Book Review: "Journey to the River Sea" by Eva Ibbotson

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

After her parents died, Maia spent all year long at a boarding school in England. But when some relatives are found and willing to take her in, she must travel all the way to Brazil to live with them. Eventually she learns about a boy in hiding named Finn, and another who is a young actor named Clovis. The three work together to keep Finn from the “crows": men sent to find him and drag him home.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Maia, is a young girl who loves animals, reading, and exploring. Even with her parents' death, she is very positive and thankful for everything. She could have easily been given a victim complex, but instead she is kind, caring and gracious. She tries to get the twins to like her, and when that fails, she rarely expresses hatred, not even in her thoughts. Not that she is a saint. She very much wishes to leave.

Finn is the young boy that ran away from his home in England when his father died. His whole family is nothing like him, rather uptight. He is much more like his father, adventurous and curious.

Clovis is a young actor who has no parents. Instead he lives with a group of actors who owe a large amount of money and treat him rather badly. He is rather timid and gets his feelings hurt easily. He ends up looking up to Maia.

Miss Minton is the governess assigned to travel with Maia. She is rather blunt, but not intentionally rude. She just always says what she is thinking. She and Maia share a love of books and eventually become very close.

The twins are obnoxious and bratty, but in a believable way. They are selfish and rude, being rather spoiled by their parents. Instead of screaming, hitting, and basically behaving like monsters, they simply manage to say cruel things with little effort. Anytime Maia disagrees with them or shares an opinion contrary to them they act as though she is immoral.

CARTOONY?

The story could easily have come off as cartoony. After all, the home that Finn comes from sounds like Cinderella's. And the twins themselves resemble the evil stepsisters, being not too bright, completely selfish and not exactly attractive. But the story is grounded by Maia, Finn and Minty, who never overreact, or claim to be victims. Instead, they take things in stride. Because of that, the twins and their mother come off as comical characters that we don't take too seriously. But since they are not the main danger, (that's the crows) it doesn't hurt the story.

IBBOTSON'S CHARM

Ibbotson has a rare gift: she is actually funny. She doesn't try to make everything a joke, or overload her story with sarcasm, as so many do. That completely exhausts me, and eventually I don't even care about the story. Instead, she uses her characters, and her own clever musings to make the reader smile and laugh.

STRUCUTURE-SPOILERS

One might expect the climax to lead to Finn being free from the crows, and Clovis being given a new home. But instead this happens only slightly more than halfway through. Eventually Maia ends up with Finn and Minty, and they leave together with Finn's relatives. I wouldn't necessarily call this a bad thing, though.

THE PERFECT TRIBE

I understand how living in society may sometimes be hard...if this book takes place in history. But the story never lets you now exactly what time period this is. There is no mention of cell phones, computers, or other modern conveniences. They take a train and a ship, but there is no mention of planes. And when Maia wants to learn about the amazon, she reads books, while a modern girl would use the internet.

Living in the wilderness with the tribes is portrayed like paradise. I think it could be fun, for a few days, but eventually Maia might miss bug spray, or sun tan lotion, or fans. Or running water. Maybe not having to kill her own food. It would have been more realistic to portray the characters as missing some modern conveniences or having some disgust at an aspect of tribe life, as anyone raised in the west would. At least some adjustments being made.

CONCLUSION

Ibbotson creates an original story with the charm and innocence reminiscent of Frances Hodgeson Burnett “The Little Princess”. All the characters are distinct and likable. The villains are not dark, but still come off as real, selfish narcissists. I give “Journey to the River Sea” four stars.