This is the first of four books in the graphic novel series from the original French version Bergéres Guerriéres. The story is set in a small village where, ten years ago, all the men from the village were sent away to fight in the Great War. There hasn’t been a trace or tiding of them since and the village must be protected from external forces. As a result, the community sets up a Special Order of the women and girls who have been left behind to train them up to fight and protect the village.
On the inside cover of the book is a beautiful map that shows not only the village but the surrounding areas. We can see places that are important to the story and to the other books in the series such as An Gleann Gaofar, Sliabh na Crúibe Duibhe and Tír na dTóraithe.
The main character is a young girl Moll who is lively, determined, motivated and passionate. When we meet her at the start of the book herself and the other young girls are about to embark on training to join the Special Order. In the Order there are different levels of fighters: the beginners are the Príntísigh who wear a green cloak, the qualified Trodaoirí wear a blue cloak and the Sárlaochra who wear a red cloak. Moll already wants to be a member of the Sárlaochra.
Humour is strong throughout this story and Moll and the other girls Gobnait, Erin and Síle are hilarious as they start out their training with teachers Tónaí (Tóinín Tine) and Pádraigín. The Irish is natural and rich with lots of nice phrases: “bainimis deatach as”, “sin é an fáth go bhfuil cloch sa mhuincille aici dó”. There are lots of play on words too which suit the humour of the story “níor chaill gabhar an mhisnigh riamh é!”
As the girls start to learn archery and combat skills, Moll’s best friend Liam wants to join their ranks and help fight with them. All the girls have a giant goat that they ride on, Moll’s is her faithful Driseog.
While the story and style of writing is very humourous and light, there are also elements of darkness and sadness. At Liam’s house we meet his uncle Seán who is angry and bitter reminiscing about his younger brother who was sent to fight in the war. Also, Moll’s relationship with her mother is under strain as Moll doesn’t respect her mother for not being a member of the Trodaoirí and resents the fact that her mother doesn’t refer to Moll’s father at all. When Moll meets with another girl Gobnait, she says how her mother is constantly sad since her father left too.
As part of the training, the Special Order go on different missions. First, they go on a mission with Mamó Máire to give cloth trimmings to sorcerers who will tie them to trees to cure the ill. When they meet the group of sorcerers, Moll sees a mysterious young girl on a cliff with a raven. There is tension and uncertainty around her and we get the feeling we may meet her again.
Onto the next mission with teacher Siobhán who gives Liam permission to join them. In the valley they come across two criminal brothers and their mother and a fight ensues. The mother describes the Brúid Dhubh who they fear. The next thing they know, the Brúid Dhubh is upon them and we are left on a cliffhanger to find out in the next story to see what happens here.
Caitlín Nic Íomhair has done a fantastic job in translating this graphic novel and maintaining the pace and humour of the original story. The Irish is rich and flowing and reads naturally in this comic style. The illustrations are bright and engaging and the characters’ funny facial expressions are a particular highlight.
A very entertaining and easy read – it’s great that it is now available in Irish.
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