Awards

• Winner of White Raven Award 2015

Overview

‘The fantasy book of the year’ — Eoin Colfer How many words do you need to survive? “Love”, “hope”, “freedom” – in the dystopian future of Ark, after climate change disaster, these words are being banned. One girl takes stand against this loss of language – she is the Wordsmith. Winner of a White Raven Award from the International Youth Library and shortlisted for the Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year, The Wordsmith is a beautiful and gripping dystopian story of how words make us who we are. ‘This book targets the dangers of global warming and the power of communication, love and expression.’ — The Guardian ‘A novel that truly stands apart for its originality and relevance.’ — The Irish Times ‘Forde’s exploration of language as both weapon and saviour is a noble one, and environmental undertones bolster its power. Pair with Patrick Ness’s The Knife of Never Letting Go.’ —Booklist ‘A tremendous pageturner; I hope this won’t be the last we hear of Letta, a brave and spirited heroine.’ — School Library Association

Full Product Details

9781915071941

Table of Contents

Reviews

An intriguing speculation about authoritarian futures. * Kirkus Reviews * A novel that truly stands apart for its originality and relevance… a book about words, about language, about their power to civilise – and, in the wrong hands, to abuse and dehumanise. For a writer to deal with such themes it is the most basic of requirements that she herself should handle words in a manner which exploits their potential richness and resonance. Forde rises magnificently to the challenge… Forde’s novel blends the futuristic with the retrospective, demanding that her readers consider their own language histories and their underlying philosophies. That she does this in the context of an engaging narrative accessible to a young readership is a gratifying bonus. * The Irish Times * This book is important because it targets the dangers of global warming and the power of communication, love and expression. * The Guardian * Stands out for its imaginative approach and its beautiful and careful use of language. The Ark is a community led by John Noa, who is gradually cutting down the list of words that people can use, believing that it was words which led people into trouble in the first place. It’s a vividly rendered allegory drawn with poetic phrasing that will suit older children with an eye for the complex. -- Philip Womack * The Literary Review * This gripping story has the dark atmosphere of books such as the Hunger Games series and ends on an intriguing note that might promise a sequel. And that would be another fine thing. * Inis Magazine * This post-apocalyptic thriller is full of jeopardy and nail-biting tension and asks fundamental questions about the nature of humanity and the future of our planet. An intelligent, original and gripping read for teens. * BookTrust UK * Forde’s exploration of language as both weapon and saviour is a noble one, and environmental undertones bolster its power. Pair with Patrick Ness’ The Knife of Never Letting Go. * Booklist * Fantasy lovers will lap it up! -- Sarah Webb * Irish Independent *

Author Information

Patricia Forde lives in Galway, in the west of Ireland. She has published five books for children, and written two plays, as well as several television drama series for children and teenagers. She has worked as a writer on both English and Irish language soap operas. In another life, she was a primary school teacher and the artistic director of Galway Arts Festival. Her novel The Wordsmith (published in the USA as The List) was awarded a White Raven award by the International Youth Library. She is publishing a sequel to The Wordsmith in September 2019.

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