The Blue Sword

This is the first of many book reviews I hope to publish on my blog. Enjoy!

Robin McKinley’s The Blue Sword was selected as a Newbery Honor Book in 1983. While many fantasy stories have descended into obscurity, The Blue Sword has become a popular fantasy novel that is still widely read today. What elements of this story have made it so admired? Perhaps the simple character descriptions that describe the eyes of Corlath, the Damarian king, as “yellow as gold, the hot liquid gold in the smelter’s fire” (34) make this an unforgettable story. Or maybe “the harsh sand, the hot sun, and the merciless gritty winds” (20) of Damar conjure an unforgiving landscape with which readers can’t help but begin “falling by degrees in love with it” (20).

The real success of The Blue Sword transcends the beauty of its language. The book addresses topics that remain pertinent in the 21st Century as well as in the fantasy world of Damar. Harry Crewe, the “Damalur-sol. Lady Hero” was a “great thing for [the Damarians], and for [their] daughters” (122) just like independent women such as J.K. Rowling and Hillary Clinton have become “lady heroes” of our day. The Blue Sword also indicates the importance of cultural roots and ties. The kelar of Harry that set her apart as a Damarian also represented “the strength of the Damar of old” (102). Cultural traditions—such as Native American storytelling or a Japanese kimono—and beliefs renew the power of past generations and assert identity that can be so easily confused by the melting pots of modern states. Additionally, The Blue Sword iterates the necessity of strong cooperation between people and nations. “In [Harry Crewe] two worlds meet” (179); she acts as a bridge between the native Damarians and the colonial Homelanders. As a lady Homelander discovering her roots in the land of Damar, Harry Crewe becomes the link that McKinley uses to set the stage for a story that is applicable in today’s world where the global community is characterized by the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.

“If he has brought his thousand best men, we shall be terribly short of women, and you know how I dislike an unbalanced table” (19). Lady Amelia so voices Robin McKinley’s feminist passion in the second chapter of The Blue Sword. Beginning with Amelia’s poignant statement at the very beginning of this novel, McKinley emphasizes the necessity of women in society. McKinley also characterizes Harry Crewe, a girl that “suffered from a vague restlessness, a longing for adventure” who “never much cared for beauty, although she was aware that she lacked it” (9) to become the heroine that represents so much more than just a “lady hero” (122). From her description, Harry could have been any Homelander woman. McKinley juxtaposes Harry with the “Misses Peterson…the admitted beauties of the station” (9). Despite their beauty, Cassie and Elizabeth Peterson do not become the bridge between two worlds; that role is left to Harry. McKinley furthers the importance of Harry when Luthe, the oracle, explains to Harry that “[Corlath] needs [her]” (180). The king of the Damarians was unable to protect his people without the assistance of Harry. The influence of Harimad-sol, Harry the lady hero, among the Homelanders and the Damarians alike is voiced by her followers at the end of the novel: “We will come with you, and if he turns you away, we will still come with you…You need not go into exile homeless (251).

After asserting the strength and ability of women through Harry Crewe and the Lady Amelia, Robin McKinley acknowledges the importance of culture and tradition. When Corlath encourages Harry to “take a sip” (76) of the Water of Sight, she proves herself to be more than just a captive Homelander when has a vision; “the Water of Sight does not work so on everyone” (79), and only Damarians can use the Seeing Water. McKinley very deliberately made her hero a link between two separate nations. Harry was both Homelander and Damarian. Her important heritage alleviated the issue that Corlath stated early in the story: “We know nothing of each other’s customs” (67). Although the Damarians knew little of the Homelanders, and the colonists knew even less of the Hillfolk, Harry grew to know and love both cultures: “And so diplomatic relations between Outlander and Damarian began” (271).

The diplomatic relations reached by the end of The Blue Sword were difficult to come by, however. In the beginning of the story the Homelanders were “[un]able to make [themselves] understood” (43) to the Hillfolk. When Corlath did not find assistance from the Homelanders, “he would not stay to parley” (45). The gate at the Homelander fort was then closed to Hillfolk, which further decreased friendly ties between the two countries. In attempting to gain the assistance of her fellow Homelanders after assuming the ways of the Damarians, “Harry looked at the fort gate in surprise” (195). She was unaccustomed to the closure of the gate which stood as a barrier between the two nations. The importance of Harry as a bridge between the two societies became evident when she led a band of both Damarians and Homelanders to a Damarian town. McKinley contrasted the cold reception of Harry by the Homelanders with her warm welcome by the Damarians. The local lord of the town stated “they are welcome” (217) when he saw the unity of the band following Harimad-sol. Harry became the link between the two nations that eventually led to “diplomatic relations” (271).

Robin McKinley’s The Blue Sword remains an important work that transcends the sweeping vistas and personalities of Damar. Harry Crewe, the woman that lacked beauty and dreamed of adventure, became the hero of Damarian daughters. Likewise, the heroes of our day can influence our daughters as well. Countless heads of state in the 21st century are women. Margaret Thatcher, Condoleezza Rice, and Michelle Obama all represent the success and necessity of women in the modern day. McKinley also highlighted the importance of cultural ties and traditions. In our world of mixed races and confused identity, a strong self-image is important to both men and women. “Two worlds meet” (179) in Harry Crewe; the same is true for many of us today. More important than either the independence of women or the significance of culture, however, is the necessity of cooperation between people and nations. The conflict against the Northerners was not resolved by Corlath and his army of Damarians. Rather, Harry and her ragtag band of Homelanders and Damarians alone were able to combat the Northern forces. Similarly, the prevalence of terrorism and oppression today require the global unity of people and nations alike.

McKinley, Robin. The Blue Sword. New York: Firebird, 2002.