THE TWINS AND THE BIRD OF DARKNESS by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Terry Widener, is a tale composed from “thirteen variant tales gathered on the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe”. San Souci, in his author’s note, lists many of the tales that led to his version. In the motif of the “generous person” and the “greedy person”, twin brothers embark on a journey to rescue the kidnapped princess of their Caribbean island. Marie has been taken by the terrible Bird of Darkness in order to bring light back to her people. The beast has seven heads, seven being a significant and important number in many tales from around the world. Each of the bird’s seven heads is a different color, standing out against the colors of land, sea, and sky by way of Terry Widener’s vibrant acrylics. Soliday, the generous twin, sets out to save Marie, and Salacota, the greedy twin, tags along, thinking of the rewards. Soliday follows the advice of the quimboiseur, the sorcerer, and bargains with the bird for seven nights. The beast is slain, and through an unfortunate turn of events, Salacota poses as Soliday and takes the credit for saving Marie. Marie senses that he is different somehow and puts off the wedding until Soliday is able to return and claim what is rightfully his. In a slight deviation from the norm, the greedy twin is not punished, but rather has a change of heart, “one of the most satisfying” rewards to his brother Soliday.

San Souci’s tale is well-paced, keeping readers interested while always contrasting the good and the bad. The language is expressive, such as when Soliday first approaches the Bird of Darkness. “Then its heads blazed rainbow-bright against their fluttering darkness.” The words create tangible feelings for the scene. “When the bird perched on the island’s highest peak and unfolded its wings, they swirled and spread across the sky like ink clouds in a pool of water.” Widener’s bright colors contrast against warm tones of the beach and the soft greens and blues of the native wildlife. Publisher Weekly agrees that, “Widener’s stylized perspectives heighten the sinister aspects of the plot, but his vivid acrylics create a subtle, disquieting tension that intensifies the story’s suspense.” Truly, as the happy couple stands on the open balcony overlooking the sea, the sun seems to actually warm the reader as it casts a golden glow over everything. Even the sea reflects the orange and red of the setting sun. This seems a fitting way to have the sun set on a wonderful hero tale.

2002. Review of The Twins and the Bird of Darkness in Publishers Weekly.