---
product_id: 11608611
title: "Bog Child"
brand: "siobhan dowd"
price: "R474"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/11608611-bog-child
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# Bog Child

**Brand:** siobhan dowd
**Price:** R474
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Bog Child by siobhan dowd
- **How much does it cost?** R474 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/11608611-bog-child)

## Best For

- siobhan dowd enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted siobhan dowd brand quality
- Free international shipping included
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## Description

Bog Child

## Images

![Bog Child - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516K5mjTTHL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Well done, and not just for children
  

*by L***X on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 9, 2009*

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd is an Irish story within a story. Fergus, the main character, lives in a town bordering the Irish south and the British-occupied north. In the span of the book he discovers an ancient bog body, Mel, a young dwarf woman sacrificed in 80 A.D. to stave off the crop failure and starvation of a prolonged winter perhaps caused by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius far to the south in 79 A.D. Caught in the Troubles between his devotion to his brother Joe, a hunger-striker in Long Kesh prison, aka The Maze, and his growing friendship with Owain, a Welsh soldier in the British army who enlisted to avoid working in the Welsh mines, he finds distraction when he discovers the bog body while illegally cutting peat with his uncle Tully. While his days are occupied with running, studying for exams, and first love, at night Mel comes to him in dreams to tell him her tale of love and sacrifice. The story is a page-turner that offers insight into Irish politics and ancient Celtic culture, as well as some modern Irish slang, as Fergus’ choices lead him first down one path and then on to another as he longs to make sense of the world around him, past, present, and future.Upon reading this book, you wouldn't necessarily know that it was written as juvenile fiction. Based on the historical truth of ancient bodies discovered in bogs, it blends, Irish culture and history, archaeology, and the politics of Northern Ireland.The characters are likeable, to story enjoyable, and the book an overall good read, especially on a cold and rainy day with a warm cup of tea to keep you company.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Endearingly Insightful
  

*by M***M on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 31, 2010*

"Bog Child" is one of those rare books that seem to speak to you from the bookshelf. I came across it at Borders and it jumped out at me in the Young Adult section, so different was it from its contemporaries. I highly recommend this work by Siobhan Dowd, a masterful storyteller. The other reviews here give a good description as to what to expect when reading the book but for all of those who love to read YA, really good YA, this is the book for you.Historical fiction set in the time of the Irish "troubles" from a youth's perspective is hard to find. Although the book is also about an archeological discovery and a spiritual link between the main character and the "bog child," the book centers on the main character and how he finds himself swept up in events beyond his control. Like the "bog child" he so sympathizes with, he feels both betrayed and vindicated by the events around him. He maintains an outsider's perspective and gives a clear idea of what life was like during this time period.The book has an unfinished feel to it making me want to go with the main character at the end, to see where he ends up and if he makes good on his promises.I highly recommend this book to YA lovers and to anyone who is traveling to Ireland and is interested in a brief introduction to this time period.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    One of those repeat reads
  

*by K***E on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 23, 2021*

I love this book. I remember reading it in the past and thought it would be worth tracking down again. I bought it, reread it, and it is one of those books that will live on my book shelf to be read over and over again.

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---

*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-03-11*