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kielma's review
4.0
This book would be the perfect pick for a book club. The story isn't adventurous or even particularly exciting, but it's chock full of things to think about. It screams for discussion. When I finished the last sentence I just wished I knew someone else in this world who had read it so I could talk about it with them. Woah, what was that about? The main themes are fairly obviously hatred and innocence, but there's so much depth to it. The story is set on a large Scottish estate during WWII. On this estate is a large wood that is slated to be chopped down in the Spring, it's lumber to be used in the war effort. As such, two men have been hired to climb to the top of the trees and collect cones for seed to replace the forest once it has been felled. All the able-bodied men are off at war so the cone-gatherers are a middle-aged rheumatic and his younger brother, a simple-minded hunchbacked dwarf. The cone-gatherers' low station in society along with the younger brother's deformities inspire hatred and love in those around them. This shares many similarities with Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, but is also quite different. The depth is amazing and worth the read just for that. The ending, the fate that awaits innocence, is shocking--perhaps foreseeable, but shocking just the same.
scottishclaire's review
5.0
Desperately dark, funny and tragic. My first Robin Jenkins book, it won’t be my last.
vilhelmiina_h's review
3.0
I had a yearlong break halfway through, but got to the end. It’s very descriptive and beautifully written, the sense of place is strong. A strange story, but not in a bad way. The inner monologues of the main characters are very illuminating and make an interesting read.
idealpages's review
3.0
This is one of those reads I appreciate for it has its place within literature to admire. Jenkin’s illustrations and themes are very hard-hitting, and have undoubtedly imprinted on my mind forever.
The most effective component of the book, in my opinion, is the consistent build to its climax. The foreshadowing from early pages until the last few sentences left me speechless. I was left feeling rather void in regard to the compassion and cruelty human beings are capable of, that is to say, I felt quite distressed by the book’s events. I didn’t find many of the characters likeable – however I suspect this wasn’t an aim Jenkin’s had in mind when writing the book anyways. The book focuses more on the plot, themes etc. instead, which are quite good. The use of contrasting characters to nature, and other underlying themes, made the plot of the book somewhat enjoyable, enough to persevere to the end. It also helps that the book is very well written.
As much as there is a lot going on within the book that can be discussed, I am still quite taken aback that this is a book used as a core text for Scottish higher qualifications. I personally wouldn’t read the book again, or a story like it, as its profound nature was exhausting and depressing. If you like stories that have deep meaning, and convey how struggles in the world - especially between people - can bubble and lead to catastrophic consequences, then this may be your cup of tea.
The most effective component of the book, in my opinion, is the consistent build to its climax. The foreshadowing from early pages until the last few sentences left me speechless. I was left feeling rather void in regard to the compassion and cruelty human beings are capable of, that is to say, I felt quite distressed by the book’s events. I didn’t find many of the characters likeable – however I suspect this wasn’t an aim Jenkin’s had in mind when writing the book anyways. The book focuses more on the plot, themes etc. instead, which are quite good. The use of contrasting characters to nature, and other underlying themes, made the plot of the book somewhat enjoyable, enough to persevere to the end. It also helps that the book is very well written.
As much as there is a lot going on within the book that can be discussed, I am still quite taken aback that this is a book used as a core text for Scottish higher qualifications. I personally wouldn’t read the book again, or a story like it, as its profound nature was exhausting and depressing. If you like stories that have deep meaning, and convey how struggles in the world - especially between people - can bubble and lead to catastrophic consequences, then this may be your cup of tea.
sarahkomas's review
3.0
Enjoyed it, but glad I didn't have to read it for higher English and dissect it to bits! Frustrating at points because you caught glimpses of characters' perspectives and then it switched, but a well-written story that I enjoyed.
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