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blackcatlouise's review against another edition
5.0
Planning a hebrides trip of my own when this is over.
Brilliantly well written, erudite but extremely readable.
Brilliantly well written, erudite but extremely readable.
elhiwe's review against another edition
4.0
This was not a page-turner in the typical sense (as evidenced by the embarrassing 11 times I had to renew it at the library), but it was certainly a haunting, pulling examination of the history, culture, and ecology of various islands in the Hebrides. At times, the history or physical descriptions of the land were dry, but the book was also rife with poetic descriptions that brought the land and sea to life. Descriptions of the Gaels' traditional worldview and way of life, coupled with the sad history and cultural turmoil faced over the last several hundred years, made my heart swell and break. I think this book gave real justice to the Gaelic people.
I have a particular appreciation for this given my own ancestral connection to these islands. I was fascinated to read about the places my ancestors lived, and the forces that brought them across the Atlantic. You can still see the influence of Gaelic values and culture in eastern Canada today.
I have a particular appreciation for this given my own ancestral connection to these islands. I was fascinated to read about the places my ancestors lived, and the forces that brought them across the Atlantic. You can still see the influence of Gaelic values and culture in eastern Canada today.
rhonaea's review against another edition
5.0
I just loved the wonderful narrative of the Hebrides; it’s soft, siren voice. The lure of isolated and sparsely populated isles, which are saturated in culture, heritage, Gaelic and inextricably linked with Scottish identity. Realism unveils horizontal rain, being cut-off from ferries and supplies and abandoned by government. It’s a wonderful read, beautifully written and soundly researched.
aikematilde's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best non-fiction books I've ever read - engaging, poetic and SO interesting. Must-read for anyone wanting to know more about the Scottish islands.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
4.0
To describe the Outer Hebrides as remote is somewhat of an understatement. Even today it can take the best part of a day to get to, but once you are there you have reached not only some of the oldest parts of our planet, but also the epicentre of one of our country’s ancient cultures. This edgeland is the very periphery of our landscape and faces the full brunt of everything that the Atlantic can throw at it; even the summer can have five days of gales a month. This tough, uncompromising landscape shapes the place and the people that inhabit it.
People belong to places, rather than place belong to people
These islands have attracted a variety of people over the millennia. There were those who sought religious solitude on Iona and whilst there created the works of art that are the Book of Kells. Jura’s simple way of life gave George Orwell the space that he needed to create the dystopian horror that is 1984. The traditional way of life on the islands is formed as much by the landscape as it is by the language, and these tough, resilient people took those qualities with them as they left the islands either by choice or enforced by landowners. It is to this landscape that Bunting returns to countless times over six years, immersing herself into it, teasing out stories of the people and history and letting the place soak into her.
‘I couldn’t conceive of living on this land without getting my hands dirty. It keeps me connected with the place.’
This is another really well written book by Bunting, she has managed to capture the very essence of the Outer Hebrides as she travels around and crosses the straits between the islands including a boat trip heads out to the Strait of Corryvreckan, the place where Orwell nearly drowned and is the location of one of the world’s most powerful whirlpools. Well worth reading.
People belong to places, rather than place belong to people
These islands have attracted a variety of people over the millennia. There were those who sought religious solitude on Iona and whilst there created the works of art that are the Book of Kells. Jura’s simple way of life gave George Orwell the space that he needed to create the dystopian horror that is 1984. The traditional way of life on the islands is formed as much by the landscape as it is by the language, and these tough, resilient people took those qualities with them as they left the islands either by choice or enforced by landowners. It is to this landscape that Bunting returns to countless times over six years, immersing herself into it, teasing out stories of the people and history and letting the place soak into her.
‘I couldn’t conceive of living on this land without getting my hands dirty. It keeps me connected with the place.’
This is another really well written book by Bunting, she has managed to capture the very essence of the Outer Hebrides as she travels around and crosses the straits between the islands including a boat trip heads out to the Strait of Corryvreckan, the place where Orwell nearly drowned and is the location of one of the world’s most powerful whirlpools. Well worth reading.
kingjason's review
4.0
My knowledge of the Hebrides at the start of this book was "they are somewhere north of Scotland"....turns out even that simple little fact was wrong, They are on the North West. I also knew they were made up of loads of little islands....almost correct, yes there are lots of little islands but Lewis/Harris is the 3rd biggest Island in Great Britain, so it turns out I know nothing.
Madeleine Bunting had been planning this trip for years, she had a map on her wall of the Hebrides as inspiration and like me she has this need to travel North to escape the South of England. She fully immerses herself, talking to anybody she can, trying to get a handle on Gaelic and even going on trips in rough seas on a small boat. The history of the place is incredible, before the Government started the clearances people had been farming these small islands for 1000s of years, their survival was amazing. Bonnie Prince Charlie landed here too, to kick of his campaign against the English. Another very interesting thing raised by Madeleine was to do with maps, on a map of the UK the sea is just a border, you don't realise it's vastness until you are out on a boat looking at a map of the sea which shows the land as the border. Made me chuckle.
This book has made me want to visit, the biggest appeal for me are the causeways between some of the islands, that would make for a great road-trip. This book is heavy on the history, politics and religion but not for one second does it get boring. A fascinating source of info on the Hebrides that I would highly recommend....plus it has maps (wooooooo).
Blog review> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2019/06/08/love-of-country-a-hebridean-journey-by-madeleine-bunting/
Madeleine Bunting had been planning this trip for years, she had a map on her wall of the Hebrides as inspiration and like me she has this need to travel North to escape the South of England. She fully immerses herself, talking to anybody she can, trying to get a handle on Gaelic and even going on trips in rough seas on a small boat. The history of the place is incredible, before the Government started the clearances people had been farming these small islands for 1000s of years, their survival was amazing. Bonnie Prince Charlie landed here too, to kick of his campaign against the English. Another very interesting thing raised by Madeleine was to do with maps, on a map of the UK the sea is just a border, you don't realise it's vastness until you are out on a boat looking at a map of the sea which shows the land as the border. Made me chuckle.
This book has made me want to visit, the biggest appeal for me are the causeways between some of the islands, that would make for a great road-trip. This book is heavy on the history, politics and religion but not for one second does it get boring. A fascinating source of info on the Hebrides that I would highly recommend....plus it has maps (wooooooo).
Blog review> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2019/06/08/love-of-country-a-hebridean-journey-by-madeleine-bunting/
rjnicaoidh's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I found Bunting's take on the Outer Hebrides interesting yet it fell into the trope of 'Londoners' coming to the Hebrides and writing about it as if it is a new land full on unknown things and hostile natives (hint: it is not).
As a native speaker it was nice to see her take an interest in the language, as this is often ignored in these types of travel-style memoirs.
Overall, I think it is worth reading but Bunting doesn't quite get Scottish politics and identity and this seems clear at points; so well worth reading but it is more informative about what English people may think about the area than on the culture of the Hebrides itself, which is worth bearing in mind.
As a native speaker it was nice to see her take an interest in the language, as this is often ignored in these types of travel-style memoirs.
Overall, I think it is worth reading but Bunting doesn't quite get Scottish politics and identity and this seems clear at points; so well worth reading but it is more informative about what English people may think about the area than on the culture of the Hebrides itself, which is worth bearing in mind.
lnatal's review
3.0
From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week:
Journalist Madeleine Bunting explores the history and landscapes of the Hebrides and demonstrates how this chain of islands in the north west has shaped both Scotland and Britain. Her first journey takes her to Jura, the remote wilderness where George Orwell wrote 1984.
Read by Doon Mackichan
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08575fm
Journalist Madeleine Bunting explores the history and landscapes of the Hebrides and demonstrates how this chain of islands in the north west has shaped both Scotland and Britain. Her first journey takes her to Jura, the remote wilderness where George Orwell wrote 1984.
Read by Doon Mackichan
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08575fm
fankle's review
3.0
I was surprised by how little I enjoyed this. The personal narrative seemed thin and the voices of current Hebrideans too quiet in comparison to the historical sources and stories.
lydiaslifeinbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book is like a walk: there is a lot to see and a lot to wonder about, but sometimes your mind drifts away a few paragraphs and that's fine too. You'll pick up the pace the next page.
Bunting takes you on a tour through the Hebridean isles, giving you their history of culture, politics, religion, nature and more. I wish there were more chapters.
Bunting takes you on a tour through the Hebridean isles, giving you their history of culture, politics, religion, nature and more. I wish there were more chapters.