pickA short, quiet novel that shows life on a small, fictional (but historically based) island off the coast of Wales. Set as WWII looms on the horizon, the book is able to touch upon a remote village‘s isolation from (& its responsibility to?) the broader world. As well as individuals‘ relationships with what is provided and/or prevented by the distance.
Several flavors of audacity tied to imperialism & classism are also on full display.
pickSet in the late nineteenth century, this is a short novella of two intertwining stories. First is a priest who is hunting a blue fox and gets trapped in an avalanche and ends up hallucinating. The second is the story of a herbalist and the girl with Down‘s syndrome that he ends up rescuing and caring for until her death. The two stories come together and while there is darkness there is also goodness in this story.
On a remote island off the coast of Wales
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@Cupcake12
pick4⭐️ I was quite surprised by this book and liked the descriptions of life in this remote Welsh fishing village prior to WWII. Read for the #literarycrew #readalong. #2025 #literaryfiction #historicalfiction #fiction
pickThis book transports the reader to a small Welsh fishing island in the years leading up to World War II. The islanders live in the old traditional ways, but change is coming… indeed has already come to the mainland. The writing is spare but poignant, honest but nuanced, immersive but reflective. A true gem of a read. I feel like I lived this book.
Another fabulous #LiteraryCrew selection. You definitely know how to pick ‘em, @Librarybelle ! 👏
pickI had no idea about the Highland Clearances before this novel. People were being forcibly removed from their homes in the Highlands & the islands by their landlords. It‘s bleak and devastating. This novella follows John, a minister-turned-errand boy who is sent to evict Ivar, the last inhabitant on his island. John becomes injured and Ivar saves his life. Their growing bond, and the arrival of John‘s wife Mary, challenge what family really means.
It‘s time for our #LiteraryCrew discussion! I have 7 questions posted as spoilers; you can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtags.
I realized I never posted the graphic for next month‘s Ragtime, so I will get that posted today.
7. O'Connor mentions a few islands that inspired this story, including St. Kilda. To get a perspective of the islands and the harshness of life, not to mention the village remains, I have a Mirror article link in the comments. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. We have to talk about the whale! Do you think the whale was a good omen or a bad omen? O'Connor uses the arrival and departure of the whale's remains as an arc for the story. Why do you think she did this? What does the whale symbolize? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
