A Son of the Rock

Orion, 2006, 364p

Voices is the second of the Annals Of The Western Shore, the first volume of which, Gifts, I reviewed for Infinity plus.

For a children’s book, Voices mentions surprisingly adult material very early. Our narrator, Memer, of the House of Galva, is revealed to be the child by rape, by invading soldiery named Alds, of a citizen of Ansul. The city was once called Ansul the Wise and Beautiful for its University, Library and architecture but under occupation has remained in ruins, its citizens hungry and fearful.

The Alds, from Asudar in the eastern desert, have a harsh religion which proscribes books. Galvamond, the house where Memer has been brought up, was ransacked repeatedly by the Alds in an effort to find and destroy any books and also the entrance to their version of hell which they believe is concealed there.

Memer’s mother has subsequently died. This is an unusual twist on the absent parents scenario as her father is one of Memer’s hated Alds and is probably still alive (though we never meet him.)

Her first memory is of writing her way into a secret room in the house; a room which contains a host of books – some of which groan or bleed when she touches them – along with other, stranger, manifestations. Galvamond also has in its courtyard an oracular fountain which has not flowed for two hundred years. The house’s patriarch, Sulter Galva, known as The Waylord, was tortured by the city’s occupiers to reveal the house’s secrets but told them nothing. He is the only other person with access to the secret room but does not realise Memer’s knowledge of it until one day she enters while he is there. He teaches her to read.

Orrec and Gry from Gifts arrive in Ansul. He is now a famous travelling poet/storyteller. They have a halflion as a pet. As a result of it spooking one of the Alds’ horses Gry befriends Memer and they come to live in Galvamond for the duration of their stay. Orrec’s presence is later crucial to the unravelling of the plot and the conflict, as is Memer’s role as messenger. Le Guin’s approach to her resolution is again refreshingly out of the ordinary.

All this is conveyed in a clear, liquid prose which flows like a river; everything necessary is there, all the inlets it laps into bear meaning and purpose. The excursions into magic realist territory are not overdone. Le Guin’s assured touch means the book is a delight. Despite being intended for young teenagers Voices is worth reading for anyone who relishes an intriguing story well told, with added insights into the human condition for good measure.