Welcome to Litsy!

18 year old Manod lives on a small Welsh island whose population is steadily decreasing as people leave for easier lives on the mainland. She is smart and dreams of more than a life where her only future is marriage. When strangers arrive to study the island Manod is both drawn to them and dismayed at how wrong they are about her home. A quiet novel with a unique and complicated heroine, this was easy to finish quickly but left much to consider.

Debut novel about a small Welsh island community right before World War II. This was one of the books I had predicted would make the booker last year (I was wrong). Quiet novel about island life that is beautifully written. Fairly similar to The Colony. Story follows 18-yo Manood who is conflicted between traditions of her community and desire for modernization on the mainland.

Reminiscent of a few books I‘ve enjoyed: The Colony by Audrey Magee and Clear by Carys Davies. It‘s a slim novel, set in 1938 off the coast of Wales on a tiny island with 20 inhabitants. We see the island from Manod‘s perspective, an 18 year old girl living with her father and younger sister, when two English researchers arrive. Seeing her existence through their eyes changes everything. Isolated community, heavy on the nature and scenery.

Reading this book on Christmas Eve has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember. My dad would read it to me when I was a kid.

It‘s a beautiful little story, and I love it, and the movie adaptation. 🩵

#SundayFunday Have a wonderful day, and don‘t forget to tag me!

Just loved this! One of those books that I had completely the wrong idea about, and was only persuaded by another reader to give it a go.

'Your English is perfect,' Joan said, watching me thoughtfully. 'Edward was worried we wouldn't find someone.'
'I learnt at school. From Sister Mary and from reading Woman's Own.'
She laughed loudly, again. I laughed too. No one found me funny on the island.
'I see. Well, it's perfect. You could pass for an Englishwoman.'
Joan looked out at the sea.

'Greatest country in the world.'

[Sensing an authorial raised eyebrow here]

Beautiful writing and a bleak island life. Whilst a little predictable in the romance element, still held its worth. I liked the portrayal of young life and the natural and harsh world. Also a good time of the year to read it.

A former prostitute and drug addict, who seemed to have been turning her life around, is found dead in a squat with the body of her 6 year old daughter. Next to her body is a credit card belonging to a multi-millionaire who had died in a plane crash 6 months earlier.

#coffeeandabook