Skellig

The novel Skellig by David Almond seems more a novel about the power of love and hope than it is fantasy. However, love and hope are not genres of young adult fiction, therefore fantasy will have to suffice. Reading Skellig reminded me of all the times that the power of hope and love played a tangible role in my life. In particular I was reminded of the struggle that my family went through when my brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Similar to the plot of Skellig, my family went through a crisis. Instead of a baby sister with a heart problem I experienced a brother with a brain tumor. I could relate to Michael’s uncertainty and his inability to help in what he thought was a meaningful way. When my brother was diagnosed with his tumor he lived in Washington, D.C. The distance between us created a chasm that made me feel removed from the problems he was facing. It also made me feel as if I was unable to help. When Michael is left at home with the neighbor or forced to go to school he seemed to experience a similar feeling of helplessness. He was unable to do anything for his little sister and the physical distance between him and his mother made it impossible for Michael to provide physical comfort.

During this time my family spent many days visiting doctors and in and out of the hospital. It need not be said that we wanted only what was best for my brother. Throughout this period, his surgery, and his recovery there was a lot of positive thinking and praying that took place. At times it felt as if I could physically touch all of the prayers, hope, and love that surrounded my family. There were so many people who cared, and so many people who kept my family in mind, that it was hard to ignore the power of all that positive thinking. I felt this positivity; it seemed that Michael manifested Skellig as the physical representation of his hope for his baby sister.

Skellig first appears when Michael and his family move to their new house where things are supposed to be great. However life does not go as planned and Michael’s sister is born premature. Michael is told to pray for his sister and think positive thoughts; only he doesn’t know what positive thoughts to think. It is at this point that Michael finds Skellig, the being who eventually helps to, in Michael’s mind, save his sister. Skellig is a part of Michael’s life for as long as he needs to pray for his sister. Skellig provides Michael with a mystery that is more tangible than the problems with his sister. Michael can help Skellig survive; satisfying the need he has to help his sister.

The life of Skellig and the life of Michael’s sister mirrored each other throughout the course of the novel. Michael’s sister had ups and downs; she was allowed to come home from the hospital and then forced to go back; she had the tubes and wires removed and then put back. It was uncertain whether or not she was going to survive. This same uncertainty surrounded Skellig. At first Michael was not sure if he really existed. Once Michael confirmed the existence of Skellig he still did not know who he was or what he was doing in Michael’s garage. After moving Skellig to the abandoned house, Michael wanted to know what Skellig was and why he was there. Skellig’s true nature is never revealed. He simply states that he is, “Something like you, something like a beast, something like a bird, something like an angel” (167). Skellig is able to fill all of the rolls that Michael needs him to play.