The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

Mourlevat, Jean-Claude. The Pull of the Ocean. Translated from the French by Y. Maudet. New York: Delacorte Press, 2006. ISBN:  978-0-385-73348-8.

SUMMARY

Seven brothers run away from their home and travel across France to reach the Atlantic Ocean. Guided by the youngest brother, Yann Doutreleau, the boys face obstacles and challenges that could prevent them from reaching their destination. However, the older brothers’ faith and trust in Yann’s belief that their parents mean to harm them and that the ocean will give them refuge provide the strength they need to persevere. As their journey draws to an end, the possibility of reaching the ocean seems to be stripped from them – but their devotion to each other strengthens, even though their hope to reach the ocean begins to fade.

ANALYSIS

Jean-Claude Mourlevat creates a modern tale of seven brothers who, convinced by the youngest brother’s belief that they are in danger should they stay with their abusive parents, run away from their shabby farmhouse in France. While the tale parallels the Tom Thumb story, the novel itself presents a unique twist as the story unfolds: Each chapter reveals the perspective of a different character in the book who relates the sequence of events that begin the adventure of their journey across France.

Mourlevat’s characters, while unique from each other in most ways, share a common thread: A fascination with Yann Doutreleau. From the day of his birth, it is clear that Yann is an uncommon child. The first to notice it was his mother; her three previous pregnancies resulted in the birth of twins. This pregnancy produced a child who was so tiny that she debated if she should keep him because she was not sure he would be useful on the farm. As he grows, it becomes more obvious he is a misfit in the family. Where they are not interested in education, he is fascinated with learning. Where they communicate by talking, he communicates with signals and gestures because he is mute. While these traits make his parents uncomfortable and alienate him from them, he bonds with his brothers who will protect him the best they can from the father and the mother.

Other characters in the book either come in direct contact with Yann and his brothers, or witness their actions from afar. Through their observations and musings, as well as those of Yann’s brothers, the reader gains insight into each character's persona as the boys continue their journey to the ocean.

Although the story takes place in modern day France, the characters' emotions and thoughts are universal. The social worker finds herself worrying about Yann and convinces her husband, the mechanic, to drive back to the impoverished farmhouse to check on the welfare of the boy. Mourlevat presents the mother as an abused woman who spends her days disillusioned and embittered by life. It is Yann, the smallest and silent character, who draws the character’s deepest feelings to the surface, just as the ocean draws him to her shores.

The Pull of the Ocean is not meant to be read quickly, or just one time. The various conflicts faced by the characters create a multitude of themes that reveal themselves with subsequent readings.

REWARDS / REVIEWS

Mildred L. Batchelder Award, 2007 Winner – United States

Prix Sorcières, 2007 - France

Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2007 – Bank Street College of Education

Notable Children’s Books, 2007 – ALSC American Library Association

School Library Journal Book Review Stars, January 2007, Cahners

“…Mourlevat enchantingly blends the harshly real and the make-believe, with the latter tipping the balance as this effectively haunting, fluidly translated tale comes to a close." Ages 12 – up.” Publishers Weekly

CONNECTIONS

Other books by Jean-Claude Mourlevat that have been translated into English:

Winter’s End

PERSONAL RESPONSE

While I was reading The Pull of the Ocean, I knew that there was a much deeper meaning than a simple story of seven boys running away from home because they were afraid of their parents.  While the characters are realistic – the social worker who thinks about her cases, the truck driver, the father and sons at the train station – I know that each chapter presents a lesson in itself, a story unique to the character exclusive to that chapter. I think this would be an interesting novel to discuss with others: Perhaps to clear up some confusion and gain insight into points I may have missed. I would not recommend this novel to someone who is looking for light reading material. However, I would recommend it to someone who wants a novel that requires analyzing and discussing on deeper levels.

The Pull of the Ocean. Cover illustration. Internet on-line. September 8, 2013 from http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID=9314fb53c738cf3893f93b7a4f06d13f