Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin

The Rough-Face girl lives on Lake Ontario in wigwams. The rough-Face girl (tends the fire, and gets burnt and scarred, and that is why she was called The Rough-Face Girl), lives with her very poor father and two older and hard-hearted sisters. Her sisters ask for beautiful things and their father gives them those things. They proudly stride through the village wearing these things. They do this because they want to marry the Invisible Being. The Invisible Being is a man who is so big . Many women wanted to marry him, but no one could see him, so no one could marry him. The sisters did not answer the questions that the I.B.'s sister asks them. One day, the rough-face Girl asks her father kindly for some pretty things, but the father has none. Instead, he only has some broken shells. The rough-face girl wears these and also makes some strange clothing. After this, she walks through the village, and people laugh and yell at her. But still, she keeps walking to marry the I.B. When she comes to the I.B.'s home, the sister of the I.B. asks the same questions the sister asked the two older sisters. The rough-face girl gets the questions right!!!!!!!! The rough-face girl gets to marry the Invisible Being and they never have parted.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Pali, I have not read this book, but, from your summary, it highlights somethings that I think are very important. Beauty and kindness come from within. Appearances can be deceiving.

I have your fairy recipe in my recipe box. One of these days....I will put the ingredients together and enjoy a grand ol' munch!

Love, GK

Nancy said...

The story sounds a bit like Cinderella.

elisabeth said...

I haven't read this book either, Pali. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? I think you've reviewed other books on Native Americans; do you especially like those? Love, Libby

the crab and the collard green said...

Hi Palina,

Wow, the Rough-Face Girl sounds like a good read. I like that she takes something like 'ugly' ,like broken shells, and makes it beautiful, or at least more interesting than just broken shells.

Thanks for a great review. I liked all the details of the story. I also agree with Nancy, it sounds like Cinderella.

xoTanya

julia said...

Dear Pali,
This book seems to pull the readers in by giving strong feelings to every action. I cannot imagine being the rough faced girl and having that much courage and inner strength to allow her true character to shine among such nasty people. Sometimes it is difficult to find the beauty in small things that are around us everyday. Sitting in the peace of the moment allows our souls to connect with the earth as American Indians have long known. Is there something that you walked away and wanted to change after reading this book? Thank you for sharing this book with us.

Julia

Book Fairy said...

Hi Pali,
I agree with the other's comments about the story, myth or fairy tale having a similar theme to those in other times and cultures. There are ones in Greek mythology with inner beauty winning over material or surface beauty and with a number of questions or puzzles that have to be solved before the humble hero wins the prize. This is a truth that has been proven over and over. The Rough Face Girl gives it a "fresh face." It sounds like a good book to read. Love Mamou