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rachlincs's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
It's 1857 and the publication of the Grimm Brothers' collections of folk tales has inspired a renewed interest in documenting traditional fairy stories. Audrey Hart travels from London to the Island of Skye to work with a local gentlewoman who is documenting the local myths and legends. Two local girls have recently disappeared on the island and not long after her arrival, another is found dead. The locals believe that the girls have been taken by evil spirits, but Audrey believes that there is a more pragmatic reason for their disappearances.
I enjoyed Anna Mazzola's first book, The Unseeing, but this one is even better. It has a strong sense of time and place - it's a really creepy read. It was such an interesting time with the collision between traditional beliefs and modern scientific thought. It's also a page turner, very hard to put down. If you enjoyed this, I recommend The Good People by Hannah Kent.
I enjoyed Anna Mazzola's first book, The Unseeing, but this one is even better. It has a strong sense of time and place - it's a really creepy read. It was such an interesting time with the collision between traditional beliefs and modern scientific thought. It's also a page turner, very hard to put down. If you enjoyed this, I recommend The Good People by Hannah Kent.
duartepatri's review against another edition
4.0
Based on historical events, Anna Mazzola takes us to Skye, where the lore and misery are entwined and mysterious disappearances are thrown into the mix.
thedeathmaven's review against another edition
5.0
‘They’ say never judge a book by it’s cover, in the case of The Story Keeper ‘they’ definitely had it wrong. The cover of The Story Keeper definitely sets the tone of the whole book. It is mesmerisingly beautiful in it’s simplicity. The blurred edges of the island leave you feeling curious, as the misty sky hints at the intrigue within.
Folklore is such a huge part of culture, as are myths and legends. Within the UK there are a number of locations where that culture is particularly strong and the Scottish Highlands and Islands is definitely one of them. As an avid reader of local folklore and the spoken word traditions of passing the story from one person to the next I was excited to read The Story Keeper.
The narrative and flow of The Story Keeper is flawless, every word feels as if it has been considered, their is not a single paragraph or even sentence where you question it’s presence. It is clear that the author had a very clear vision of what this book was to be and that she had a supportive editing team.
Slowly layers of mystery and intrigue are revealed from the reason as to why Audrey has applied for the post of a folklorists assistant. To the islanders themselves who are frequently suspicious of not only the new but also anything that can not be explained.
Audrey is a strong protagonist who will have you rooting for her throughout the book, however the most enthralling character is the setting. The Isle of Skye provides an atmospheric and eerie tone to the whole nature of the book. It’s presence is constant, their influencing the characters and events on the island. The various locations are described beautifully and atmospherically that they add to the mysterious secrets the island is shrouded in.
The mystery slowly gathers pace, with hints and clues left subtle throughout. As the suspense grows you feel more tense as the events unfold. The evocative ending is achieve partially because of this, and it is an ending that leaves you as the reader satisfied.
I loved The Story Keeper from the amazing and wonderful use of folk-lore, Scottish mythology and the supernatural. The Isle of Skye is the perfect setting to create the gothic atmosphere that wonderfully allows for the intrigue and paranormal characteristics of the book.
This is a truly wonderful book and one I would heartily recommend.
Folklore is such a huge part of culture, as are myths and legends. Within the UK there are a number of locations where that culture is particularly strong and the Scottish Highlands and Islands is definitely one of them. As an avid reader of local folklore and the spoken word traditions of passing the story from one person to the next I was excited to read The Story Keeper.
The narrative and flow of The Story Keeper is flawless, every word feels as if it has been considered, their is not a single paragraph or even sentence where you question it’s presence. It is clear that the author had a very clear vision of what this book was to be and that she had a supportive editing team.
Slowly layers of mystery and intrigue are revealed from the reason as to why Audrey has applied for the post of a folklorists assistant. To the islanders themselves who are frequently suspicious of not only the new but also anything that can not be explained.
Audrey is a strong protagonist who will have you rooting for her throughout the book, however the most enthralling character is the setting. The Isle of Skye provides an atmospheric and eerie tone to the whole nature of the book. It’s presence is constant, their influencing the characters and events on the island. The various locations are described beautifully and atmospherically that they add to the mysterious secrets the island is shrouded in.
The mystery slowly gathers pace, with hints and clues left subtle throughout. As the suspense grows you feel more tense as the events unfold. The evocative ending is achieve partially because of this, and it is an ending that leaves you as the reader satisfied.
I loved The Story Keeper from the amazing and wonderful use of folk-lore, Scottish mythology and the supernatural. The Isle of Skye is the perfect setting to create the gothic atmosphere that wonderfully allows for the intrigue and paranormal characteristics of the book.
This is a truly wonderful book and one I would heartily recommend.
historybooksandtea's review against another edition
Just could not get into it - may try again at another point
mpr2000's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say I loved this gothic story, it is not the typical book I am attracted to, but everything from this book got me intrigued; the plot sounded original and you have to admit that the cover is quite interesting too, but nothing prepared me for loving this book so much, is a must read!
The story may seem simple, a young woman is trying to escape from her family and travels to the Isle of Skye, answering for a job offer, searching for oral folk tales. But this is not the only motive Audrey Hart has to move over there, her mother died at the Isle of Skye a long time ago, and she wants to connect with her, to discover why she fall in love with the island…
This is one of those books that while you are reading it you’ll feel transported inside the story, you’ll be surrounded by dark birds and scary characters and even you’ll be afraid of being alone. Some young girls are disappearing and no one is interested in them, only Audrey, this will put her life at risk, but she is a really brave woman and is ready to fight anything and anyone to discover the truth.
This book has made me re-think the oral stories I’ve always knew, because I think almost all of them have a good ending contrarily to the folk tales told in this book in which all have a dark side!
This is a gripping, intriguing and hunting book that has a sentence that I’ll keep with me forever:
“Words Will Never Break Me”
Ready for The Story Keeper?
The story may seem simple, a young woman is trying to escape from her family and travels to the Isle of Skye, answering for a job offer, searching for oral folk tales. But this is not the only motive Audrey Hart has to move over there, her mother died at the Isle of Skye a long time ago, and she wants to connect with her, to discover why she fall in love with the island…
This is one of those books that while you are reading it you’ll feel transported inside the story, you’ll be surrounded by dark birds and scary characters and even you’ll be afraid of being alone. Some young girls are disappearing and no one is interested in them, only Audrey, this will put her life at risk, but she is a really brave woman and is ready to fight anything and anyone to discover the truth.
This book has made me re-think the oral stories I’ve always knew, because I think almost all of them have a good ending contrarily to the folk tales told in this book in which all have a dark side!
This is a gripping, intriguing and hunting book that has a sentence that I’ll keep with me forever:
“Words Will Never Break Me”
Ready for The Story Keeper?
heather_j_fitt's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
After the death of her mother and her father's remarriage Audrey moves to London where her family tries to make a lady out of her. When she witnesses abuse in her voluntary work she finds that she is not believed and takes a job on the Isle of Skye working with a folklorist. This is Audrey's real passion and she finds an escape in the stories. However when girls start disappearing and links are made with folk tales Audrey finds fact and fiction blurring.
I loved Anna Mazzola's first novel and this one is even better. there is a wonderful passion to the setting on Skye, and a genuine love of the old tales. The story mixes in the same streak of social conscious that the previous book (The Unseeing) had, here about the role of women in Victorian society and also the unjust nature of the Highlands Clearance. Add in the supernatural element, which is often overplayed in writing but here is judged perfectly, and a gripping tale - it is clear that this is a writer who is progressing in leaps and bounds and I look forward to more.
I loved Anna Mazzola's first novel and this one is even better. there is a wonderful passion to the setting on Skye, and a genuine love of the old tales. The story mixes in the same streak of social conscious that the previous book (The Unseeing) had, here about the role of women in Victorian society and also the unjust nature of the Highlands Clearance. Add in the supernatural element, which is often overplayed in writing but here is judged perfectly, and a gripping tale - it is clear that this is a writer who is progressing in leaps and bounds and I look forward to more.