The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is a quiet book. I’ve only ever used that to describe one other story. It’s a very special word for me when describing books. The story isn’t fast paced, nor is it drawn out. It doesn’t have a big fight scene right in the middle, but it does have one, just toward the end. I think that’s because we’re meant to see the changes in the characters, especially Vasya and her townspeople. We’re meant to grieve their abandoned beliefs, fear the preachings of the priest. It’s not that religion is touted as something to leave, to hate. On the contrary, I think this book stands as a testament against that. Perhaps it tells us that the right to believe in what we want to believe in should always remain.
We follow Vasya, a peculiar girl growing into a woman during a time in Russia when women were meant to be wives and if not wives, nuns. Vasya doesn’t fit that mold, it’s obvious from the day she is born. She is wonderfully free spirited, full of grit and cleverness. She has a strength within her that drives her forward beyond what anyone else can achieve. I don’t want to give too many details regarding the plot because I’d really like you to have the same experience I did, learning about other gods and creatures.
While reading, I felt the bitter cold of a Russian winter, the heart breaking reality of what a woman’s role was during that time. I saw the way fear can guide women and men. While this book takes place long ago, I think it cast light on our current world. I hope you give it a chance. I’ll be reading book two as soon as I can because in no way am I done hearing Vasya’s story.
Favorite Quotes
- "He did not know what she'd seen on his face and was angry at himself. "You wonder too much, Vasilisa Petrovna. Better to stay quiet at home with your little sister."
"You are not the first to tell me that," said Vasya without rancor."
- ""Hush," he said. "Do not be a fool; you are a making yourself frightened."
She laughed again. "You are right," she said. "I am foolish. I was born for a cage, after all: convent or house, what else is there?"
"You are a woman," said Konstantin. He was still holding her arm; she stepped back and he let her go. "You will accept it in time," he said. "You will be happy." She could barely see his face, but there was a note in his voice that she did not understand. It sounded as though he was trying to convince himself.
"No," Vasya said hoarsely. "Pray for me if you will, Batyushka, but I must . . ." And she was running again, between the houses."
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