48 pages 1 hour read

Kate Milford

Greenglass House

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2014

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Symbols & Motifs

Greenglass House

Greenglass House is a sanctuary for smugglers and ne’er-do-wells passing through Nagspeake. As eclectic as the inhabitants of the town, Greenglass House creates a strong sense of place for the events of the narrative. The text describes the façade: “It was an inn, actually; a huge, ramshackle manor house that looked as if it had been cobbled together from discarded pieces of a dozen mismatched mansions collected from a dozen different cities” (1). Greenglass House’s remote location atop a hill overlooking Nagspeake provides not only a shelter for smugglers but also a haven for characters like Milo searching for identity and belonging within its walls. The wintry setting enhances this sense of seclusion, emphasizing the characters’ need for refuge and connection, and the icy storm forces the guests to remain at the inn and face their destinies. Despite its antiquated appearance, Greenglass House exudes a comforting presence as it reveals itself to be a repository of Nagspeake folklore and history. The further Meddy and Milo delve into its architecture and history, the more they learn about the home and themselves.

The architecture of Greenglass House mirrors the complexity of the characters’ identities and the intricate web of mysteries woven into the narrative.