The novel is written in first person with Claire retelling the story as an ‘ode’ to Ella; Almond writes: ‘I’ll bring my friend into the world for one last night then let her go forever’. From the opening chapter Almond creates a sense of mystery surrounding the main character, Ella Grey. His use of vague introduction immediately entices the reader to read on and you sense a finality to the re-telling, almost like an euphemism insinuating what happened to Ella Grey.
This is not a conventional story as Claire starts from the middle, the beginning then the ending. Almond’s unique structure effectively heightens the secrecy surrounding Ella Grey as the reader soon knows the outcome but is left in the dark about how everything happened. Consequently we learn that Ella Grey falls in love for the first time with Orpheus.
You sense Ella Grey is rather drawn in upon herself, often daydreaming in her own world; Claire struggles to understand her, despite their deep bond of friendship. Claire ridicules Ella for confidently proclaiming her love for Orpheus, convinced the whim will soon pass. However, one day Ella runs away with Orpheus from school, confirming the truth.
At this point the story backtracks to the beginning – with a journey to the beach in Northumberland. Almond emphasises the wildness and freedom Claire and their friends seek from youth; exploring their desires to be forever young.
Orpheus is encountered for the first time and his entrancing music seems to attract all of nature. Ella was not present but hears his music through Claire’s phone and is overwhelmed by a strange emotion which she later calls ‘love’. Likewise Orpheus hears Ella’s voice for the first time and an invisible connection forms between them, tying their fates together as lovers. Almond uses a descriptive, lyrical style of writing to show the dreamy nature around Orpheus and Ella, successfully reflecting the simple happiness of music and love. Almond likens love’s power to nature – ‘keeps the sea flowing, stars shining, us all alive’, showing it is an invisible force which commands to be seen and felt.
The reader is swept along with Orpheus’ music but a sudden interruption from Ella’s screams acts as a turning point for the whole novel. The sudden change in mood from serene nature and music is juxtaposed with the snakes on the beach and screams. This is a reference to evil entering the Garden of Eden (their paradise).
The novel is centred on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, with Orpheus’ love turning close into an obsession. This book is recommended for teenagers as they often lose their curiosity about the world which we all had as children. But Orpheus’ gift of song reflects all the beauty of nature and reminds us how alluring, enchanting and unique the real world is. His gift encourages us to live in the moment and understand that our beautiful world is always around us, we just need to remember to appreciate it.
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