The Shadow

Elinor was in the police station. She told everything to the police, one of them believed her but the other one thought she had escaped from an asylum.  The police officer that believed her, told Elinor to get in the car so that they could head towards the village. On the way there, the police told Elinor that he had heard about that village and all the cruelties so he wanted to see if he was able to help. They arrived at the village and he started talking to Capricorn, he covered his truth with lies.  The police left Elinor in the village and he left. Elinor couldn’t believe how dumb she was. Crockerell took her to the crypt on Capricorn’s orders and locked her up in Resa’s cell. She couldn’t believe it, she didn’t know if she should cry or be happy because it was the first time in years that she saw her favorite niece.

Basta came into the room taking Meggie to see Mortola. Meggie asked what the shots were that she heard yesterday. Basta told her that they had shot Mo. Meggie felt empty for she didn’t know if Mortimer was dead. When they arrived, it seemed like her place was a

Museum of photos for she had gold frames around pictures of people, and places. Behind Magpie’s chair, there was a self-portrait of his son. It seemed so real that for a moment Meggie felt his presence. Magpie told Meggie that she was brought there because she wanted to make Meggie skim through the chapter so that she could not make any mistakes. Magpie took her near a chest, which contained two poisonous snakes. Basta took them out, and deep down there was the last copy of the book Inkheart. Magpie made Meggie read in her head, she didn’t read because she was thinking of Mo. She stopped reading and told Mortola that Basta had told her that her father was shot, so Mortola talked harshly to Basta and then ordered him to take her to her room. But before leaving, Magpie answered Meggie’s question about all the pictures, so she answered that they were people who no longer existed for they were Capricorn’s enemies. Meggie also demanded to see Dustfinger for the last time before he was executed. Basta took Meggie to the crypt to see Dustfinger and Resa. Secretly, Dustfinger gave Meggie a note, she read the note behind Basta’s back. He caught her reading the note but luckily Meggie read the paper which explained that Teresa was her mother. She was fast enough to give it to Dustfinger and he ripped up the note. Basta was furious, Dustfinger took advantage of this and

challenged him to a duel. Basta accepted and entered the cell. Resa got out and hugged Meggie. Basta was scared since Dustfinger was threating him with his fear, death. He acted faster than Basta and got his knife, he was about to kill him, but he saw Meggie’s face, he couldn’t do it.  Instead he locked up Basta. Basta started shouting for help, Flatnose came but Dustfinger had left with the keys, so he locked up Resa and took Meggie to her room.  Fengolio wrote and wrote that evening, there were crumbled papers on the floor. Fengolio finally wrote the right words, he jumped in excitement. He carefully gave them to Meggie. Magpie arrived and gave Meggie a dress and supper. She wanted to wear what she had and she wasn’t hungry. Meggie was blue, so when Mortola left she started to cry. Fengolio was there for her so he reminded her of her father, Farid, Elinor, her mother and Dustfinger who had told her that she wasn’t alone. Meggie felt much better, even though she didn’t like the dress because it was white, the color of death, she put the dress on and started practicing how to put the papers inside her dress and take them out. Magpie arrived and took Meggie by the arm dragging her.

They searched everywhere for Dustfinger but he was never found for he stayed in the village. He kept shelter at Basta’s house. Dustfinger was surprised since Basta’s house was clean as the snow. Dustfinger heard Tink on the second floor. He went up to investigate and he freed Tinker Bell from the jar, but she was too weak. Dustfinger took her to the kitchen and fed her milk. Tank got better so she started to explore around the house. After a while of investigating, Tink looked outside, but Dustfinger said she wouldn’t like it because it’s cruel.

Farid and Mo were still on the mountains.  They were sticking to the plan of setting fire to the village, so Farid was putting the torches in a bag. After he cut Mo’s hair and showed him how to use sand to make his skin look darker. While they were getting ready, they heard some voices, it was Capricorn’s men. Farid knew a place to hide so he made Mo follow him. They hid under an old metal plank beside a skeleton that was curled up like a little boy. The voices passed by them so they showed themselves and continued with the plan.  Mo thanked Farid for he gave him unconditional help, and also told him that he was very glad to be with

someone like him.  Farid and Mo left camp and run into the village. They saw that the event was happening in the football field. Hidden from sight, they went to the main square and saw Magpie dragging Meggie. Mo wanted to go and help her but luckily Farid hold him back because he saw a dozen soldiers behind Magpie.  All the guards left except one so Mo and Farid came up with a plan. They first distracted the guard saying that they came from the north, then the guard started talking about Dustfinger ad how he escaped, they took advantage and hit him on the head. Farid was really happy because Dustfinger had escaped. They were getting the torches ready to set the house on fire. Mo was searching for the matches and he saw in Dustfinger’s wallet a picture of Teresa and Farid told him that that was the girl that he liked. They broke a window and threw the torches. Mo left Farid and ran towards the football stadium. Farid waited a little longer and then he shouted fire, fire and left.

Elinor and Teresa were in the football field they saw Meggie pass by she smiled at them and Elinor made a joke. She sat down on a chair and waited for the orders to read. Capricorn gave a speech about stupidity and treachery and there was a bell, which alerted fire but Capricorn didn't pay attention. Elinor kept cursing Capricorn but no one listened to her.  Capricorn raised a bloody fabric and continue the speech. Elinor begged for a happy ending for she didn't like a sad one. Capricorn continued with his speech. Later Darius ran in with the casket which had the snakes reaching for Magpie. Mortola took the snakes out and handed the book to Meggie. Instead of a folded triangle in the top corner, it had a black book mark. Meggie was about to read it but Flatnose came running telling Capricorn that the fire was getting bigger and bigger so Capricorn made him take 10 man. Capricorn was afraid of the fire so he told his man not to be afraid, he also cursed the one who started the fire. Fengolio saw Maggie's sign which has putting her hair in the back. As soon as he saw this, Fengolio began to say that Meggie should read because he didn't want his character to commit murder. He ran but Cockerell captured him really fast. He gave enough time so that Meggie could take out the paper and put it in the book. She began reading the actual book not Fengolio's writing. Suddenly the shadow appeared but she kept reading. The

shadow stood there watching Meggie. She read that the shadow should hear her and not Capricorn he asked for people to stop her but no one did. She outright read the end for it said that Capricorn was going to die but someone came and read it from the back, it was Mo. Fengolio disappeared into the book.  Capricorn was dead lying on the floor motionless and the shadow didn’t move. Half of the men in the stadium disappeared but not Magpie. She was still retained by Darius but she wasn’t fighting any more. She had sad tears running down her face. Darius let go. Meggie hugged Mo. Mo wanted to introduce Meggie to someone who he was in the cell but she already knew her. The shadow moved towards Capricorn so Meggie raised the book and found the paper that Fengolio wrote and read it, so all the people and animals that the shadow had killed came to life again, trolls fairies children and humans started appearing and the shadow was just a pile of ashes. Basta was still alive inside the cage when Farid opened it. He took rest and said that if they didn't let him go, he will kill her but Elinor stood up and when he was about to punch him in the face. Basta pushed Resa and ran away disappearing into the night just like Mortola. Mo couldn't stop looking at Teresa, he was really happy. Finally the family was together. They stayed one more night in the village since there were no cars in the parking lot because everyone ran away. Meggie had many questions since she didn't know if Fengolio was ok. Before Meggie crossed her eyes beside the tree, she saw Elinor who was having a great time with the fairies and she saw Teresa writing as if she was telling what happened to Mo.

Dustfinger saw everything that happened on the football field. He went down the roof top and grabbed the book of two blue fairies. He left towards the coast, Farid followed him. They found Gwin and walked.

Mo woke up and the book wasn’t there. Neither was Farid so he knew it was Dustfinger. Meggie talked about Fengolio with Mo, she wanted him to be safe. Teresa also was in the conversation, she answered Meggie that Fengolio landed on a good story. There were still

some doubts if Capricorn was still alive in the book or things like that. Teresa told Meggie that he will be ok, because there was much beauty in it. The called a taxi, they went to the village rented a van and came back. Elinor took some of the creatures that the shadow let go when he died.  Every other creature that didn’t want to go, including Tinker Bell will be safe in the village since they had a place to stay. Forty three blue fairies came, four trolls, and Darius came with them. He offered Elinor to build her library again. Elinor brought many books to her house; sometimes Mo and Daruis went. The fairies and trolls came out at night and played near the lake. Elinor was afraid since they are mythical creatures that if they are exposed to many human inventions, like the car, they could get hit or something so she took good care of them. They all stayed at Elinor’s and played with the trolls and fairies. Meggie thought about her future and what she wanted to be, so she decided that words will be her trade.

There was a quote on the book that got my attention. It was when Meggie was about to leave Capricorn’s village:

“Meggie looked back for a long time as they left Capricorn’s village behind them. She knew she would never forget the sight of it, just as you never forget many stories even though- or perhaps because- they have scared you.” (Funke, 531)

I can conclude from this quote that Meggie will miss Capricorn’s village. Meggie will always remember all the things she discovered in this village. Like the power of her father, her powers, she re-united with her mother, and many things she learned. The places that only appeared in a book came to life. It seemed a fantasy and she was able to experience it.  Even in devil villages, Meggie learn how to tolerate different people and also learned the importance of family. Meggie became a better person because of this place and we are able to see how she had changed through the book.

There was another quote that got my attention. It is when Meggie and Teresa stayed at Elinor’s house when she went and bought books with Darius and Mo:

“Meggie stayed in the big house with her mother. They would sit together at a window looking out at the garden where the fairies were building themselves nests, gently glowing globes that hung among the branches of the trees.” (Funke, 532)

Meggie didn’t have any memories of her mother, so spending Mother-daughter time together was good because they got to know each other better.  Even though Resa can’t talk, she writes everything she lived the past years when she wasn’t with Meggie. Meggie could feel what it was like to be in a book.  They have fun together, and this makes a stronger family.

Inkheart has been a book which talked about many themes, like, family, memories, past and lies. I’ve learned much in this book about life, love, family and consequences. The fact that it includes magic makes the message get to the reader faster. I enjoyed reading the book. I recommend it highly because it leaves a mark and you are able to connect it to your life which makes it easier to understand.