The Plover (boat)

The Plover is a small, green fishing trawler with red sails that is purchased used by Declan at the age of seventeen. The Plover is a small but sturdy craft with a storied history, including a small wreck, time as a whalewatching boat, and an owner who presumably faked his death. The plover is the vehicle by which Declan seeks to escape human society, but ultimately comes to foster it instead. The Plover is named after the Pacific Golden Plover and also comes to serve as a setting for the novel (see the section “Settings” in this study guide).

The Pacific Golden Plover (bird)

The Pacific Golden Plover is the namesake of Declan’s ship. The plover is a small, slight, overlooked bird that is nevertheless capable of traveling great distances and is incredibly strong for its size. It is only natural that Declan...