As the tensions between the characters rise and their differences emerge, are the children in danger? These both seem to be linked somehow to an ancient Welsh myth which appears to be coming to life once again and in which Huw plays a central role. The discovery of an old crockery service decorated by stylised owls and flowers sparks a puzzlingly strong reaction in the housekeeper the uncovering of a painting of a beautiful young woman also causes consternation. One oddity is that while six of the seven characters are well drawn and very distinctive, constantly appearing on scene, Alison's mother hardly appears at all. The storytelling viewpoint switches between the three children. The other characters are a housekeeper and her adolescent son (Gwyn), plus a gardener who appears to be somewhat soft in the head (Huw).

We gradually realise (Garner doesn't go in for infodumps, readers have to work things out) that the family consists of a man and his new second wife, plus two adolescent children: his own son (Roger) and his wife's daughter (Alison). Like most of Garner's stories, The Owl Service is set in the present day (well, the 1960s when it was written!) and focuses on a family on a long summer holiday in a remote house in central Wales, in a valley surrounded by mountains. The author I am most reminded of is Robert Holdstock, and I think there may also be a flavour of Keith Roberts, whose novel Pavane made a strong impression on me long ago – I really must read it again. The first is his deep knowledge of British history and mythology the second is a very strong sense of place which comes through, of both the visible geography and the magic that can lie beneath it. There are two powerful elements which inform his stories. He has also written short stories – I have an anthology in my reading pile.

Only one novel appeared in the 1970s ( Red Shift, already reviewed on this blog along with the first two), then there was a pause of over twenty years before Strandloper, followed by Thursbitch and finally Boneland in 2012. When asked about her future prospects, Alison could only quote what her mother expected of her.Alan Garner has been a unique voice in British fantasy since his first novel, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, was published in 1960, followed by a direct sequel, The Moon of Gomrath in 1963, Elidor two years later and The Owl Service two years after that. In this book, Garner re-enacts an ancient Welsh myth with young Roger, Alison and Gwyn as the main characters instead. The Owl Service is a fantasy novel written by English novelist Alan Garner and was first published in 1967.

The Owl Service by Alan Garner