Setting
The story unfolds in the misty landscapes of Scotland, precisely two weeks into the crisp month of September in the year 1939, as the ominous clouds of the Second World War begin to gather. Maureen, along with all those she encounters, shares a hopeful belief that this conflict will last only a few fleeting months.
For Monica Hughes, the setting of her novel required no arduous research. "It was all in my memory," she revealed during a personal interview. "At the outset of the Second World War, my school in Edinburgh relocated to a grand hunting lodge by a sea loch in Argyll, nestled within the western Highlands." Every scene Maureen witnesses on her journey from Edinburgh to her new school at Kintray Lodge echoes the author's own vivid recollections.
As the narrative unravels, Hughes masterfully paints scenes of the Highland terrain, the imposing structure that has been transformed into a school, and the modest factor's dwelling. She vividly illustrates the attire of the children—from tidy school uniforms to the sturdy factor's boots and the red-haired man's elegant brogues—and the food they consume, weaving together clear and vibrant imagery. The distinct, earthy taste of water, which Maureen scoops with cupped hands from a burn, is so vividly depicted that readers can almost taste it themselves, reflecting the author's rich memories of life in Scotland. The lush sphagnum moss that blankets the soggy, rugged ground is gathered by the schoolgirls, as well as wild berries, on the day Maureen discovers a stone head in the burn.
Furthermore, Hughes brings to life the details of boarding house meals, which were never particularly appetizing and limited by wartime rationing. The nearly flavorless vanilla pudding, whimsically named "Sally-before-the-bath," "Sally-in-the-bath," or "Sally-after-the-bath," depending on its hue of brown, pink, or white, is described with nostalgic humor. "But Sally always tastes exactly the same," the seasoned girls of the Lower Fifth form inform the newcomer, Maureen, during her inaugural dinner.
Literary Qualities
This novel bursts with life, drawing its richness from the tapestry of the author’s own childhood memories at a boarding school relocated to a hunting lodge nestled in the rugged beauty of Scotland's western Highlands. Near this secluded retreat, a solitary standing stone loomed by the shore. "It always gave me the shivers, though I never understood why," Hughes confided in an intimate interview. "I attempted to banish this unsettling memory by crafting a time-travel narrative set in Scotland, woven around that very stone." Although that particular manuscript never saw the light of day, her urge to "write out the stone" lingered on.
Years later, while browsing through a compendium of quotations for entirely different reasons, Hughes serendipitously stumbled upon a counting rhyme she had never encountered before: "The Seven Magpies." "If ever there was a plot line, this was it," she declared. "Complete with a climactic punch line: 'Seven for a secret that can ne'er be told.'" Not long after, Hughes found herself captivated by a Vision TV program featuring Alan Garner, which delved into Celtic traditions and enduring religious beliefs in Britain.
In a moment of clarity, everything aligned for Hughes to pen a tale partially inspired by her boarding school adventure, but with a protagonist quite unlike herself—a heroine who stood as an outsider. The "Seven Magpies" rhyme laid out the framework for her plot. While her setting required no research, she embarked on extensive exploration into Celtic traditions and beliefs. She conjured up a cast of characters brimming with diversity and intrigue, fraught with more innate conflict than the schoolmates of her youth. In the throes of writing, she unearthed the...
(This entire section contains 551 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
enigmatic secret that "can ne'er be told."
Connections and Contrasts
This novel weaves thematic threads with an earlier work by Monica Hughes, The Refuge. Released in 1989, The Refuge shares numerous plot threads with The Seven Magpies, including elements of adolescent fantasy, an elusive father, a mother consumed by her work to the detriment of her daughter, and a youth whose nature defies societal aggression. The narrative also explores complex familial dynamics, legal troubles, and unsettling scenes with rabbits, one of which meets a grim fate. In both stories, the young female protagonist is gripped by terror, confined until nightfall by a man who, despite his intentions of no physical harm, refuses her freedom.
Despite their shared features, the novels diverge significantly in tone. The earlier work is fragmented and emotionally straightforward compared to the layered narrative of The Seven Magpies, where the story unfolds on dual fronts: within and beyond the school’s boundaries. Inside the converted hunting lodge, the students find refuge from the world and the looming war, shielded by their seclusion, the vigilance of their teachers, and the factor who patrols the grounds. For Maureen’s dorm mates, solace also comes from their secret society. Yet, disruptions from the outside world—letters bearing news of absent parents and the sorrow of Shelagh’s cousin lost at sea, or the sighting of the red-haired man—pierce this protective bubble, underscoring a narrative that stretches beyond the school’s confines.
Throughout both novels, Hughes's distinctive narrative voice shines—grounded in her natural style. The Seven Magpies draws deeply from her childhood, whereas The Refuge reflects her insights as an adult and parent.
For Further Reference
Ellis, Sarah. "News from the North." Horn Book (October 1984): 661. This article offers a glowing commendation of Hughes's prowess as a creator of imaginative tales for young minds.
Higgs, Jessica. Review of The Seven Magpies. Resource Links (April 1997): 175-76. This review applauds the protagonist's journey of character development. "Hughes's book captivates readers who crave historical fiction mixed with mystery and a dash of the supernatural. She vividly reconstructs the wartime aura of a girls' boarding school, and her characters are vividly drawn, exhibiting significant growth and evolution."
"Monica Hughes." In Something about the Author Autobiography Series, Vol. 11. Detroit Gale, 1992. This essay unveils the life of an author who has journeyed across four continents and penned over thirty novels for young adults. Insights from her teenage years reveal that The Seven Magpies is, in many ways, a reflection of her own experiences.
Review of The Seven Magpies, BC Report, vol. 8 (April 14, 1997): 37. A favorable critique of the novel, acknowledging its unique blend of fantasy and ancient religion woven into a contemporary realist tapestry. This is a noteworthy opinion from the B.C. Report, a right-wing fundamentalist political magazine that typically criticizes works exploring religious themes beyond fundamentalist Protestantism.
Review of The Seven Magpies. Quill & Quire (January 1997): 39. This review notes that, unlike much of Hughes's repertoire, the novel lacks Canadian influences. "From the well-trodden territory of schoolgirl [b—— ]iness and boarding-school cuisine, Hughes expands her narrative to embrace larger—international—dramas and the moral complexities of truth and conscience in a world desperately yearning for benevolent magic."
Van Luven, Lynne. "And Here's Novel No. 25." Edmonton Journal (February 23, 1992): C4. Through the lens of an interview embellished with a photograph, Van Luven appraises this local luminary, recognizing her fame for her outstanding achievements, yet she continues to lead a pragmatic and serene existence.
Monica Hughes Web Site http://www.ecn.ab.ca/mhughes Accessed March 29, 2002. The author's personal website, brimming with interviews, comprehensive lists of her novels, and her home email address. It features a collection of personal essays that delve into the inspirations behind many of her works.
