Reviews

The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford

readingwithkt's review against another edition

4.0

This book is a slow burn. I’d recommend readers to set aside a good 1-2 hours to start the book to ensure they get fully immersed in this story.

I made the mistake of picking it up and putting it down again and so it took me 100 or so pages until I was fully involved in the story.

From there, I could hardly put the book down.

I loved the depictions of island life. The brutality of nature, the hardships of everyday life and the beautiful moments of celebration.

I loved the relationships between Fred and Chrissie. Quietly beautiful and pure.

I appreciated Elisabeth’s efforts to create a fictional story that showed such respect for the time period.

By the last few pages of the book, the story had moved me to tears.

I thought it was a beautiful book and reading it while living away from Scotland, I have to admit it did leave me feeling homesick for my beautiful home country.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, historical romance and Scottish history.

jerowney's review against another edition

1.0

I really didn't enjoy this book. It was slow paced and I didn't engage with the story or characters.

thebristolreader's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

tabby2920's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a novel that I considered to be a love story to the Highlands. It really captured the heart, the community, the togetherness of St. Kilda so beautifully and and with an engaging tone. The writing that was used to describe the environment and the scenery was just so lyrical and atmospheric that I felt that I was actually there. Although fictional, I discover so much this little island that I barely knew anything about. The love and hope between Fred and Chrissie was also amazing to read about. After all that waiting and time spent apart, they're love for each other carried them through the trials and struggles that were thrown at them each way. This was perfect escapism literature that gave me time to breath and experience another world and time that I knew nothing about.

sarahswarbrick's review against another edition

4.0

This is a beautiful story set in Hirta (the main island in St Kilda), where place feels as much like a character as those in the story. The difficulties and community that make up life for those on this island are beautiful and heartbreaking. The action of Chrissie, Archie and Fred feels almost like a backdrop, but is essential to the larger story. Read with a couple of tissues close.

camila_caminioca's review against another edition

5.0

What an excellent book. This moody, evocative and lyrical narrative follows Fred and Chrissie, who meet on the island of St Kilda in the 1920s or 30s and try to find their way back to each other through WWII. It was touching and the imagery was fantastic. I could see myself on St Kilda with the characters, sharp wind and seabirds flying high above.

I rarely give 5 stars, but there's nothing I would change about this book. It was wonderful. I honestly have no idea why there isn't more chat about this book. Highly recommended.

*This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review – all opinions are my own.* (My ARC copy had no years in it, so it was a bit hard to follow the timeline, but it didn't matter too much.)

acelebrationofbooks's review against another edition

5.0

This book is the very definition of beautifully crafted fiction. Throughout the novel, Elisabeth Gifford’s writing transports you miles and years away from wherever you are now to the lives of Chrissie and Fred on St Kilda and beyond.
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A tiny island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, St Kilda, cut off from the mainland for many months in the winter, exists frozen in time. The St Kildans are a culture like no other in 1920s Britain and their way of life and the beauty of the island are so intensely and thoughtfully depicted in this book. We follow the beautiful love story of Chrissie and Fred and it serves as a beautiful reminder as to how love transcends all boundaries.
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If you’re looking for a book with the power to whisk you away to another place during quarantine, this is it. The storyline is beautifully simple and heartwarming, leaving so much room for beautiful description.
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Elisabeth Gifford has managed to sensitively capture the very essence of a time and place long lost to us and this novel will cause you to hold them close to your heart.
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Thank you so much to @readersfirst for sending this copy my way!

sarahp's review against another edition

3.0

The standout thing in this book, for me, is the descriptions of the island, the people and the way of life on St. Kilda. I could actually visualise everything so vividly.

The story begins on St. Kilda but also details Fred's journey as he attempts to escape occupied France and return home. As the story progresses we learn about a love triangle, the abandonment of the island and are left wondering whether some wrongs can be righted.

A lovely piece of historical fiction, great detail and a lovely story of the hope of love.