Clear by Carys Davies immediately drew me in. The story takes place in 1843 and revolves around three main characters: good-hearted, somewhat bumbling Scottish Free Church minister John Ferguson; his steady, astute wife Mary; and Ivar, the last remaining occupant of a remote Scottish island, and custodian of a dying language. Davies skilfully weaves her …
Tag: reading
ending the year on a reading high
I've read a lot this year, including around 400 short stories for the Manchester Fiction Prize in the first few months of 2022. As a writer it's often hard for me to switch off the critical/analytical part of my brain when reading, so finding the right book to read in bed before sleep can be …
half a dozen joys
It's not been the easiest year, but here are a few things that have brought me joy: Flickerbook by Leila Berg, published by CB editions. I have read quite a lot this year but this is the book that immediately comes to mind as my favourite. I loved it from the very first page. Berg's …
Hilaire 