A review by andydrew2
Clear by Carys Davies

emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This was beautifully written, descriptive, and emotional. Davies really painted the picture of the island (where the majority of the story takes place) in my head as I was reading. 
The story takes place in the mid-1800s during the period of the Scottish Clearances, which I didn't know a thing about before reading this. I felt a real connection to John, the main character, as I grew up in a church and there was a time that you just went along with things because it was the 'right' thing to do. Ivar, the man alone on the island that John has to remove, is a quiet, loveable character as well. 
I won't spoil anything, but this would have been 5 stars for me if it wasn't for the ending. It felt like the author just put it in there, and it didn't make sense with the build up and beliefs of the characters. Then at the very end, Davies just doubled down. 
The end was disappointing and didn't make sense for the story.