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A review by ryantlabee
Eynhallow by Tim McGregor
5.0
Set in 1797, Eynhallow tells the poignant story of Agness Tulloch, a 29-year-old inhabitant of the eponymous island, through her own eyes. Married young to a widower for the promise of security, Agness had to forsake the affections of a young man she truly loved from her hometown. Years into her marriage, she finds herself trapped in a life with an abusive, alcoholic husband and the responsibility of caring for their four children. Despite her deep love for her children, Agness often catches herself gazing out at the sea, longing for the return of her first love, who vowed to earn her hand and rescue her from her lonely life.
However, the arrival that disrupts Agness's routine is not that of her former suitor, but rather a mysterious traveler named Victor Frankenstein, who seeks to fulfill a chilling obligation to someone or something. Tim McGregor weaves a narrative that is at once beautiful, haunting, and tragic, exploring themes of love, loss, and yearning.
Eynhallow offers more than a mere retelling of the classic Frankenstein; it imagines an alternative history for the actual uninhabited Scottish isle of Eynhallow, which has been devoid of inhabitants since 1851. McGregor's depiction of this small island is rich with historical intrigue. I was shocked to learn Eynhallow is a real place, something I didn’t know (thanks to my American ignorance) before opening this book. I’ve been googling ever since finishing the novel and have become quite obsessed with the island's history.
I was deeply captivated by this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys literary horror fiction or is intrigued by a new perspective on the classic tale of Frankenstein. McGregor's skillful storytelling invites readers to see an old story in a new light, making Eynhallow a memorable and highly recommended read.
However, the arrival that disrupts Agness's routine is not that of her former suitor, but rather a mysterious traveler named Victor Frankenstein, who seeks to fulfill a chilling obligation to someone or something. Tim McGregor weaves a narrative that is at once beautiful, haunting, and tragic, exploring themes of love, loss, and yearning.
Eynhallow offers more than a mere retelling of the classic Frankenstein; it imagines an alternative history for the actual uninhabited Scottish isle of Eynhallow, which has been devoid of inhabitants since 1851. McGregor's depiction of this small island is rich with historical intrigue. I was shocked to learn Eynhallow is a real place, something I didn’t know (thanks to my American ignorance) before opening this book. I’ve been googling ever since finishing the novel and have become quite obsessed with the island's history.
I was deeply captivated by this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys literary horror fiction or is intrigued by a new perspective on the classic tale of Frankenstein. McGregor's skillful storytelling invites readers to see an old story in a new light, making Eynhallow a memorable and highly recommended read.