The Owl Service
The Owl Service
Book Brief
224
Novel • Fiction
Wales • 1960s
1967
YA
12-15 years
Super Short Summary
The Owl Service by Alan Garner, set in 1970s Wales, intertwines the myth of Blodeuwedd with the lives of three teenagers, Alison, Roger, and Gwyn. Upon discovering flower-patterned plates in an attic, they inadvertently awaken an ancient curse tied to the myth, leading to mysterious and supernatural occurrences that compel them to relive the myth's events and find resolution. The book includes depictions of violence and intense emotional distress.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Bittersweet
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
8,674 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Alan Garner's The Owl Service captivates with its rich folklore and complex characters. While its intricate narrative and symbolic layers are praised for depth and originality, some readers find the plot challenging and the prose dense. The novel's exploration of identity and myth excels, but its pace may deter those seeking straightforward storytelling.
Who Should Read The Owl Service?
Fans of young adult fantasy with a taste for mythology and psychological depth will enjoy The Owl Service by Alan Garner. Similar to readers of Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising series and Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, they appreciate richly woven tales where myth and reality intersect.
8,674 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Owl Service was first published in 1967 and won both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, establishing Garner as a prominent figure in children's literature.
The book draws inspiration from Welsh mythology, particularly the story of Blodeuwedd from the ancient collection of tales known as the Mabinogion.
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Alan Garner was influenced by real locations in Wales while writing The Owl Service, with the valley of the novel inspired by the Dinas Mawddwy area in Gwynedd.
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224
Novel • Fiction
Wales • 1960s
1967
YA
12-15 years
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