A bleak, but lyrical, look at what happens to an outlying community on a remote island off the coast of Maine, when so-called civilization decides their future fates for them. A poetic tale of racial, religious and societal injustice and prejudice. ~ Reviewed by Becky Doherty
A beautiful and lyrical vignette of the lives of a small cast of characters. Centered around a boys' school in Ireland, dynamics shift when a new teacher comes to teach woodworking, and introduces the project of building a boat. At its heart though, are the ways in which humans interact with each other, and themselves, and the ways that relationships can hurt and heal us. Be it in the often brutal world of young teenagers, or the messy world of marriage, add to it religion and addiction, and the different ways that we can cope, or not, with those things, and Feeney has brought together a novel encompassing the fragility of the human psyche and shown us the beauty that can exist there. Highly Recommend! ~ Reviewed by Becky Doherty
Eng’s new novel is atmospheric, mesmerizing, cinematic, all-in-all just sublime. Set in the lush, humid, mists of Malaya, we are drawn into the stories and histories of the people there, all sparked by a visit one season by the famous author, Somerset “Willie” Maugham. The language is as poetic and alluring as the country and people it describes, stunning! ~ Reviewed by Becky Doherty
An intensely beautiful reflection on a life, where time is swollen, swirling and all encompassing. Myth, folklore, memories, recollection and dreams are intermingled to tell the only story that matters, a person’s own story, their lived experience, but with the touch of Garner’s genius to fall into. Just stunning. ~ Reviewed by Becky Doherty
A must read author for me, and she does not disappoint with her latest! Winn and her husband, Moth, set out on what they hope will be a healing walk for him, and somehow just keep going. They eventually walk an epic thousand miles down the island from Scotland to back home in Cornwall. We are brought along for the highs, the brutal lows, the spiritual nature of walking, and the often transformative effect it has on their reality. Believe me, it’s a journey you’ll want to experience. ~ Reviewed by Becky Doherty