many words in here that were way too advanced for this reading level. In fact, some, at the age of 23, I haven't even heard of! examples:
Fecundity. Avaricious. Auspicious. Profanation. plangent

Linda is annoying from the beginning. She’s Herne's half brother, and doesn’t even say anything. that's another moment when I can't like her as a character. Just because she's a witch, she acts moody, weird, unlikeable, mean, and cruel.

“Harm him, Sister, and you get no help of me!” that was actually nice--I wasn't sure if she'd stand up for poor Philip or not. but here again, she doesn't sound like the little kid she's supposed to be.

How would Linda know this??--“True names are not to be given lightly. First tell us your own.”

Them being swept away from Herne was really annoying. another frustrating part of the book. I was sure he would show up later, but it was still annoying how he was left behind.

She used to let Philip take the blame any time they got in trouble. another way Linda isn't likeable!
She was mean to the merman. For no reason. You don’t have to get forceful and make threats.
She was only 2 weeks old. how can she remember anything at all about her time there?? Just because she's a witch, she has incredible memory?
She gets back to her old world where she was born, starts changing. Immediately believes that she's a witch, no questions asked. starts acting different. I really didn't like that about this book. Yes, she's always looked different (wild) and acted odd, and was in a psych ward as a baby, but living in the normal human world, she accepted this magical world and her witch heritage way too easily. btw how did she end up there? If her mother wanted to protect her, she could have sent her somewhere better. she was either sent directly to the psych ward as an infant by Morgan's magic, or someone found and brought a baby to a psych ward. which is a bizarre place to bring a baby.

“Tell me, Mistress, since there is no one but your friend to hear you. Did you make the child fall?”
“I did. And I could do the same to you.”
Another unlikeable moment!

I know phillip was hit in the head, but I didn’t know it was so serious. Fever sitting in. It seemed pretty dramatic for what I thought was just a conk on the head.

Out of anyone, herne’s dad is also her dad. It’s unnecessary. It was surprising when I heard it, because I hadn't even thought that his woodcutter dad would be the woodcutter Ygerna mentioned. But even though I hadn't seen it coming, it didn't have the big bang it should have. It should have been a huge plot twist, but it didn't.

Philip thought, “It can’t have moved--it’s been here all the time!” In this book, thoughts were put into quotations. They should be italicized.

It wasn’t easy reading this, because the author wrote in an unexpected way, that prevented me from quickly taking in the words. so many times I had to go back and reread sentences because I just wasn't taking in the words. Idk if it's because I just wasn't feeling this book or the plot or the majority of the characters--basically I had to make myself read this--but I just wasn't absorbing the words. I do think it was due to the fact that this author wrote in a way that was old-world. I know this was in the 70s, but I mean old. I remember thinking wow, she's really captured what feels like the medieval time period. kind of how words and sentences are written in a backwards way, that really fits olden days.
this sentence here shows how you have to read slow, because the author writes in a way that doesn't flow; you don't expect the sentence to be written that way.
‘Sometimes she would look fretful, sometimes sad; but at moments her care would vanish, and she would laugh with a gaiety and gentleness Philip had never seen in her in the old days. As for Philip, the exhilaration of returning health filled him with calm delight.’

The description, instead of explaining the age of the children, the location of the book, it goes into the happenings of the book. How old are they?!? Where does this take place??
not enough backstory was given on any of the characters. Philip, for all the book being in his perspective, we knew nothing about. His likes, dislikes? his parents? where is he from?

I’m so confused! 4,000 yrs ago. City of Agade, when Sargon was its king. The great piled ziggurat that men had built to imitate the Sacred Mountain.
what is this?! What kid could grasp this, when at 23, I have no idea what any of that is about.

“we will follow the path marked out. This is not only my sister’s choice, but mine. Do you understand, Philip? I choose it.” “what if I refuse to come with you?” “I could make you, of course.”
There she goes, not acting likeable, and not acting like a kid.

Barkhan saying “I have commanded it; it is sufficient.” was an odd sentence. It didn't make sense to say.

All of a sudden the book’s in Linda’s perspective.
'It took all the courage of which she was capable (and that was a great deal) to go forward without shaking or allowing her wits to grow blunt with fear.’
did she really just say she had a lot of courage? no one should say that about themselves.

The concave barrel-room that consisted of walls of bones.
‘each bone, shining umber with the minerals that had impregnated it, swept pward to the giant spine that formed the roof-tree of the cave.’ Spine, roof-tree?
Wow, I can’t picture this! so odd!


She puts some marrow on her tongue!! WHAT!
‘she swallowed. And for that reason, she lived to a great age.’
why in the world would she do that?! what idiot just tastes that?

‘“she cannot win--it is too strong for her,” thought Philip.’
here we go again, putting thoughts in quotations.

At the end when she says tell my mother, meaning Philip’s aunt, that she loved her, and said “Idt she always knew.” How could she?! you apparently weren't nice to them.

Leo is King Kyril. That was surprising. It didn't get the time it was due, though. Philip finds out he's one and the same, but then BAM he leaves. that scene deserved more time.

I’m surprised she wanted to go back to the regular world. How can she? Did time skip in their world?
Will she be better? Will she have power? Will she live long?

“The lifetime that lies before you will reveal it; yet I will tell you a little. I have set my mark on you. Because of it, you will never be wholly severed from us, and in a time of great need it may be we shall meet again. Even if that never comes to pass, you will always see more deeply than others. Visions hidden from them will be revealed to you. And that is both a sorrow and a blessing.”
whoa! what is that gift exactly? how will it burden them? you have to explain this!


Philip was a good character, as was Herne and Helve. Leo was ok, but he needed more depth and moments in the book. Book was all about Linda. Philip, even though it was in his perspective, we learned nothing about. I couldn’t connect to anyone in the story. Not enough depth. At 23, it’s embarrassing to say some of this was confusing and over my head.
I wanted to hear them meet up again with his aunt &uncle!!
there were major problems with this. even though all this stuff was going on, it still didn't have a big enough plot for me. It wasn't this magical adventure it should have been. the book was literally all about Linda. I've never seen a character so in focus, and one who's perspective the book wasn't even in!! I flat out didn't like Linda, besides that one scene where she playfully pinched Philip in the beginning of the book, when they realized they were in a different world.
Sadly, I have to return this to the same bookstore I bought it from.

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick notes: [Will write a more detailed review later]
Very vivid imagery. Descriptions are quite rich. Both of these are quite well-done and are a pleasure to read.
Interesting plot twists.
Coming of age story.

[Some spoilers concerning plot structure below]
In many ways it follows the typical Hero's Journey story structure of a hero or heroes being yanked out of their world (literally in this case), going on a quest, meeting the mentor, facing trials, meeting new friends, and ultimately vanquishing the evil being that is the antagonist of the story. There are some interesting plot twists throughout - possibly easier to predict should the person reading be an older reader who may be more familiar with these certain tropes, but for the younger audience it is intended for they may be quite novel. (In my case I have studied these types of story structures and tropes, and therefore may have better insight than an average reader.)

Due to the time period in which the novel was written, some of the grammar and language used is different than one would find today, such as "good-by" rather than "goodbye", and other hyphenated words. The characters, even the children, speak in a more eloquent manner than that jargon we use today. These things allow an interesting glimpse into how the English language has changed, even in just under half a century.

There are some problems throughout sometimes connecting with the characters, and a few scenes are anti-climatic (I'm going to avoid going into detail about them to prevent too many spoilers, but one scene in particular concerning a ghost was a letdown).

Overall, I did enjoy reading the novel. I did find it somewhat predictable, the characters were sometimes difficult to connect with, and I found some scenes to be disappointing and anti-climatic. However, I did really enjoy the descriptions and imagery.
I would recommend this novel to people who enjoy fantasy and stories that follow the typical Hero's Journey plot structure.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is spare and exquisite. The telling sublime and haunting. Ms. Nichols describes in one to two sentences what others might spend a paragraph to two pages on. When two children are pulled out of their world , they must discover why and what their purpose for leaving is. The setting is reminiscent of Viking times. Wizards, witches, water people, and shape shifters exist. I first read this as a 10 year old and sought it out again as an adult. I am still as impressed with it’s haunting quality as I was then. A true classic.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philip and Linda, attempting to explore an ancient castle beneath the lake, become involved in another world of witches, evil forces, and Linda's own half-witch/half-human origins. Canadian Association of Children’s Librarians Best Book of the Year (1973).

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those "it's not you, it's me" books. The only reason I finished it was because it was short, but it unfortunately just wasn't my cup of tea. A little too fantastical for my liking.

[Melissa McCauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Phillip and his adopted cousin, Linda, are rowing their boat across the lake where they are vacationing for the summer, they see something impossible. A castle is sunk in the water that no one else can see, and which vanishes when they dive to investigate. When they return during the night to investigate further, their boat is seized by unknown forces and propelled up a river into another world.
There the two children meet Herne, a woodsman who tells them the story of the battle between the good king Kyril Tessarion, and the evil witch, Morgan. An unseen power separates them from Herne, and the children find themselves in the clutches of the witch Ygerna, daughter of Morgan, who claims Linda is really from this world, the last daughter of the witch Morgan.
Ygerna sends the children on a dangerous quest for The Marrow of the World, which is deep within the dwarfs' mountain stronghold. Great danger and personal growth are in store for the two cousins as they go after the marrow and try to return home. Much better than Nichols other adventure novel, A Walk out of the World, but still a little lacking in resonance.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evocative and haunting, a great pairing with Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations. I remember this from my childhood, and it's a bit dated-- while the main character should be the possible witch-girl, it is instead her cousin Phil, partly to make the story about the bonds of family as opposed to heritage. There is a lack of substantive female characters here-- the witches are really more of images than actual characters, and it almost fails the Bechtel test. But the images of the story haunt, in the way the very best fantasy of its generation does/did.

[Ollie Reeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stiff writing but lovely chapter illustrations