A Study in Drowning Summary, Characters and Themes

A Study in Drowning is a blend of fantasy and academia set in a world mirroring our own. The story follows Effy Sayre, a determined architecture student navigating a world rife with gender inequality and the looming threat of war. When she’s tasked with redesigning the home of her beloved author, Emrys Myrddin, Effy finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, magic, and dangerous obsession. 

With themes of authorship, identity, and the power of storytelling, this novel is a thrilling exploration of the complexities of human nature and the enduring allure of fairy tales.

Summary

Effy Sayre is an anomaly in the male-dominated world of Llyrian architecture. Her passion, however, lies not in building but in the written word, particularly the works of the esteemed author, Emrys Myrddin. 

When the opportunity arises to redesign Hiraeth Manor, Myrddin’s former home, Effy seizes it as a chance to immerse herself deeper into the author’s world.

Her journey takes her to the remote manor, a place steeped in mystery and decay. There, she encounters Preston Héloury, a fellow student with a conflicting agenda: to debunk Myrddin’s authorship of his most celebrated work, Angharad. Their initial rivalry slowly transforms into a partnership as they delve into the author’s life and work.

The manor itself becomes a character in the story, a brooding entity with secrets hidden in its crumbling walls. 

As Effy and Preston explore its depths, they uncover a web of deceit, betrayal, and a darker magic lurking beneath the surface. The manor’s history intertwines with the lives of its inhabitants, past and present, revealing a disturbing truth about the author and his world.

Effy’s personal history, marked by trauma and a haunting connection to a mythical figure known as the Fairy King, adds a layer of complexity to her character. Her vulnerability is exploited by Ianto, Myrddin’s enigmatic son, who harbors a sinister secret. 

The manor becomes a battleground between the living and the supernatural, as Effy confronts her fears and the malevolent force that seeks to control her.

Through their investigation, Effy and Preston uncover the shocking truth about Angharad’s authorship. 

A woman named Angharad Blackmar, the reclusive widow of Myrddin’s friend and colleague, is revealed as the true author. The story is a testament to the power of the written word and the lengths people will go to protect their creations.

As the narrative unfolds, themes of gender inequality, the pursuit of truth, and the corrupting influence of power are explored. 

The novel is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of challenging established narratives. In the end, Effy emerges as a symbol of resilience and intellectual courage, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of female scholars.

Characters

Effy Sayre

Effy Sayre is the protagonist of the novel. 

She is the only female student at her prestigious architecture college, an institution steeped in gender discrimination. 

Effy’s passion for Llyrian literature, particularly the works of her favorite author Emrys Myrddin, drives her ambition and her sense of identity. Her journey begins with a redesign project for Hiraeth Manor, Myrddin’s home, which becomes a gateway for her to confront both external and internal conflicts. 

Effy is intelligent, determined, and deeply anxious about the erasure of her cultural heritage due to the ongoing war between Llyr and Argant. Her struggle with past trauma, especially the sexual assault by her academic advisor Master Corbenic, adds a layer of vulnerability and strength to her character. 

Throughout the novel, Effy’s interactions with other characters, including her complex relationship with Preston Héloury and her encounters with the enigmatic Fairy King, shape her evolution from a tentative student to a resilient and assertive individual who seeks to uncover the truth and claim her rightful place in academia.

Preston Héloury

Preston Héloury is an Argantian student invited to Hiraeth Manor by Myrddin’s widow to work on his thesis about Myrddin’s authorship. Initially, his presence and goals put him at odds with Effy, as he aims to disprove Myrddin’s authorship of Effy’s cherished novel, “Angharad.” 

Despite their cultural and ideological differences, Preston and Effy develop a complex relationship that shifts from antagonism to mutual respect and collaboration. Preston’s meticulous and scholarly approach contrasts with Effy’s passionate and personal connection to Myrddin’s work, creating a dynamic interplay between them. 

His character is marked by a sense of duty to academic truth and a willingness to challenge established narratives, which ultimately leads him to work alongside Effy in uncovering the real story behind “Angharad.” 

Preston’s empathy and support for Effy, particularly in understanding her trauma and offering her emotional support, play a crucial role in their growing bond and his own character development.

Ianto Myrddin

Ianto Myrddin is the son of the late Emrys Myrddin, who invites Effy to Hiraeth Manor to discuss her redesign project. 

Initially appearing as a benefactor, Ianto’s true intentions and character are gradually revealed as the story unfolds. His inappropriate comments and behavior towards Effy hint at a darker side, which culminates in his revelation as being possessed by the Fairy King. 

Ianto’s desire to sacrifice Preston to ensure the longevity of Hiraeth Manor showcases his descent into madness and the destructive influence of the Fairy King. His role is pivotal in the climax of the story, where Effy must confront both Ianto and the supernatural elements he embodies to save Preston and herself. 

Ianto’s character serves as a symbol of the corrupting influence of power and the past’s haunting presence, both in the literal and metaphorical sense.

Master Corbenic

Master Corbenic is Effy’s academic advisor and a figure of authority at her architecture college. 

He embodies the institutional sexism and abuse of power prevalent in the academic environment. Effy’s fear of Corbenic is rooted in a past experience of sexual assault, making him a symbol of her struggle against gender discrimination and personal trauma. 

His role in the story is largely antagonistic, representing the barriers Effy must overcome to achieve her goals and gain recognition in a male-dominated field. 

The promise of his dismissal at the novel’s end signifies a moment of justice and a step towards a more equitable academic environment, reflecting the broader themes of reformation and accountability.

Angharad

Angharad, initially introduced as Myrddin’s reclusive widow, is later revealed to be the true author of the novel “Angharad.” 

Her character embodies the hidden truths and injustices within the literary and academic worlds. Angharad’s story of writing the novel and selling it to Myrddin in exchange for marriage reflects the sacrifices and compromises women often make in a patriarchal society. 

Her revelation and the subsequent decision to expose the truth about her authorship serve as a catalyst for Effy and Preston’s final actions. 

Angharad’s character highlights the themes of gender discrimination, the erasure of female contributions, and the importance of reclaiming one’s voice and history.

Colin Blackmar

Colin Blackmar is a writer and a key figure in the mystery surrounding Myrddin’s authorship. 

His evasiveness and the letters between Myrddin and what appears to be Blackmar’s daughter add layers of intrigue and complexity to the narrative. 

Blackmar’s involvement with Myrddin and Angharad, coupled with the revelation of their arrangement, underscores the themes of literary fraud and the exploitation of women’s work. 

His character serves as a link between the past and present, connecting the dots in Effy and Preston’s investigation.

The Fairy King

The Fairy King is a mythical and malevolent presence that haunts Effy’s dreams and the narrative of the story. 

Symbolizing the dangers of unchecked power and the allure of the supernatural, the Fairy King represents the darker aspects of both the external world and Effy’s psyche. 

His interactions with Effy, including the hallucination during her ride with Ianto and the final confrontation, are crucial in portraying her inner turmoil and the struggle to distinguish reality from fantasy. The Fairy King’s influence on Ianto and the story’s climax highlights the novel’s exploration of belief, fear, and the power of myth.

Themes

Gender Discrimination

“A Study in Drowning” delves deeply into the theme of gender discrimination, primarily through the experiences of its protagonist, Effy Sayre. 

As the only female student in her prestigious architecture college, Effy constantly faces systemic bias and personal obstacles that highlight the broader issues of gender inequality in academic and professional environments. 

Her struggle for recognition and respect within a male-dominated institution mirrors real-world issues of gender discrimination in academia. Effy’s interactions with Master Corbenic, who sexually assaults her, further underscore the pervasive and insidious nature of gender-based power dynamics. 

This act of violence not only traumatizes Effy but also signifies the broader challenges women face in navigating spaces traditionally dominated by men. 

The novel also contrasts Effy’s experiences with the historical silencing of Angharad, whose authorship was obscured by male counterparts, thus reinforcing the idea that women’s contributions have often been marginalized or appropriated by men.

The Pursuit of Truth

The pursuit of truth is a central theme in the novel, driving the plot and character motivations. 

Effy and Preston’s quest to uncover the true authorship of Angharad reflects a deeper intellectual and moral journey. This pursuit is fraught with challenges, including societal prejudices, personal biases, and the manipulative deceptions of those in power, such as Ianto and the Fairy King. 

Effy’s initial resistance to Preston’s thesis about Myrddin’s work reveals her own biases, which she must overcome to seek the truth objectively. Their investigation reveals not just the truth about the novel’s authorship but also deeper truths about identity, power, and the construction of history. 

The revelation that Angharad, a woman, wrote the celebrated novel challenges the accepted literary canon and forces characters and readers alike to reconsider how truth is shaped by those who hold power.

The Power of Stories and Belief

Stories and belief wield significant power in the narrative, influencing characters’ actions and the course of the plot. 

Effy’s fascination with Myrddin’s works, particularly Angharad, shapes her identity and drives her ambitions. This belief in the narrative crafted by Myrddin initially blinds her to the possibility of deception, illustrating how stories can both inspire and mislead. The novel explores how belief in stories can confer power, as seen with Ianto’s manipulation through the legend of the Fairy King. 

Effy’s hallucinations and dreams involving the Fairy King further blur the line between reality and myth, highlighting the psychological impact of deeply held beliefs. 

Ultimately, the revelation of Angharad’s true authorship serves as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of personal narratives and the necessity of reclaiming and honoring suppressed voices. 

The story underscores that belief in one’s own story and the courage to pursue the truth can lead to profound personal and societal transformation.