The Dark Bright Water

Book of Wirrun #2

by Patricia Wrightson

Tribal elders urge a young Australian Aborigine to investigate the strange events occurring in the interior of their vast continent.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Australia, Fiction, 20th Century, Childrens

198 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (1984).
Patricia Wrightson is one of Australia's most distinguished writers for children. Her books have won many prestigious awards all over the world. She was awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) in 1977, the Dromkeen Medal in 1984 and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1986, all for her services to children's literature. She is a four-time winner of the Australian Children's Book Council Book of the Year Award: in 1956 for The Crooked Snake, in 1974 for The Nargun and the Stars, in 1978 for The Ice Is Coming and in 1984 for A Little Fear. Patricia lives and writes in a beautiful stretch of the Australian bush beside the Clarence River in northern New South Wales.

Reviews

[Capn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far down in the dark caverns the river-spirit howled and sang her siren song. And across the land the earth-spirits fled, while the People watched in despair as the vital waters dried up or changed courses. Their call went out to Wirrun, the Hero who had saved them once before with the magic power he carried. But Wirrun was haunted and driven by the song of the Yunggamurra. While he quested without answer to find the trouble of the land, the lure of the singing drew him inexorably toward the old, dark waters where the women with tails waited and taunted the spirit they had caught.Cover Illustration by Elizabeth Honey

This series is quite definitely "Young Adult", and this book is the reason why. Book 1, The Ice is Coming, could be seen as a modern "Middle Grade" read, and would appeal to a broader range of readers. But in The Dark Bright Water, Wirrun continues onto his path towards manhood.

While there are no salacious sex scenes or anything the ridiculously-and-suspiciously-prudish "Clean Reads" clan would overtly object to, Wirrun and his mate (male buddy) Ularra, find themselves facing off with the sort of otherwordly seductress that Captain Kirk was completely powerless against. There's quite a lot of metaphor and nuance that I just don't think a middle grade reader would find very relatable or captivating - this is for people whose gonads are now interferring with their hearts and reasoning. Wirrun's drives become more complex and confusing, and he spends quite a lot of time questioning his identity and roles. It's not straightforward, and the personal costs incurred by the decisions made, both by loyal friend Ularra and by Wirrun, is high. Mimi makes a brief and prescient oracle cameo, and sets the scene for a journey of a different sort for Wirrun. The Yunggamurra are interesting, and they continue through to the third book in the series as well. It's quite a good read.

Honestly, it reminded me of a 1970s teen Australian version of Broken Homes, or whichever book it is where Peter hooks up with a river goddess. ;) Only it's more epic and a metaphorical display of the young males' maturation, and obviously rooted in Australian mythology. If you liked the Rivers of London series, this, while quite different, might appeal to you as well.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautifully written book that keeps you reading. Natural fantasy with believable characters, both real and spirit

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good contemporary fantasy but not quite as compelling as the first book in the series. In this book, Wirrun and his mate (friend) Ularra determine why the earth spirits of Aboriginal myth are in turmoil. Turns out that a female water spirit was swept by a flood into the underground throwing the natural order out of whack. Much of this book is taken up by Wirrun's internal conflicts and frequent arguments with Ularra. I really missed the Mimi, although she does appear briefly.