(from Armine, age 16)
Marjorie answers:
Dear Armine,
You ask a pretty big question and I’ll try to give you the answer that was in my head when I was writing the novel. The book is about the slow maturation of a young boy who starts out with no self-confidence. Dar lives with an uncle who has little regard for him, he is small for his age, he is worried that he’ll never become a skilled hunter, and the thing he loves the most, carving, is something his uncle Kenok thinks is a waste of time. On top of all this, he is about to undergo a frightening initiation ceremony. Slowly Dar begins to overcome his problems. He defends his grandmother against a bear attack; he climbs up a mountain to obtain healing plants for his injured uncle; he does not cry or panic during the initiation ceremony; he reaches out to a boy who has never been his friend; and he goes alone to the Pine Forest, meets Toreg, and is dazzled by his spear-thrower. Thinking that it will make him a successful hunter, he goes alone to Toreg’s clan to trade his sunstone for the weapon. He accomplishes his most difficult task in the Forest when he and his uncle unexpectedly meet. After a painful discussion during which Dar stands up to Kenok, they finally solve their deep problems. In short, the book is about becoming an adult, something we all are faced with doing.
I hope this answers your question, Armine.
Sincerely, Marjorie Cowley
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