An incredible story of one woman's jounrey to save her people - and the world. 'One of those novels that just sings in your ears . . . a joyous and harrowing read' - Helen Marshall, author of THE MIGRATION
Updated with all-new material and a reading-group guide.
It comes without warning, without explanation - the sudden deadly Stink that shreds the life of the People, poisoning the land, sickening the trees, killing babies in the womb. It comes from above, from the Plains of the Ancestors, but what has caused this murderous curse?
It falls to Pyn-Poi to find out. The young tree-woman must climb the unclimbable cliff, to face the Ancestors on their own ground and demand an accounting for the Stink.
But the end of the climb is just the beginning of Pyn-Poi's journey. What she finds in the world above is an abomination beyond the most fearsome fire-stories of the People - and she must defeat it, or face the extinction of everything she has ever loved.
Praise for The Night Field
'Simple, beautiful prose' Scott T. Barnes, editor of NewMyths.com magazine
'Masterful storytelling' Karin Lacey, The Uncommon Octopus
'Beautifully written, poetic' Susan Sachs, climate education mentor
A magnificent, moving ecological fable: welcome to The Real, where Pyn-Poi's people live in harmony with nature - until a killing stink threatens their whole world.
Pyn-Poi's mother Marak wants her to grow up to be the matriarch of the tribe, learning how to cook, to make medicines, how to care for everyone, but Pyn-Poi would rather be out among the trees like her father Sook-Sook, learning how persuade tree roots into bridges, to feel when shoots are too crowded, when drooping leaves need attention.
Then something starts going wrong in The Real: when the rains come, instead of nourishment, they bring a noxious stench that's poisoning people and plants alike. Pyn-Poi is the treewoman now: it's her job. Their only chance is for her to climb to the land beyond the Wall, where the Ancestors live, to plead for their intercession
Pyn-Poi never expected to find a whole new world up there, with people who are very different from her own family and friends - a land where they are killing nature, and that's killing The Real.
The trees have a job for Pyn-Poi, and to succeed, she is going to have to be brave and strong and true - no matter what.
PRAISE FOR THE NIGHT FIELD
'A moving ecological fable, written with her signature grace and compassion' Elaine Isaak, author of The Singer's Legacy
'One of those novels which just sings in your ears. A joyous and harrowing read, it carried me through the night, page after beautiful page' Helen Marshall, author of The Migration
'Donna Glee WIlliams' simple, beautiful prose transports us to a Sylvian wonderland . . . I did not want to leave' Scott T. Barnes, Writers of the Future winner and editor of NewMyths.com magazine
'With lyrical prose, Williams delivers her finest performance yet. Her masterful storytelling unearths depth and colour in subtle nuance. The characters are real and believable, and their journey will stick with you for many years to come' - Karin Lacey, The Uncommon Octopus
'A beautifully written, poetic book that showcases resilience on many levels' - Susan Sachs, climate education mentor, including Earth-to-Sky (NASA, NPS & USFWS)
