I utterly adored "The Good Doctor of Warsaw" which was, without doubt, the most moving book I've ever read. So there was a sense of trepidation about reading this one, because how could it possibly compete with it's predecessor.
Thankfully "The Lost Lights of St Kilda" is more than up to the task. Once again the author has tackled a story, based on the truth, with such beauty and poignancy that it takes your breath away.
St Kilda is an extremely remote Scottish island. It's people are self sufficient and survive each year thanks to the avian inhabitants that return to their cliffs each year. However as the younger members of the population start to leave the prospect of the remaining islanders being able to survive becomes bleaker with every passing year.
Intertwined within this is a gentle love story between islander Chrissie and visitor Fred. A halcyon summer when Fred falls in love with the island and is prepared to leave behind his Cambridge education - but for a lie told by his good friend Archie.
Mostly set in the early 1940's the story is mostly told in a series of flashbacks/memories as Fred tries to escape occupied France. Although it's some 13 years since he left Chrissie on St Kilda, his love has never died - but is it all too late now?
A stunner of a novel with an equally stunning cover.
Thankfully "The Lost Lights of St Kilda" is more than up to the task. Once again the author has tackled a story, based on the truth, with such beauty and poignancy that it takes your breath away.
St Kilda is an extremely remote Scottish island. It's people are self sufficient and survive each year thanks to the avian inhabitants that return to their cliffs each year. However as the younger members of the population start to leave the prospect of the remaining islanders being able to survive becomes bleaker with every passing year.
Intertwined within this is a gentle love story between islander Chrissie and visitor Fred. A halcyon summer when Fred falls in love with the island and is prepared to leave behind his Cambridge education - but for a lie told by his good friend Archie.
Mostly set in the early 1940's the story is mostly told in a series of flashbacks/memories as Fred tries to escape occupied France. Although it's some 13 years since he left Chrissie on St Kilda, his love has never died - but is it all too late now?
A stunner of a novel with an equally stunning cover.