Seal Mother ~ A Selkie Tale in Verse is a delightful book telling a familiar story in a unique way. The illustrated poetry is a pleasure to read and reread.
The legends about seals coming to life in human form have inspired and seduced me ever since we moved to Scotland and Seal Mother is so beautiful.
This paperback would be perfect as a gift for a young girl or teenager who appreciates literature, folk tales and poetry. It may even inspire her to write her own.
Filed under Book reviews, Guest author, Scotland
I have just finished reading this powerful book, perfect for a wet and windy Sunday when I was self indulgent and read for a few hours.
Twins were born in a hospital in Brazil as their parents had to flee their homeland escaping to England. Carolina was distraught as she left them behind even though she was reassured that they would be cared for. Unfortunately only one twin was adopted by a wealthy family, whereas the other twin was left on the street. They were teenagers before Jose’s parents began to search for his lost brother just at the time as Jose’s natural parents risked returning to Brazil.
The story is written from several points of view which gives you a complete picture of their individual lives and the mixed emotions each character is experiencing. The imminent danger, the contrast between the rich and dire poverty and the heart rendering decisions made ‘keeps the reader on their toes’ as the plot twists and turns.
A Boy from the Streets is a well written complex novel which had me gripped ’til the end.
Filed under Book reviews, Guest author
I bought the paperback of The Chessmen by Peter May at the Kildonan Museum in South Uist, a perfect place to pick up a novel set in the bleak but stunningly beautiful landscapes of The Outer Hebrides.
Fin and his mates grew up together in the close knit communities of the island of Lewis, the place where the famous Chessmen were discovered; an island where each group of peoples have their unique identity. In their late teenage years before uni the friends were completely absorbed with music, forming a band which went on to success.
Fin arrives back on the island of his birth from a broken marriage and personal tragedies, leaving behind him his career in the police, only to find himself in the centre of mysteries, even murder. His new job to catch poachers on the estate brings him in direct conflict with his oldest and dearest friend.
This novel is full of flashbacks to the past, which help the reader to understand the complex issues of the present. Fin’s detective mind makes it impossible for him to leave alone the attempt to unravel each mystery, putting his and other lives in grave danger.
A brilliant book! The evocative surroundings wrap around Peter May’s colourful character, whose nicknames describe each perfectly ~ from boy to adulthood. I couldn’t put The Chessmen down and must now go back to read the first in this series.
Filed under Book reviews, Scotland, Scottish authors
MISSING Past and Present
Diana Jackson 