Charles Maclean (2) (1946–)

An informed, engrossing account of how a society in isolation, self-sufficient and self-sustaining, gradually succumbed to the encroachment of modernity. St. Kilda was evacuated in 1932. The islanders declined through emigration, declining trade in goods that were no longer in demand, increasing dependence on the external world and insufficient population to maintain the culture.

The history of the island is a repeat of the cycle of change that all cultures experience: adaption to the show more environment, a cultural flowering and then, the inevitable decline in the face of new external factors. show less

A great primer on St Kilda. An easy to read book, that goes through the history, culture, and finally the evacuation of the island.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*Complimentary copy received in exchange for an honest review

The Watcher is a deep psychological thriller with mind numbing twists and turns, reminiscent of the good 80's style psycho-horrors where nothing is quite as frightening as the human mind.

I honestly wasn't sure if I would be able to read this book to completion. The Event that takes place at the beginning that sets up the rest of the story is utterly and completely show more disturbing and I literally had to take a break from the book after reading it to let it settle.

Once I got back to the tale though, it was a steady influx of madness and paranoia, mystery and intrigue, and had me wondering over and over again who the hero and villain really were, or if there were actually any at all!

It's definitely a tale that will have your mind working overtime to try and figure out what's really going on, and even when it's all said and done, if you're like me, you still won't be sure what exactly happened, which all leads to the beauty of the doubt that Charles Maclean weaves into his story.

While not the best horror/thriller I've read recently, it was solid and compelling, and I'm glad I had the chance to read it.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Watcher 3 1/2 Skulls. show less

Fascinating look at this tiny island and its isolated community. Also an interesting study of the way societies react to change from without and how larger societies seek to influence smaller ones.