Bog Child
David Fickling Books, 2008
Historical Fiction
ISBN: 0385751699
336 pages
Carnegie Medal
Synopsis
Fergus is recently 18, and on what should be a normal run to get peat to sell to the locals, he discovers a child in the bog—the child that time forgot. Unbelievably well preserved, she becomes the focal point of many theories about who she was, where she came from, and why she ended up there. Riddled with dreams about the child he’s found, Fergus must negotiate the complex world around him as Northern Ireland fights for its independence from England.
Critique
To be honest, this book was so much better than I was initially expecting it to be. I guess that I shouldn’t be surprised considering that it won so many awards, including the esteemed Carnegie Medal. Not to be redundant, but I have to reiterate how amazing this book was. Unfortunately for readers everywhere Dowd has passed away and the book has been published posthumously.
As for the details, Dowd’s description of Northern Ireland during this tumultuous time is astounding. I truly felt the tension that Fergus felt and was able to get a clearer glimpse into the complicated world of Northern Ireland at the time. Fergus is an honest and compelling character who you can’t help but root for as he directs his life through the myriad of issues that arise with his family, his country, his blossoming love life, and the girl he’s found in the bog.
Having been to Ireland a few times myself, I believe that Dowd’s account of the area is accurate in its culture and people. Also, it’s refreshing to see a story told about this time period and area. I believe that readers need more historical fiction, especially regarding events throughout our history that have largely gone untold. The IRA and the fight for freedom from the British government, which is still an issue to this day, is something we rarely get a glimpse into.
I recommend this to all readers 15+.
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For the Classroom
Bog Child is a truly accurate work of historical fiction, with the only fictionalized accounts being the specific characters themselves. All of the things that Fergus encounters were pulled from actual events. This would be a great book to use as a classroom companion for studies regarding Europe in the 20th Century, especially Ireland and England.
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