What I Learned from Sorcha "Daughter of the Forest"

Sep 13, 2016
3 min read

Author Juliet Marillier has written a beautiful story within the pages of Book 1 of the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Still, I must admit my own discomfort as I read the middle portion of this book, but let me explain why. It’s a favorite pass time of mine to get lost in a good story. One that takes me into new worlds, with unique ways of living and looking at life. I so relish in the times of love, when new relationships are explored. I feel the joyous moments, but I also deeply feel when the story turns to heartache. I understand the hard stuff must happen, but usually I move on from them as quickly as possible so I can glory in the victorious moments that the characters live through.

But Juliet! She gave me no options!

There was no quick escape from the emotional and physical anguish that Sorcha, the small bodied, yet resolute main character, was living through. I lived it with her, those very painful and lonesome times. But still as I both reluctantly and hopefully continued the tale I came to realize I needed Sorcha's story in my life. For it says something of my own character that I am so impatient with all that is painful in life, that I am so dismissive of it. It says a lot about me that I had yet to grasp just how important the difficult times are in the development of characters such as Sorcha, but also of me as a person. Juliet helped me learn that importance as I lived through Sorcha's pain, and I am thankful for it.

Sorcha is Daughter of the Forest, and her story is a life lesson for all who read it. What is a daughter of the forest? One whose very soul connects to the soul of the deepest forests. Places where there are mysteries to be revered and protected. A daughter is one that learns from her parents, all that is vital for life, and with the Forest as a parent, there is much to be learned. You will learn more about it in the descriptions given by Juliet. Descriptions that are quite vivid and creatively written. She does this not just in beautifully setting the stage for where each event happens but also in painting with fine details the emotional setting and journey that Sorcha goes through.

I can tell you, that I value the exploration of romantic relationships in stories. They help me consider and analyze my own. To be thankful for what I have at times and also to point out where I need to put more work. One reminder from Sorcha's story is that I really need to work more on effective communication with my husband. There is great love between him and I, but often our day to day living does not show this because we end up fighting more than showing true love in its multiple facets. Due to the events in Sorcha's life, she is forced to learn other ways of communicating. This leads to a love bond that she would not have been able to develop, had it not been for that most difficult time. I look at my marriage, and I am hopeful, because I realize that this most difficult time will shape a unique love bond if both he and I let it.

Sorcha also taught me a great deal about determination and discipline. I do not know about you, but I sure do need unrelenting determination, and life transforming discipline in my life. There are consequences to living without these two words, active in everyday life.

Abandoned dreams, and half started goals, which then leads to loss of trust in self, because after all I broke promises to myself.

Those are just a few of them. But Sorcha... this exquisitely interesting and physically petite personality is determined and she is disciplined, almost to a fault. In fact she is so strict with herself always choosing others over her own desires that she could lose what her own heart desires. I hope you find out what happens to her.

If you do read her story, let me know what you learned for yourself!