The Curiosity Cabinet by Catherine Czerkawska - first published in 2005
Alternate chapters of the book tell of the experiences of two women while they are staying on the same fictional island of Garve/Eilean Garbh but more than 300 years apart. The parallel stories are linked by the island itself and by an embroidered curiosity cabinet.
In the present day recently divorced Alys revisits Garve, a place where she enjoyed several childhood holidays. She meets up again with local fisherman Donal McNeill, with whom she and her brother played as children and this time she falls in love with him. In the 17th century Henrietta is kidnapped while travelling from her home in Linlithgow to visit her brother and sister-in-law in Edinburgh. She is taken to Eilean Garbh where, once she has got over the initial shock, she finds herself falling in love with Manus McNeill, the man who was paid to kidnap her. The link between the two stories is that Donal is a descendant of Manus McNeill and the embroidered curiosity cabinet, which once belonged to Henrietta, has been passed down his family through the generations and is displayed in the island's hotel, where it catches Alys's eye.
I started off enjoying the present day story the most but gradually became more interested in Henrietta's story. 7/10
Tuesday 29 October 2013
Book 38 - Katie Morag and the Two Grandmothers
Katie Morag and the Two Grandmothers by Mairi Hedderwick - first published in 1985
This is a picture book for the under 5s. Katie Morag is a small girl who lives on the fictional island of Struay. There are at least 10 different books about her, all of which are beautifully illustrated by the author. The stories are short and simple but entertaining and on each page there are lots of details to look at in the pictures.
Katie Morag's fashion conscious and sophisticated grandmother, who lives on the mainland, comes to stay on Struay for a holiday. Her other grandmother - Grannie Island - doesn't get on well with her as she thinks she spends too much time on her appearance. Grannie Island on the other hand is a down to earth practical lady, who lives in wellies and dungarees. She enters her sheep Alecina in the island show but on the day of the show Alecina goes swimming in a bog and ends up filthy. While Granma Mainland is at the show Katie Morag borrows her shampoo and curlers and she and Grannie Island smarten up Alecina so well with them that she wins first prize. Grannie Island comes to appreciate that Granma Mainland has her uses. 8/10
Struay is based on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll.
This is a picture book for the under 5s. Katie Morag is a small girl who lives on the fictional island of Struay. There are at least 10 different books about her, all of which are beautifully illustrated by the author. The stories are short and simple but entertaining and on each page there are lots of details to look at in the pictures.
Katie Morag's fashion conscious and sophisticated grandmother, who lives on the mainland, comes to stay on Struay for a holiday. Her other grandmother - Grannie Island - doesn't get on well with her as she thinks she spends too much time on her appearance. Grannie Island on the other hand is a down to earth practical lady, who lives in wellies and dungarees. She enters her sheep Alecina in the island show but on the day of the show Alecina goes swimming in a bog and ends up filthy. While Granma Mainland is at the show Katie Morag borrows her shampoo and curlers and she and Grannie Island smarten up Alecina so well with them that she wins first prize. Grannie Island comes to appreciate that Granma Mainland has her uses. 8/10
Struay is based on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll.
Arinagour, Coll
Beach on the NW Coast of Coll
Hogh Bay, Coll
Wednesday 9 October 2013
Book 37 - The Stormy Petrel
The Stormy Petrel by Mary Stewart - first published in 1991
Cambridge University lecturer Rose Fenemore arrives on the fictional island of Moila (which is supposed to be located between Mull and Coll & Tiree) to stay in a remote cottage for a few weeks. Her brother Crispin is supposed to be joining her a day or so later but he is slightly injured in a train crash on his way there, so he is delayed. One stormy evening 2 men arrive separately at her cottage seeking shelter but neither of them has a convincing story about why they are on the island. Rose chooses to believe Ewen Mackay and together they set out to find out why the other man, who calls himself John Parsons, is on the island. There is a bit of suspense and a touch of romance but the eventual outcome isn't that exciting.
I was certain that I had read this book when it first came out but I didn't remember any of the plot, so maybe I am mistaken or maybe I have read too many books in the last 20 years to be able to remember all the plots. 7/10
Cambridge University lecturer Rose Fenemore arrives on the fictional island of Moila (which is supposed to be located between Mull and Coll & Tiree) to stay in a remote cottage for a few weeks. Her brother Crispin is supposed to be joining her a day or so later but he is slightly injured in a train crash on his way there, so he is delayed. One stormy evening 2 men arrive separately at her cottage seeking shelter but neither of them has a convincing story about why they are on the island. Rose chooses to believe Ewen Mackay and together they set out to find out why the other man, who calls himself John Parsons, is on the island. There is a bit of suspense and a touch of romance but the eventual outcome isn't that exciting.
I was certain that I had read this book when it first came out but I didn't remember any of the plot, so maybe I am mistaken or maybe I have read too many books in the last 20 years to be able to remember all the plots. 7/10
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