Ingo tetralogy
Encyclopedia
The Ingo tetralogy is a series of four children's novels by British author Helen Dunmore
. The four books are, in chronological order, Ingo
, The Tide Knot
, The Deep
and The Crossing of Ingo
. The last book was nominated for the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize
.
Conor Trewhella Sapphire's older brother, who has a levelheaded and calm approach to problems to balance Sapphy's hot-tempered one. Since he and Elvira may or may not be in love, Sapphire worries that he may abandon the human world completely and become Mer, as they did. Although he does not sing often, It is revealed that he also has a strong singing voice. At the beginning of the series he appears to have difficulty going between Ingo and the Earth, and that he has a stronger connection to Earth. At the end of the Deep, Sapphire is terrified to learn that he has started to swim as if he has a tail. It is also revealed that he can talk to land animals, while Sapphire cannot.
Faro A Mer boy who is the first to show Sapphy the world of Ingo. He is described as having dark hair, brown eyes, perfectly white teeth, and suntanned skin. He is offended when Sapphire calls him a a mermaid ("do you go to school with a lot of nice maids?"). Sapphire compares his tail to that of a seal, however on the covers of the novels it looks a if he has a seals tail with a whales fins. He is intensly proud of being Mer, however he later learns that he also has human blood in him. He always hints (or hopes) that Sapphire may become Mer, and while he calls her his sister, it is unknown whether he feels a romantic or brotherly love towards her. He is also Saldowrs apprentice a protects him with his heart and soul. Always wears a matching deublek to Sapphires. He likes to tease, and calls Sapphire "Little Sister".
Elvira A mer girl that Conor has a crush on, and Faro's sister. She is said to have curly black hair, and is beautiful.
Mathew Trewhella Father of Conor and Sapphire. Disappeared at sea when Sapphy was ten and Conor was twelve.
Jennie Trewhella Sapphire and Conor's mother. Has a fear of the sea and worries about her children getting so close to it.
Granny Carne A wise old woman full of Earth magic who makes sure Sapphire and Conor don't get so engrossed in Ingo they forget the Air.
Saldowr The Ingo equivalent to Granny Carne. Believes Ingo and Air need to live peacefully side by side.
Roger Jennie's new boyfriend. A diver, originally from Australia. Disliked by Sapphire at first, but she grows to realise and accept that he is a good person and good for her mother.
Helen Dunmore
Helen Dunmore is a British poet, novelist and children's writer. Educated at the University of York, she now lives in Bristol....
. The four books are, in chronological order, Ingo
Ingo (novel)
Ingo is a children's novel by English writer Helen Dunmore, published in 2005 and the first of the Ingo tetralogy .-Plot summary:...
, The Tide Knot
The Tide Knot
The Tide Knot is a children's novel by English writer Helen Dunmore, published in 2006 and the second of the Ingo tetralogy...
, The Deep
The Deep (novel)
The Deep is a children's novel by English writer Helen Dunmore, published in 2007 and the third of the Ingo tetralogy .-Plot summary:...
and The Crossing of Ingo
The Crossing of Ingo
The Crossing of Ingo is a children's fantasy novel by Helen Dunmore, first published in 2008. It is the fourth and final volume in the Ingo tetralogy.It was longlisted for the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize.-Plot summary:...
. The last book was nominated for the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize
Booktrust Teenage Prize
The Booktrust Teenage Prize is an annual award given to young adult literature published in the UK. The prize is administered by Booktrust, an independent charity which promotes books and reading.-List of Prize Winners:...
.
Characters
Sapphire Trewhella Known as 'Sapphy'. The narrator of the books, a young girl with a temper and a connection to the sea. She has long hair, which is similar to the colour of Faros. She has a labrador puppy named Sadie and a lovely singing voice . Granny Crane has told her that she is in more danger than Conor of being pulled into Ingo. Although Faro has hinted at it, she refuses to believe that she may become Mer. She always wears the deublek that Faro made her.Conor Trewhella Sapphire's older brother, who has a levelheaded and calm approach to problems to balance Sapphy's hot-tempered one. Since he and Elvira may or may not be in love, Sapphire worries that he may abandon the human world completely and become Mer, as they did. Although he does not sing often, It is revealed that he also has a strong singing voice. At the beginning of the series he appears to have difficulty going between Ingo and the Earth, and that he has a stronger connection to Earth. At the end of the Deep, Sapphire is terrified to learn that he has started to swim as if he has a tail. It is also revealed that he can talk to land animals, while Sapphire cannot.
Faro A Mer boy who is the first to show Sapphy the world of Ingo. He is described as having dark hair, brown eyes, perfectly white teeth, and suntanned skin. He is offended when Sapphire calls him a a mermaid ("do you go to school with a lot of nice maids?"). Sapphire compares his tail to that of a seal, however on the covers of the novels it looks a if he has a seals tail with a whales fins. He is intensly proud of being Mer, however he later learns that he also has human blood in him. He always hints (or hopes) that Sapphire may become Mer, and while he calls her his sister, it is unknown whether he feels a romantic or brotherly love towards her. He is also Saldowrs apprentice a protects him with his heart and soul. Always wears a matching deublek to Sapphires. He likes to tease, and calls Sapphire "Little Sister".
Elvira A mer girl that Conor has a crush on, and Faro's sister. She is said to have curly black hair, and is beautiful.
Mathew Trewhella Father of Conor and Sapphire. Disappeared at sea when Sapphy was ten and Conor was twelve.
Jennie Trewhella Sapphire and Conor's mother. Has a fear of the sea and worries about her children getting so close to it.
Granny Carne A wise old woman full of Earth magic who makes sure Sapphire and Conor don't get so engrossed in Ingo they forget the Air.
Saldowr The Ingo equivalent to Granny Carne. Believes Ingo and Air need to live peacefully side by side.
Roger Jennie's new boyfriend. A diver, originally from Australia. Disliked by Sapphire at first, but she grows to realise and accept that he is a good person and good for her mother.