Among Others

Jo Walton

After fighting your mother, an evil witch, and having your sister die after the fight, what do you do next? Morwenna buries herself in her science fiction and fantasy reading and goes to boarding school.

Mori and her twin sister, Mor, grew up with their grandparents in South Wales.They see and talk with the faeries in the forests around them. They try to avoid their mother because she uses her magic powers for witchcraft. When she goes too far, Mor and Mori have to stop her. Mor died when they succeeded. Mori was crippled. After she ran away from her mother, she was sent to the father, Daniel, who had abandoned them when they were born.

Daniel lives with his sisters, her aunts. They have the money and employe their half brother to oversee their farmlands and house. Daniel doesn't know what to do with a 15-year-old daughter. The sisters send Mori to their boarding school. Mori is permanently crippled, walks with a stick, is an outsider, is an introvert, and smarter than most of her classmates. It's no surprise she quickly became one of the "outsiders" from her classmates.

Morwenna has her books to save her. She reads an average of ten or more books a week. She is addicted to science fiction and fantasy. She loves John Brunner, Samuel R. Donaldson, Robert A. Heinlein, and especially Ursula LeGuin.

Jo Walton is impressive in Among Others for her knowledge of classic science fiction. Among Others takes place in 1979 to 1980. Morwenna spouts story lines and philosophies. She doesn't just read, but understands and ponders. They sustain her until she starts making friends in her new surroundings. Yet her mother continues to try to attack her in her dreams.

Among Others is a coming of age novel in a fantastical setting. Among Others is an urban fantasy novel (can it be called urban fantasy if most of the action is int he countryside?). Among Others is the story of fitting in and making new friends. Among Others shows overcoming unimaginable trials.

While compelling, Among Others is not a quick read. It takes time and thought. It drags a bit in places, yet when it is put down the story line runs around in the head. Although Morwenna is 15, this doesn't read like a young adult book.

Growing up is never easy. When you have faeries and magic around, it's more difficult.

Notice: Suggestive dialogue or situations