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late_stranger's review against another edition
3.0
I was sad to find I really preferred Findings, Jamie's first book. I think it was the personal connection - she sets a few of those essays in Edinburgh, where I live. But this collection was unfortunately average, though enjoyable. I really liked the thruline with the whales, and the focus on islands was interesting, though I'd have preferred it if that had been drawn out more into a book specifically about islands.
robynldouglas's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounding up to 4, because it's not Jamie's fault that I'm not her ideal audience. I think this has lovely bits in it - some gorgeous writing, and the two longest essays (one on whales and a collection of whale bones in a Norwegian museum, the other on St. Kilda) are stand-out. However, I usually look to essay collections like this to teach me new things, and her topics are fairly well-trod ones for me. I did enjoy the memories her essays provoked, especially of my own encounters with whales, and as Scotland is a favourite destination I'm looking forward to treading some of the same ground she does.
trsr's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it! Fine writing, filled with close observations, luminous descriptions and perspectives laced with surprise and never overstated, and with an undercurrent of gentle humour running right through. Essays like they should be written. I'm a fan already.
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