The Ill-Made Mute: A Review

Cecilia Dart-Thornton‘s The Ill-Made Mute is a charming book packed full of interesting ideas and creatures drawn from traditional European folk tales and legends, with more than a hint of the romantic touch that is speedily gaining popularity in the fantasy genre.

First published in 2001 (we’re coming to it a bit late), the Australian author has managed that most touchy of tasks; to successfully create a complete fantasy world not dependent on the common fantasy tropes of dragons, swords and magic (though these are to be found within its pages).

Instead, the world of The Ill-Made Mute, the first book in The Bitterbynde series — is one that is inhabited by all kinds of “wights”; creatures that Dart-Thorntorn drew from traditional myths and legends. Goblins, one-legged giants, swan-maidens, waterhorses and fairies; this book has them all. This world also has more than a hint of early technology to push it forward and distinguish it from the purely fantastic.

The lead character of the book is, as its cover suggests, a mute; “a scarred and utterly despised foundling” without even a name. This character, an adult but without even a wisp of memory of its origins to call its own, finds itself rescued out of the cold and torturous night and put to work as a drudge in the poorest levels of a massive tower, the upper levels of which play port to ships and horses that mysteriously float upon the winds as easily as normal ships on the sea.

The world outside, it seems, is haven to all kind of “eldritch”, or magic” monsters that the tower servants can only tell tales of with a kind of fearful thrill and sometimes dread.

On its surface, then, the book’s plot is a stereotypical one in the fantasy world; the main character attempts to discover their past, through whatever means necessary. The question of who you are, of course, is one that will necessarily take up much of the time of any individual in any age.

For the ‘Ill-Made Mute’, this involves leaving their tower sancturary. But what next? And what will become of them in such a dangerous world?

I’m not sure to what extent it was deliberately constructed in this way by Dart-Thornton, but there is no doubt that readers of the book will find themselves often as confused and confronted by the world as her lead character is. There are so many ideas, creatures, and people packed into its pages that you’ll often find yourself crying out for more information. How do the ships and horses fly upon the wind? Which kinds of magic are real, and which just a fraud? And many other questions like this.

And of course, with no memories, these are exactly the questions that the main character should be asking; and thus this works well as a device for engrossing the reader. In this way, Dart-Thornton has provided an ideal way for readers to begin to understand the complex world she has created; even if at times it is a little confusing.

It is fortuitous, then, that it is in this world that the strength of The Ill-Made Mute lies. Such fascinating stories its denizens have! Such crazy habits they exhibit! Such a wondrous daily existence its normal citizens lead!

I say this because in comparison, the plot and characterisation displayed in the book are somewhat lacking. Without going into too much detail about what sort of character the main lead is, or about those around her, I felt they were a little one-dimensional.

Unlike more complex authors such as Robin Hobb or Patrick Rothfuss, Dart-Thornton tends (in this book, at least!) to pick one or more attributes and let her characters exemplify those, rather than displaying more multifaceted sides to themselves. Their interactions, then, become more than a little predictable, even if this does lend the book humour at times.

Cecilia Dart-Thornton

This lack of complexity also extends to and in some ways shapes the plot; the lack of complexity in the author’s characters means I could often predict the gross outlines of the actions they would take in given situations; and predict their reappearance in the plot down the track as they weave in and out of the view of the main character.

And there is also the problem that at times the plot does repeat itself and not do much to advance the characters. Changing events change people; that’s a reality of life. But not so much in The Ill-Made Mute. At times, the plot can seem like little more than a thread designed to showcase and illustrate the sparkling world that Dart-Thornton has created.

It does hint at a grander design, but I suspect that more of that will come to light when I get on to the second book of The Bitterbynde: The Lady of the Sorrows. I can feel some carefully constructed revelations coming up :)

While these problems of plot and character do stop The Ill-Made Mute from becoming a masterpiece of fantasy fiction, in no way let this criticism stop you from reading the book. It remains a fascinating novel that will often enchant the reader and lift their heart.

As mentioned earlier, you will find romance as well as light action throughout its pages. This means it will be a solid and rewarding read for both lovers of light fantasy as well as those of us who prefer darker fare along the lines of Janny Wurts.

At times I smiled and laughed out look at Dart-Thornton’s creations, and at times my heart went out to its main character and her struggles. This is a book worthy of a place on any fantasy fan’s shelf.