The setting is eerie and familiar, and the story is based on russian folktales. Erin bow im not great at englishteacher kind of labels, but i am interested in villains who have actual human motivations. As bow puts it on the first page, when she was still a child, she could carve a rose that strangers would stop to smell, a dragonfly that trout would rise to strike. From eastern europe we get nesting eggs, czars, anastasia, and baba yaga. If you bake a lot, your kitchen will become a happy home to wild yeasts, and all your bread will taste better. Plain kate is one of the best books that ive read in a long time. Plain kate is a fantasy novel by author erin bow, published in 2010 by arthur a.
Plain kate quotes by erin bow goodreads share book. Sep 06, 2010 unfortunately, rev tevye does not make an appearance in plain kate by erin bow, but that does not matter since plain kate just drips win. Plain kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a. Plain kate book oakville public library bibliocommons. There arent a lot of books on the market like plain kate by erin bow, and while this makes me semisad, it also makes me more inclined to stand on my rooftop proclaiming my love for plain kate. Ive suffered a loss, a man says in plain kate, a historical fantasy for teenagers by erin bow. Young adult author erin bow reads from her forthcoming book, plain kate. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on plain kate by erin bow. Plain kate, her first young adult novel, demonstrates a mature, haunting artistry. Truly, madly, deeply felt loss saturates the novel. After hearing that plain kate by erin bow had won the td canadian childrens literature award, i decided to pick it up. Plain kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep.
When plain kate, an orphaned woodcarver, trades her shadow to linay. Real people dont set out for example to destroy a city just for kicks and mustache wax. Erin bow writing styles in plain kate erin bow this study guide consists of approximately 22 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of plain kate. In 20, bow published her second fulllength novel, sorrows knot. Erin bows acclaimed, awardwinning fantasy novel reissued in paperback. Plain kate s odd appearance and expertise as a woodcarver cause some to think her a witch, but friendship with a talking cat and, later, with humans help her to survive and even thrive in a world of magic, charms, and fear. I am woefully behind in my book blogging, but i finished this book over the weekend with a cup of tea clutched in my hand and the best kind of characterworry in my heartdying to find out how it would all end. When shes orphaned and has to leave her house, she tries living out of his stall instead, but people are suspicious of a girl with her carving skills.
In 2010, bow published her first novel, plain kate, in which a wood carvers daughter faces suspicion from fellow townsfolk for her wood carving abilities. The story, which draws from russian folktales, focuses on an orphan girl nicknamed plain kate who is blamed for witchcraft because of her ability to carve wood, and who must deal with a real witch and sell her shadow in order to stay alive. Spoilers abound, so we recommend reading the book before listening. Plain kate by erin bow, 9780545166652, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. But its not just the language that reads like a poem. Plain kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song c. Plain kate by erin bow 2012, cd, unabridged for sale. The plot unfolds with the swiftness and dramatic urgency of an adventure tale, yet each event has a.
As the woodcarvers daughter, kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden talismans are so fine that some even call her witchblade. As the woodcarvers daughter, kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden charms are so fine that some even call her witchblade a dangerous nickname in a town where witches are hunted and burned in the square. When plain kate, an orphaned woodcarver, trades her shadow to linay, a wandering stranger, for her hearts desire, she gets more than expected. Isbn 9780545166645 plain kate is set in a fantasy russia, where kate is the woodcarvers daughter, and learning his trade. She helped drina with the water and the wood, and in the long, wet evenings she carved objarka burji. Aug 01, 2012 plain kate is one of the best books that ive read in a long time. Fiction novels edit in 2010, bow published her first novel, plain kate, in which a wood carvers daughter faces suspicion from fellow townsfolk for her wood carving abilities.
Plain kate by erin bow 2012, cd, unabridged audio book, free shipping. About the book plain kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. Plain kate is only one step away from becoming a 5 stars book, but erin bow didnt take that one step, so the book is four stars in my eyes. In erin bow s first novel, plain kate, an enthralling fantasy set in a time and place much like medieval europe, its the skara rok, or hungry time, and the folk of samilae are eager to blame anyone a little odd for the towns diminishing supplies and growing illnesses. The plot unfolds with the swiftness and dramatic urgency of an adventure tale, yet each event has a measured gravity. Plain kate by erin bow plain kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. Plain kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. Plain kate also published as wood angel plain kate lives in a time afraid of magic. Plain kate by erin bow paperback book the parent store. Truly, madly, deeply felt loss saturates the novel, scarring its characters, none more. Nov 21, 2010 plain kate by erin bow teenya fiction 2010 arthur a.
I was hooked till the end by this original, thoughtprovoking story. Erin bow is a former physicist turned poet and writer of novels for young people. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Childrens books plain kate by erin bow the new york.
When kate s village falls on hard times crops fail, and even kate s father falls victim to a deadly fever the townspeople look for someone to blame, and their eyes fall on kate. Plain kate is plain to look at, as her name suggests. Plain kate takes up with a man who claims to be a witch and wants to take her shadow from her. Erin bow s young adult fantasy novel won the td canadian childrens literature award in 2011. Childrens books plain kate by erin bow the new york times. In erin bows first novel, plain kate, an enthralling fantasy set in a time and place much like medieval europe, its the skara rok, or hungry time, and the folk of samilae are eager to blame anyone a little odd for the towns diminishing supplies and growing illnesses. Erin bow in this spellbinding novel, plain kate must flee her village when she is blamed for bringing on a plague of hunger and sickness. Firsttime ya author erin bow uses this premise to create a story set in some longago northern country, in which magic and witchcraft compete with honour, duty, and the struggle to survive. As the woodcarvers daughter, kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden charms are so fine that some even call her witchblade a dangerous nick name in a town where witches are hunted and burned in the square. As the woodcarvers daughter, kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden charms are so fine that some even call her witchblade a dangerous nickname in a. Sep 20, 2010 listen to plain kate audiobook by erin bow. Kates mother died in childbirth and her father, an impoverished woodcutter, raised her and taught her his craft.
Sep 23, 2010 erin bow in this spellbinding novel, plain kate must flee her village when she is blamed for bringing on a plague of hunger and sickness. Did you know that sourdough from san francisco is leavened partly by a bacteria called lactobacillus sanfrancisensis. Oct 08, 2019 for this episode, carrie and jake discuss plain kate by erin bow. As the woodcarvers daughter, kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden talismans are so fine that some even call her witch. Plain kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic 5 out of 5 stars was recommended this book by a good friend. Browse erin bows bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Plain kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work dee. Erin bows young adult fantasy novel won the td canadian childrens literature award in 2011. Bows debut follows the tale of plain kate, a tale of woe for every time something bad happens to her, something worse is waiting just around the corner. Jan 16, 2011 ive suffered a loss, a man says in plain kate, a historical fantasy for teenagers by erin bow. Erin bow has a natural narrative voice and i fell in love with her character plain kate from the first page. Of course my brain went to my most pressing impression of eastern europe, if i were a rich man,ya.
After her fathers death, the orphaned heroine of bows ya debut novel supports herself by carving wooden talismans in a vaguely russian. This study guide consists of approximately 22 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of plain kate. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Kate is orphaned at a young age and after her fathers age, she struggles to survive in their rating. Levine called rumplestiltskin meets lord asriel from the golden compass. Plain kate greased her boots and bandaged her feet, and soon she would walk like a roamer born.
The deal draws her and her nowtalking cat into linays scheme to destroy those who burned his sister as a witch and throws her in with the roamers gypsies, who are more tied to linay than plain. Upon opening plain kate by erin bow, i was transported to the old country. I had been hearing bits and pieces about this book for awhile, and i love supporting canadian authors so that was enough of a push for me to head to my local library and pick up a copy. Author of fantasy and science fiction for young adults, including the swan riders, the scorpion rules, plain kate, and sorrows knot. Real people dont set out formore im not great at englishteacher kind of labels, but i am interested in villains who have actual human motivations. After her fathers death, the orphaned heroine of bow s ya debut novel supports herself by carving wooden talismans in a vaguely russian village ruled by superstition. Plain kate, bows first young adult novel, demonstrates a mature, haunting artistry. Plain kate is about a young orphan girl who is accused of being a witch because of her talent in wood carving. Aug 01, 2012 erin bow s acclaimed, awardwinning fantasy novel is now in paperback. The novel plain kate by scholastic author erin bow. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. Anyway, plain kate is already more worthy, well written and meaningful than many many ya books out there. To escape being burned as a witch, she trades her shadow for travel gear and her hearts desire. It is native to the soil there, and does not do well elsewhere.
Sep 17, 2010 plain kate, by erin bow scholastic, 2010, young adult, 311 pages in arc form plain kate got her nickname when she was just a baby, and as she grew older, nothing happened to her that would contradict it. After the death of her father, plain kate is viewed with suspicion by the townspeople. As the woodcarvers daughter, kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden charms are so fine that some even call her witchblade. Aside from the whole stalin thing, eastern europe is awesome. Her first novel, plain kate, won the td canadian childrens literature award and was nominated for the, cla book of the year for children award and the sunburst award. Bows debut novel takes the stuff of disney spunky orphaned heroine and talking animal sidekick and uses it to tell a surprisingly dark fantasy. The fact the novel is a debut book by a new author and a ya to boot just qualifies it as the best of those as well.