Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s Reviews > Clear
Clear
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Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s review
bookshelves: arc-widget, netgalley-arc, favorites, 2024-favorite-reads
Mar 30, 2024
bookshelves: arc-widget, netgalley-arc, favorites, 2024-favorite-reads
Clear by Carys Davies takes us to 1843, Scotland in the final stages of the Scottish Clearances during which rural inhabitants from the Scottish Highlands were forcefully evicted to clear the lands for sheep pastoralism. 1843 also saw the Disruption of the Church of Scotland which saw a large number of evangelical misters walk away from their jobs and their income to form the Free Church of Scotland that would be free of patronage and interference from the British Government.
As the story begins, we meet Reverend John Ferguson, an impoverished minister struggling to raise funds for his congregation, who has accepted a well-paying “temporary factoring” assignment. His task entails surveying the terrain of a remote island north of Scotland for its adequacy to meet the requirements landowners have planned and “clear” the island of its sole inhabitant, a man by the name of Ivar whose remaining family has long since left the island. Along with his papers and a calotype of his wife Mary, John also carries a pistol given to him by the landowner’s factor who assigned him to this task. Ivar lives in solitude in a stone hut with only his animals for company. Within the course of a month, John is to persuade him to leave the island. But when an accident lands him in Ivar’s care and he spends more time with Ivar connecting with him on a deep personal level despite not sharing a common language, John is conflicted over his mission. Ivar, who had been craving companionship, develops a strong attachment to John, unaware of his true reasons for being on the island. Miles away, when Mary is made aware of the potential perils John may face in his task, concerned for his safety, she takes it upon herself to travel to the island. The narrative follows these characters as their paths converge.
Clear by Carys Davies is a stunning novella that transports you to the Scottish Highlands with its vividly described settings and into the hearts of its characters in sparse yet lyrical prose. The author deftly weaves the three threads of this novel into a cohesive narrative. Please note that the pacing of the narrative is slow, which I thought suited the nature of the story and allowed a deeper and an intimate exploration of the thoughts and emotions of its characters - Ivar’s loneliness and his kindness and compassion; John’s internal conflict as he ponders over his duty, the beliefs that have governed his life and vocation and his emotions; and Mary’s determination, loyalty and sacrifice. The narrative is presented from the perspectives of John, Ivar and Mary and touches upon themes of solitude, isolation and how human connection can be forged in mysterious ways. To bear witness to two characters learning to communicate with one another despite the lack of a common language was truly humbling. The author’s use of Norn words lends authenticity to Ivar’s character and the time and place in which the novel is set. Please read the Author’s note, where she discusses the historical context of this novel and provides a brief glossary of Norn words found in the narrative. There were certain aspects that I wish would have been developed further, but this in no way detracted from my overall reading experience.
This is my second time reading Carys Davies ( my first Carys Davies novel was The Mission House, which I also enjoyed) and I was not disappointed. With its vividly described atmospheric setting, rich historical context, exquisite writing and memorable characters Clear by Carys Davies is a compelling read – the kind of story that stays with you long after you have turned the final page.
Many thanks to Scribner for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on April 2, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
As the story begins, we meet Reverend John Ferguson, an impoverished minister struggling to raise funds for his congregation, who has accepted a well-paying “temporary factoring” assignment. His task entails surveying the terrain of a remote island north of Scotland for its adequacy to meet the requirements landowners have planned and “clear” the island of its sole inhabitant, a man by the name of Ivar whose remaining family has long since left the island. Along with his papers and a calotype of his wife Mary, John also carries a pistol given to him by the landowner’s factor who assigned him to this task. Ivar lives in solitude in a stone hut with only his animals for company. Within the course of a month, John is to persuade him to leave the island. But when an accident lands him in Ivar’s care and he spends more time with Ivar connecting with him on a deep personal level despite not sharing a common language, John is conflicted over his mission. Ivar, who had been craving companionship, develops a strong attachment to John, unaware of his true reasons for being on the island. Miles away, when Mary is made aware of the potential perils John may face in his task, concerned for his safety, she takes it upon herself to travel to the island. The narrative follows these characters as their paths converge.
Clear by Carys Davies is a stunning novella that transports you to the Scottish Highlands with its vividly described settings and into the hearts of its characters in sparse yet lyrical prose. The author deftly weaves the three threads of this novel into a cohesive narrative. Please note that the pacing of the narrative is slow, which I thought suited the nature of the story and allowed a deeper and an intimate exploration of the thoughts and emotions of its characters - Ivar’s loneliness and his kindness and compassion; John’s internal conflict as he ponders over his duty, the beliefs that have governed his life and vocation and his emotions; and Mary’s determination, loyalty and sacrifice. The narrative is presented from the perspectives of John, Ivar and Mary and touches upon themes of solitude, isolation and how human connection can be forged in mysterious ways. To bear witness to two characters learning to communicate with one another despite the lack of a common language was truly humbling. The author’s use of Norn words lends authenticity to Ivar’s character and the time and place in which the novel is set. Please read the Author’s note, where she discusses the historical context of this novel and provides a brief glossary of Norn words found in the narrative. There were certain aspects that I wish would have been developed further, but this in no way detracted from my overall reading experience.
This is my second time reading Carys Davies ( my first Carys Davies novel was The Mission House, which I also enjoyed) and I was not disappointed. With its vividly described atmospheric setting, rich historical context, exquisite writing and memorable characters Clear by Carys Davies is a compelling read – the kind of story that stays with you long after you have turned the final page.
Many thanks to Scribner for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on April 2, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
March 29, 2024
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Finished Reading
March 30, 2024
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Ceecee
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Apr 09, 2024 11:35AM
This sounds fantastic- excellent review Sujoya 💙
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Ceecee wrote: "This sounds fantastic- excellent review Sujoya 💙"
Thank you, Ceecee!🧡 This was amazing!
Thank you, Ceecee!🧡 This was amazing!
Susan wrote: "I enjoy your thoughtful reviews so much…including this one. 😊"
Thank you kindly, Susan!😊
Thank you kindly, Susan!😊
Mary Beth wrote: "Great review! 💕 Glad this one got all the stars."
Thank you, Mary Beth!💜 It deserves all the stars and some!
Thank you, Mary Beth!💜 It deserves all the stars and some!
Marilyn (trying to catch up) wrote: "I love how you described the relationship that the characters developed. Wonderful review, Sujoya!💜"
Thank you, .Marilyn!🧡 This is a special book!
Thank you, .Marilyn!🧡 This is a special book!
Nika wrote: "Stellar review, Sujoya! So glad you loved this one. The setting in this novel sounds amazing."
Thank you kindly, Nika!😊 This is indeed an amazing story.
Thank you kindly, Nika!😊 This is indeed an amazing story.
Thanks for the recommendation, Sujoya. I will certainly check out this one another's by this author after reading your fine review. Nice to hear from you again.
Karen wrote: "I love your review, Sujoya!
I just loved this story and I loved how atmospheric it was… and Ivar!"
Thank you so much, Karen!😊 I can't stop thinking about this one!
I just loved this story and I loved how atmospheric it was… and Ivar!"
Thank you so much, Karen!😊 I can't stop thinking about this one!
Angela wrote: "Stunning review, Sujoya! I sounds fantastic, and I love the setting. 💜🤗"
Thank you so much, Angela!😊🧡 It is an amazing story.
Thank you so much, Angela!😊🧡 It is an amazing story.
Rachel wrote: "Wonderful review, Sujoya!! 💗 I’m definitely looking forward to reading this gem!"
Thank you so much, Rachel!💜😊 It is indeed a special book.
Thank you so much, Rachel!💜😊 It is indeed a special book.
Barbara wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation, Sujoya. I will certainly check out this one another's by this author after reading your fine review. Nice to hear from you again."
Thank you so much, Barbara!😊 I hope you like this one too!
Thank you so much, Barbara!😊 I hope you like this one too!
I'm glad this second read by this author was well written; I do love when a slower pace is used to highlight the powerful characters. Excellent review, Sujoya!
Maureen wrote: "Beautiful review Sujoya. I just finished reading."
Thank you, Maureen!😊 This is a special book.
Thank you, Maureen!😊 This is a special book.
A wrote: "I'm glad this second read by this author was well written; I do love when a slower pace is used to highlight the powerful characters. Excellent review, Sujoya!"
Thank you kindly, A!😊 I'm still thinking about this one!
Thank you kindly, A!😊 I'm still thinking about this one!
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "One I definitely plan to read. Terrific review, Sujoya!"
Many thanks, Jennifer!😊 This a memorable read!
Many thanks, Jennifer!😊 This a memorable read!
Lori wrote: "Thoroughly enjoyed this one as well - I definitely need to look into Davies' earlier works!"
Thank you, Lori! I'm also eager to explore more of the author’s work. This was truly amazing.
Thank you, Lori! I'm also eager to explore more of the author’s work. This was truly amazing.
Debbie wrote: "Fabulous review, Sujoya! This sounds like a very moving story!"
Thank you, Debbie!😊 It surely is!
Thank you, Debbie!😊 It surely is!
Awesome review, Sujoya! In a million years, I could not have predicted the ending of this story and yet it fit so well. I loved the historical background, down to the calotype photograph made by Robert Adamson. Davies excels in character development. You are spot on in the themes of loneliness, isolation, and human connection :-)
Libby wrote: "Awesome review, Sujoya! In a million years, I could not have predicted the ending of this story and yet it fit so well. I loved the historical background, down to the calotype photograph made by Ro..."
Thank you so much, Libby!😊 This is truly a memorable read. I'm glad you loved it too!
Thank you so much, Libby!😊 This is truly a memorable read. I'm glad you loved it too!
Christy wrote: "Wonderful review. This sounds like such a fantastic, evocative read. 🥰"
Thank you, Christy!😊 It surely is!
Thank you, Christy!😊 It surely is!