Read over 5 days.
Sealskin
Donald is a young fisherman, eking out a lonely living on the west coast of Scotland. One night he witnesses something miraculous, and makes a terrible mistake. His action changes lives—not only his own, but those of his family and the entire tightly knit community in which they live. Can he ever atone for the wrong he has done, and can love grow when its foundation is violence? Based on the legend of the selkies—seals who can transform into people—evokes the harsh beauty of the landscape, the resilience of its people, both human and animal, and the triumph of hope over fear and prejudice. With exquisite grace, Su Bristow transports us to a different world, subtly and beautifully exploring what it means to be an outsider, and our innate capacity for forgiveness and acceptance. Rich with myth and magic, Sealskin is, nonetheless, a very human story, as relevant to our world as to the timeless place in which it is set
My thoughts:
| This was a beautiful read. The writing was so beautiful and entrancing. I find this hard to believe it’s a debut novel. I was recommended this book and was glad it was so. It’s based on Scottish folk lore, On the tales of the Selkies, seals who change to human form when they set foot on land. Donald when out checking his crab traps is a witness to this miracle, and takes the fateful decision to hide the sealskin of one Selkie so she is marooned; in human form to the land. This was a read that combines folk traditions and all the mundane tasks of everyday living; earning a living, raising children etc. I would recommend this read as a alternative to anyone who is maybe jaded with their current genre. A 5 star read for me. About the Author.  Sue Bristow |
