The Water of the Wondrous Isles
What is The Water of the Wondrous Isles about?
The Water of the Wondrous Isles (1897) follows Birdalone, a young woman raised in captivity by a witch, who escapes across a magical lake and visits a series of enchanted islands. One of Morris’s most feminist works, with a resourceful female protagonist who drives her own destiny.
Main themes in The Water of the Wondrous Isles
Female protagonist
The Water of the Wondrous Isles thoughtfully explores female protagonist through its central conflicts.
Enchanted islands
The Water of the Wondrous Isles thoughtfully explores enchanted islands through its central conflicts.
Witch captivity
In The Water of the Wondrous Isles, witch captivity provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Escape
The Water of the Wondrous Isles thoughtfully explores escape through its central conflicts.
Why The Water of the Wondrous Isles is still relevant today
Notable for its strong female protagonist in an era when fantasy heroines were rare. A beautifully crafted island-hopping adventure.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Water of the Wondrous Isles about?
A young woman escapes a witch and explores enchanted islands — one of the earliest fantasy novels with a strong female hero.
Where can I read it?
Free on TextStack.