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bookthia's review against another edition
4.0
My favourite line in this book was "We are all better when we are loved." And this book was about the bonds of family and the love shared between siblings, parents and grandparents over the generations. Blood is thicker than water -- that phrase is oft repeated in this story.
The main character is Alexander MacDonald. Through his eyes and his memories we learn of his family's history, from the highlands of Scotland to the highlands of Cape Breton; from the battlefields of Culloden to the uranium mines of Northern Ontario. But we don't just learn about family facts and genealogies, we learn about their culture, as displaced Scots, and as a community isolated in a remote Canadian village. We learn about their strengths and weaknesses, their pride and their shame, their successes and failures, their tragedies and -- well, there are no triumphs unless you count the fact that Alexander and his twin have managed to create successful careers outside of Cape Breton.
Even though there is much sadness in this story, it is ultimately a story of sustaining love, and of hope. And while we learn little of Alexander MacDonald's wife and children, knowing they exist bodes well for the fictional MacDonalds, the Clann Ruadh of Cape Breton.
The main character is Alexander MacDonald. Through his eyes and his memories we learn of his family's history, from the highlands of Scotland to the highlands of Cape Breton; from the battlefields of Culloden to the uranium mines of Northern Ontario. But we don't just learn about family facts and genealogies, we learn about their culture, as displaced Scots, and as a community isolated in a remote Canadian village. We learn about their strengths and weaknesses, their pride and their shame, their successes and failures, their tragedies and -- well, there are no triumphs unless you count the fact that Alexander and his twin have managed to create successful careers outside of Cape Breton.
Even though there is much sadness in this story, it is ultimately a story of sustaining love, and of hope. And while we learn little of Alexander MacDonald's wife and children, knowing they exist bodes well for the fictional MacDonalds, the Clann Ruadh of Cape Breton.
bergamint's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a hard read.
Hard because it was not well written, no it was beautifully written and lyrical.
Hard because the story did not interest me, no I was fully immersed after the first chapter.
This story was a hard read for me because it touched me in so many ways; alcoholism which runs in my family; being uprooted from Scotland and going to Canada (where I lived for 20 years.); Ontario, descriptions of places I have been and lived. For me this book is a masterpiece that resonated with me, the lyricism of the speech was poignant and I could hear the characters talking in the accents. This is a book I will never forget and intend to read again. For someone who doesn't have as many parallels to the book in their life they may not 'hear' the accents or the manner of speech but I would highly recommend this book as even when read only as a story it is wonderful.
Hard because it was not well written, no it was beautifully written and lyrical.
Hard because the story did not interest me, no I was fully immersed after the first chapter.
This story was a hard read for me because it touched me in so many ways; alcoholism which runs in my family; being uprooted from Scotland and going to Canada (where I lived for 20 years.); Ontario, descriptions of places I have been and lived. For me this book is a masterpiece that resonated with me, the lyricism of the speech was poignant and I could hear the characters talking in the accents. This is a book I will never forget and intend to read again. For someone who doesn't have as many parallels to the book in their life they may not 'hear' the accents or the manner of speech but I would highly recommend this book as even when read only as a story it is wonderful.
miramichireader's review against another edition
5.0
Masterful storytelling. A history of a Highlander family in Cape Breton related memoir-style from past to present with jumps back & forth that may make it difficult to follow at times, but well worth the invested patience.
bent's review
2.0
I don't even know what to say about this book. It seemed more a recounting of a certain way of life than an actual novel. I found the dialogue stilted and too formal to seem believable. I found the constant repetition - the dogs, the Gaelic phrases, the "My hope is constant in thee, Clan Donald" tiresome. I found the whole idea of all these people weighted down by the burden of family expectations and constant recitation of Scottish history very claustrophobic. I thought the narrator's sister was the worst-drawn of the characters, only existing to carry on MacLeod's themes. And that there wasn't a lot of plot and what there was wasn't very interesting.
I understand the for many people, the long oral history and huge family would be appealing, but I grew up in the anonymity of a big city with very little family around beyond my immediate one. This way of life where everybody knows who you are is not to my tastes. My wife is from a larger family and community, and it's not as idyllic as MacLeod paints it here. And I don't understand the constant hearkening back to distant history in a country that you may have never set foot in. I never have.
I can see why a some people would find the life he describes appealing, but I can't understand why this book is so well-regarded.
I understand the for many people, the long oral history and huge family would be appealing, but I grew up in the anonymity of a big city with very little family around beyond my immediate one. This way of life where everybody knows who you are is not to my tastes. My wife is from a larger family and community, and it's not as idyllic as MacLeod paints it here. And I don't understand the constant hearkening back to distant history in a country that you may have never set foot in. I never have.
I can see why a some people would find the life he describes appealing, but I can't understand why this book is so well-regarded.
rosieoh's review against another edition
4.0
A short, bittersweet novel. MacLeod writes landscape so well, and even though the setting and story are bleak, it never feels hopeless. There is real love for Cape Breton, its history and landscape here that make it a beautifully written book. I also loved the relationship between the narrator's grandparents on both sides - my favourite relationship in a story very much concerned with family and history. (Also as a linguistics nerd I very much appreciated how much Gaelic was featured!)
sehalliwell4's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Beautiful descriptions! I loved the imagery that was developed through the books. The grandparents and his oldest brother were developed very well but I left the book feeling like I didn’t get to know our main character the black haired Alexander MacDonald very well and i would have liked to get to know him more beyond his loyalty to his family.
erynmarieliz's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book was so amazingly written that i checked multiple times to confirm it was a work of fiction! absolutely loved it.