Historical Fiction- NORY RYAN'S SONG by Patricia Reilly Giff

Bibliographic Data

Nory Ryan’s Song by Patricia Reilly Giff
Delacorte Press ©2000
ISBN: 9780385321419

Brief Plot Summary

It’s 1845 and Nory Ryan’s Family is on the brink of starvation on the west coast of Ireland. After the potato crops fail food becomes scare. The people of Maidlin Bay become increasingly desperate. Meanwhile, Nory becomes in debt to the fearsome Anna, a healer. In the process of working her debt away Nory and Anna learn from each other and become unlikely friends. Nory’s friends and family leave the bay either for America or for the afterlife. This heart-wrenching tale ends ambiguously, but happily.

Critical Analysis

The protagonist, Nory, may have the maturity of someone beyond her years becomes of the harsh conditions of life at the time. But she has her moments that make readers readily identify with her. One event in particular is when she and her sister argue over their mother’s comb. They pull on it in opposite directions and it breaks in half.

The plot of this story is brutally real. Readers agonize and rush to the end enduring detailed descriptions of changing starving bodies. We can understand why they gag through the smell of rotten potatoes. We wince when Nory’s face is scratched by the bird when she steals eggs. Death is abundant and life is cruel.

Readers fondly dance through the landscape of Maidlin Bay. Frequently Giff paints scene for the audience to visualize. “It was a beautiful day, the sea laid out flat and gray, and in the back of me the sun coming up over the cliffs” (p. 110). We learn the texture of blades of grass on the edge of the beach. We feel the warm comfort of Nory’s home where a fire is always burning, or at least smoldering.

Determination and loyalty are the major themes of this book. Nory grows up before our eyes as she makes sacrifice after sacrifice for her friends and family. Nory maintains a sense of humanity when so many around her do not. She has a character greater than most adults.

Irish vocabulary and accents create the voice of this book. A glossary at the beginning features frequently used words from the Irish language. Readers can easily refer to it when the vocabulary comes up. The chosen words are used repeatedly driving the meaning home.

Review Excerpt(s)

“The finely paced novel balances the physical and emotional horrors of famine--described in visceral detail--with Nory's courage and intelligence, the love she has for her family, and her close friendship with Sean, a local boy.” - Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Sep. 15, 2000 (Vol. 97, No. 2))

“This powerful first-person narrative, sprinkled throughout with Celtic terms, captures the rhythm and sound of Irish speech.” - Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature)

Awards

Golden Kite Award, 2001 Honor Book Fiction United States

Parents' Choice Award, 2000 Gold Fiction United States

Connections

Discussion Questions by Multnomah County Library:
https://multcolib.org/nory-ryans-song

Random House Teaching Guide:

http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440418290&view=tg