by Nancy,
The Isle of Lewis is the most desolate and harshly beautiful place in Scotland. When a bloody murder on the island bears the hallmarks of a similar slaying in Edinburgh, police detective Fin Macleod is dispatched north to investigate. Since Fin himself was raised on the island, the investigation represents not only a journey home but a voyage into his past.
The story unfolds through two threads.
The first thread describes Fin in third person as he returns to the island and proceeds through his investigation; the second thread is written in first person from Fin's perspective as the story of his childhood unfolds.
When we step inside Fin's head, are we stepping back in time to be with Fin the child? Or are we hearing the thoughts and memories as recalled by Fin the adult, looking back?
The first thread describes Fin in third person as he returns to the island and proceeds through his investigation; the second thread is written in first person from Fin's perspective as the story of his childhood unfolds.
When we step inside Fin's head, are we stepping back in time to be with Fin the child? Or are we hearing the thoughts and memories as recalled by Fin the adult, looking back?
Hope this link works, and it helps us set the scene for this story.
Most importantly, are we interested enough to continue this trilogy?
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteI hope Benjamin is enjoying school, Katie, and that you are getting some time for yourself. And I hope Australia has seen more rain, Nancy. Thinking of water, have you been able to go kayaking? It’s getting much colder here now, and after our positively tropical summer it’s difficult to adjust. Going out last night I had to find a coat. It was certainly worth braving the elements, though. We went to a great concert, given by an excellent band of musicians led by a very good vocalist – also handsome and quick witted. Many of the audience clearly knew the singer personally. The repartee between him and his audience was often hysterical. It’s rare the topic of a cheese board provided in the band’s ‘retirement’ room affords such entertainment.
To be honest, I needed a bit of cheering up after reading ‘The Blackhouse’. Wonderful link you gave us, Nancy, thank you. It also led me to An Segeir and guga hunting. (Never fails to amaze me what you can find on YouTube.)
In answer to your question, Nancy, I think we are reading the thoughts and memories of the older Fin recalling his youth, rather than a ‘true’ first person account. For example, when talking to Gigs MacAulay about his reasons for not wanting to go to An Segeir, Fin says; ‘I have no recollection now of what I said to him that night’ (p.247). And given the awful things that happened to him in his childhood, I’m quite glad we did not step back to be with Fin as a child. Some past events, of course, are shared with Fionnlagh, making Fin blink away ‘the beginnings of tears’. (p.351).
Like Fin, I returned to my own home after years away (just as we all met, in fact) and I can sympathise with the exile returning home thread of the novel. I’m happy to say that my own homecoming bore no resemblance to Fin’s!
I very much admired the plotting and scene setting, and enjoyed DS Gunn. It’s a very depressing novel, nevertheless, unremitting in its portrayal of harsh environments and human beings’ evil and weakness. However, May does point out that these live alongside the good qualities found in, for example, Angel Macritchie and Mr. Macinnes. Perhaps it’s this balance of the good and evil that permeates life that May is trying to convey. I thought the description of the young trawler men (p440) who decide to take Fin to An Segeir epitomizes this: born into generations of poverty, just existing in really difficult conditions, they can still find within themselves huge reserves of generous bravery, with the humour to leaven the task.
Though we never got to Lewis, Jay and I once took the ferry from Skye to North Uist on a day of brilliant sunshine. In my ignorance, I can imagine North Uist to be Lewis. May could be describing either one. Beautiful. Though I have to say, digging up peat did not look an easy task. More evidence of nature’s balance, I suppose. Beauty comes at a price.
The title of the second book, ‘The Lewis Man’, suggests Fin is coming home to stay, so maybe May might (unrealistically) balance the scales more in favour of beauty and judiciously utilized strength.
I look forward to finding out.
Much love to you both
Sue
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteHappy to report sufficient rain in our area to make the garden bloom, sadly though some areas are still drought affected. We haven’t been out on the water for awhile though, I was house bound for a few weeks while my face was being treated for some keratosis. Nothing major, just the results of an irresponsible childhood spent in too much sun.
Also, one of my doggies was diagnosed with Coon Hound Disease !!!
Remarkable really as he is not a coon hound and we have no racoons in Australia, they claim it can also be contracted by bacteria in raw meat. He has been know to bring the odd bit of carrion home so perhaps that’s where he contracted it. The results are paralysis and many months recovery, no pain though which is a relief. He is making progress but also needs lots of care so I’ve been playing nursemaid. Ridiculous how attached we get to animals.
I agree with you Sue, The Black House is quite depressing novel, however I must confess I love British crime stories so this was right up my alley. Ivars has even banned me from choosing any more on Netflix, I’ve become so obsessed. My favourites are Broadchurch, set on the Jurassic Coast and Shetland, obviously set in the Shetland Isles. As I was reading The Black House I found it easy to imagine it as a mini series and on further investigation found out that it is a radio series and Peter May is also a script writer.
I have never been to Lewis either, but like you Sue, I’ve been to Skye and we also visited Staffa, which I imagined to be something like An Sgeir with its treacherous landing area, sea cave and jagged rocks. It is so beautiful out there, yet so dangerous.
I watched the video on the guga hunt also and while I found it upsetting and unnecessary, I also thought about all the massive abuses of animals going on right now, to the raping and destruction of our fish and marine life by super trawlers to the abuse of domestic animals force fed and forced to live in limited spaces and all our wildlife losing habitat due to constant land clearing. It sort of put 2000 birds a year into perspective for me. Although tradition and culture never holds much sway with me when it comes to cruelty. I always remember my wise daughter telling me, people create tradition and culture not the other way around. If it’s wrong we can change it and create new traditions and culture.
I have a confession to make about our series, I have read on to The Lewisman. Sorry to say Sue, it doesn’t get any cheerier but it is good.
Katie I hope all is well with you and your family, I bet Benjamin is loving school.
Love to you both.
Hello Ladies! The weather here has been crazy. One minute it’s fall, the next summer is back. Benjamin is loving school. Lillian enjoys watching her big brother get on and off the bus. Nancy, I’m glad you have gotten rain. I hope you get some more of ours. We don’t seem to know what sunshine looks like here. As for your dog, I understand completely the love of a pet as I now pay too much for a special cat food to prevent our kitty from getting urinary crystals. Sue, I’m not sure October’s book will provide you with the cheer you would like. You may need to consider some more shows and concerts. Hopefully you have a mild winter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a traumatic life led by Fin! The novel kept me guessing for most of it. I did feel as though something was missing in regards to Fin’s desperate desire to leave the island and his disinterest in going on the An Segeir. But I did not guess it was due to abuse at the hands of Mr. Macinnes. So much sorrow in such an unforgiving environment. And it would seem that the cycle was repeating with Artair and Fionnlagh. I do wonder if Fin is truly Fionnlagh’s father or if he was merely trying to be kind to a mistreated boy.
I did not look up any videos on the An Segeir. I assumed it would not be to my liking. I did watch your video of our setting and have to say that I was most disturbed by the absence of trees. It looked so incredibly cold and harsh. I am not sure that I would survive in such a place. However, I am open to finishing The Lewis Man series. I am ok if you ladies wish to switch tracks on our October novel. We can go straight into The Lewisman and read Songs in Ordinary Time later. Please let me know what you both would like to do.
I look forward to hearing from you both!
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to do either thing - carry on with the trilogy or read Songs in Ordinary Times. One book is on its way to me, and I already have the other. Having said that, perhaps it might be as well to continue with Fin - I hadn't considered the possibility that Fionnlagh might not be Fin's child! A worrying prospect given its implications for Fin's relationships with Fionnlagh's mother. But if you have strong views, Nancy, I'm happy to continue with the original plan. I hope the dog's good progress continues, Nancy - and so pleased Benjamin is enjoying school, Katie. Must be a joy to listen to him.
Much love to you both
Sue
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteWhat say I change our book list order and we spend a little more time on Lewis?
I'm good with that, thanks Katie for suggesting it.
I agree with you Katie, I don't think I'd survive very long in the cold winter's on Lewis. It is incredibly beautiful and atmospheric with the squally ocean, blustery winds and peat smoke in the air, but I would definitely be a visit only sort of girl!
love to you both
Starting Lewis Man today. Thank you ladies.
ReplyDelete