Under the Heron’s Light
Under the Heron’s Light by Randi Pink is a captivating exploration of alternate history and supernatural connections, set against the backdrop of the Great Dismal Swamp. Published by Feiwel & Friends on October 15, 2024, this edition spans 352 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows Babylou Mac and her siblings in 1722 as they navigate the aftermath of their mother’s murder, leading them into the depths of the swamp. Three hundred years later, college student Atlas returns home for a family celebration, where the stories of their ancestor Grannylou begin to intertwine with their present.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of themes including family dynamics and social issues, as the characters confront their shared history and the supernatural elements of the swamp. The story delves into the complexities of Black resistance and familial love, revealing how the past continues to shape the present. As Atlas and her cousins uncover the swamp’s mysteries, they must confront deep-seated tensions and the legacies that bind them. This edition invites readers to engage with a narrative steeped in history and fantasy, reflecting on the strength found in understanding one’s roots.
Official synopsis Publisher
Inspired by stories about the real-world Great Dismal Swamp, this acclaimed fantasy explores alternate history, a family’s supernatural connections to the swamp, and the strength that comes in knowing your roots, perfect for fan of Judy I. Lin, Jason Reynolds, Ladarrion Williams’s Blood at the Root, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners!
★ “A fierce, loving, and exquisite humanity-centered book.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “Mesmerizing storytelling. . .” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Four thousand six hundred forty-two steps in,” Grannylou interrupted. “You remember that now, Baby. Four-thousand six hundred forty-two steps to paradise.”
On a damp night in 1722, Babylou Mac and her three siblings witness the murder of their mother at the hands of the local preacher’s son—so Babylou kills him in retaliation. With plantation dogs now on their heels, the four siblings breach the treacherous confines of the Great Dismal Swamp. Deeper and deeper into Dismal they delve, amid the biting moccasins and pitch-black waters, toward a refuge where they can live freely within the swamp’s natural—and supernatural—protection.
Three-hundred years later, college student Atlas comes home to North Carolina for the annual Bornday cookout and hog roast: a celebration of the fact that she and her three cousins were all born on the same day nineteen years ago, sharing a birthday with their Grannylou. But this Bornday, Grannylou’s usual riddles and folktales about a marvelous paradise deep in the Great Dismal Swamp start to take on a tangible quality. Change coming.
When Dismal calls, sucking Grannylou in, it’s up to Atlas and her cousins to uncover the history that the black waters hold. Centuries of family tension, with roots all over Virginia and North Carolina, are about to be dug up. Because Babylou and Grannylou are one and the same, and the power she helped cultivate hundreds of years ago—steeped in Black resistance, familial love, and the otherworldly mysteries of the Great Dismal Swamp—is bubbling back up. But so is a bitterness that runs deep as the swamp’s waters. And some are ready to take what they feel they’re owed.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Under the Heron’s Light” about?
Who is the author of “Under the Heron’s Light”?
When was “Under the Heron’s Light” published?
What is the ISBN for “Under the Heron’s Light”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
