The Goose Girl (novel)

Plot

Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna bonds with her Aunt, who becomes her nursemaid and constant companion. She tells Ani, as the Princess is soon nicknamed, stories about three gifts certain people have: people-speaking, animal-speaking and nature-speaking abilities. Her Aunt says that Ani’s mother has the gift of people-speaking, as do many monarchs; she also says that she herself has the gift of animal-speaking. Ani discovers she has the gift of animal-speaking, but her Aunt soon returns to the forest, and Ani's mother, the queen, keeps Ani from using her gift of animal-speaking, for she thinks the people will not trust her if she communicates with beasts. Later, it is revealed that her beloved Aunt died that winter.

Ani is now fifteen. Her lady-in-waiting and close friend Selia, whose mother is the key-mistress, has the gift of people-speaking. Ani’s inability to be sociable and perfect like her mother leads her to seek solace in her horse, Falada, with whom she can communicate telepathically. She often goes riding with her father, the king, who is easier to get along with than the queen, but he dies in a horse-riding accident. After the funeral, Ani’s mother proclaims that her eldest son is inheriting the throne. She reveals to Ani that, behind her and her father’s back, she engaged the Ani to the Crown Prince of the powerful neighboring kingdom of Bayern, and that Ani is to travel there to marry him. Ani feels betrayed and even more isolated but complies.

While travelling to Bayern with guards and Selia, Ani notices a relationship form between Selia and Ungolad, one of Ani's guards. Selia gains the admiration of several guards and leads them to kill the princess and replace her with Selia. Ani flees, leaving behind Falada and the remaining loyal guards.

After days of walking in the Forest, Ani collapses in the garden of Gilsa, a Bayern Forest woman, who helps Ani heal. Unlike Gilsa and other Bayern people, who have brown or black hair, Ani has yellow hair, a Kildenrean feature. Ani dyes her brows black, covers her hair, and assumes the alias "Isi," a Forest-born who seeks work in the Bayern Capital. She finds a job tending the king's geese alongside a boy named Conrad, and she lives among other animal workers, to whom she tells stories. She learns to communicate with geese and slowly discovers her ability to listen to and manipulate wind. She befriends and develops romantic feelings for Geric, a royal guard who visits her in the fields.

Enna, who tends the chickens and befriends Ani, discovers Ani's secret identity. Later, Ungolad and other guards of Selia spot Ani at a festival and attempt to take her away to kill her. Enna arrives with Peace-Keepers, who rescue Ani. Ungolad stabs Ani in the back, and she flees to Gilsa's house to heal. When she returns, Enna had told the other animal workers Ani's secret, because the wedding between the prince and Selia approached.

Selia had been convincing the King of Bayern that Kildenree was about to launch a surprise attack on the much stronger country of Bayern, and so the military is preparing to attack before Kildenree can. The animal workers and Talone ride to the castle the wedding is to take place in. Ani confronts Selia and learns Geric is actually the Crown Prince. Selia and Ungolad speak with Ani alone. Before Ungolad can kill Ani, Geric and the King, who had been eavesdropping behind a curtain to figure out who the real princess was, intervene. A fight breaks out between Ani's and Selia's supporters. Geric, with the help of Ani's wind-speaking, duels Ungolad. Selia nearly escapes, but is caught by Conrad. The king rules that Selia will suffer the Kildenrean consequence for treason that Selia made up - death by dragging in a barrel of nails pulled by stallions.

Days later, after Geric recovers, Ani is called to prove that Kildenree is not planning an attack on Bayern. She dismisses their proof through logical reasoning and shows them the injustice and segregation against Forest-born people that she witnessed while tending to the king’s geese. As a result, the people of the Forest gain Bayern citizenship.

Characters

Ani - A quiet girl from Kildenree, originally Crown Princess, later known as Isi. She learns animal-speaking from her aunt and eventually also learns wind-speaking. Her full name is Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee.

Selia - Ani's lady-in-waiting and former best friend, a people-speaker. Her mother is the key-mistress. She and most of Ani's guard betrayed Ani in the Forest. She tried to kill Ani during the journey to Bayern.

Falada - Ani's horse. He had a special connection with Ani because she heard and spoke the first word on his tongue, his name.

Ani's family - Her mother, the Queen of Kildenree. Her father, the King of Kildenree, whose name is revealed in "Enna Burning" to be Tusken. Her siblings (in order from oldest to youngest): brother Calib-Loncris (later Crown Prince, when Ani is sent away); sister Napralina-Victery; sister Susena-Ofelienna; and baby brother Rianno-Hancery. Her aunt, an animal-speaker, who taught Ani animal-speaking and told her stories.

Talone - Leader of the guards who accompanied Ani to Bayern, and remained loyal to her. Other guards who remained loyal to Ani were Adon, Dano, Ingras and Radal. Thought to be killed by Selia and the guards during the Forest massacre.

Ungolad - Leader of the guards who betrayed Ani in the Forest. He was in love with Selia. Some guards under his command were Ishta, Yulan, Terne and Hul.

Gilsa - Finn's mother, took care of Ani after she left the Forest massacre, and makes wool pullovers to sell on marketday. She acts brusque but is very caring and generous.

Finn - A Forest boy, Gilsa's son, sells his mother's wool pullovers on marketday.

Enna - A Forest girl, eventually one of Ani's best friends. She tends chickens. Main character of Enna Burning.

Razo - A Forest boy, eventually one of Ani's best friends. He tends sheep. Main character of River Secrets.

Geric - Crown Prince of Bayern, initially disguised himself as a guard to the prince when he met Ani. He and Ani fall in love and marry, as they were already betrothed.

Ideca - Mistress of the Forest workers.

Conrad - Goose boy, initially jealous of Ani.

Awards and nominations

Publication history