The Seventh Raven by David Elliott (review)

Following a raunchy take on Theseus and the Minotaur (Bull, BCCB 2/17), and a somber contemplation of Joan of Arc (Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc, BCCB 3/19), Elliott now leans into folklore to reinvent the Grimms' "The Seven Ravens." Narration in the verse novel opens with a few spare beats, moving to the cottage where we find Robyn, the seventh son of Jack and Jane, who desperately want a daughter. When Jane finally gives birth to an ailing baby girl, an enraged Jack pleads with the universe: "Why have You cursed us/ With son after son/ When we have begged You/ To give us a daughter/ What have we done," and soon afterwards the baby is screaming with life and the seven sons have taken flight, transformed into ravens. Always an outcast in the family, Robyn finds delight in his new form, but it cannot last; as a teenager, his sister April sets out to free her brothers, meeting a wise but tricky crone, a hollow, cruel king, a greedy, ruthless queen, until finally breaking the curse, much to the despair of Robyn. Elliott once again is a master at poetic form, assigning characters different styles in keeping with their role in the story; particularly effective is the freefalling verse of Robyn as he flies, and the formal movement of the overarching narrative tone is observant, aloof, but evocative; Cai's occasional monochromatic illustrations enhance the folkloric sweep. Within the elegant construction is a simple story of best intentions that reap terrible consequences and a look at how we believe our wishes for others come from a place of altruism when it is more often selfishness. Nonetheless, Elliott gives Robyn a surprisingly happy ending, allowing him to keep his wings and find wonder in that: "To angelhood I happily aspire, for/ such a life must be beautiful. So do/ not shake your worried head and sigh./ Yours is the earth. … But I possess the sky."