The damsel in distress may have been in fashion in the Arthurian lore we heard as bedtime stories but when I think of the times we grew up in, she was a figure to be laughed over and at best pitied if we were in a kinder mood. I don’t remember dreaming of a brave knight in shining armor on a white horse riding out to rescue me if I found myself in trouble. Ever. When it came to the dreaming we did, my friends and I, we rode the horse and we did the rescuing. While we did love folklore for its magic and mystery, the strange spells and curses, we were not like the weepy wimps in those tales, oh no, we were the brave ones. We were the warriors. And because that’s how we thought, we have a fondness for authors who can translate the way we see women into great stories. Mary Stewart is one such author.
The female lead (FL) in Stewart’s novels is fiery, passionate, and always game for adventure. She is courageous and has her head firmly on her shoulders. More often than not, when she jumps from the frying pan into the fire she does so with a fire extinguisher in hand. Is it surprising then that I grew up on a staple diet of her novels?
For the past few weeks, I have been re-reading my Mary Stewart collection and I felt I really had to share my favorite Stewart heroines. So, here they are. We start with Nicola Ferris from The Moonspinners who takes the number one spot. She can enchant you with tales of naiads or water nymphs (these magical creatures spin the moon down out of the sky so we get enough hours of darkness and then wash their spindles in the sea where the moonlight unravels into long ripples and wounds back into the moon). She can dress your wounds, protect you from sharpshooters, and stay in the fight so you are not left alone with the villains of the piece.
Next, comes Linda Martin from Nine Coaches Waiting who can make delicious dark chocolate for you and whisk you out in the middle of your night if your life is in danger. She can keep you safe in a forest, plan an escape so well it outwits all the chasers, and protect you from your murderous family. All this with little or no rest till she delivers you to safety.
Last, we have Lucy Waring from This Rough Magic who has a special bond with animals, can communicate with dolphins and even step in front of bullets to save them. She spouts Shakespeare, knows the finer nuances of his plays, and can hold her own in any discussion on the origins of The Tempest. More importantly, she can think on her feet and find her way home from the middle of nowhere. This too, at that crucial moment when the police, the villains and the entire cast are all in one room so no time is lost in putting the villain behind bars. Know anyone who can beat this?
Each is so different and yet so very similar. Each has a heart that is brave, a head that is wise, and an indomitable spirit. Each is a strong, sassy she.