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1vancouverdeb
I really enjoyed Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg and finally got around to reviewing it. :
Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg is a darkly beautiful read.
Newly married couple, Lizzie and Reverend Neil MacKenzie, travel by boat to an outlying island of the Scottish Hebrides, St. Kilda. In the 1830's, when this novel begins, St. Kilda is characterized by extreme isolation, rugged cliffs, a terrible lack of sanitation, and a small Norse population. The inhabitants of St. Kilda speak only Gaelic. Reverend Mackenzie speaks both English and Gaelic, but wife Lizzie, speaks only English, which serves to increase her isolation.
Reverend MacKenzie arrives at St. Kilda with a sense of misson, to convert the heathens to to Christianity and also to improve their lot in life. He is also driven by a mysterious incident in his past, as well as his own personality weaknesses. In contrast, young bride Lizzie is initially driven to please and support her husband, despite is his frequent bouts of bad temper and his habit of turning away from her.
Life of the indigenous St. Kidan's is intriguing in itself Most notable to me was the neonatal death rate of about 60 %, usually caused by a strange " 8 day sickness." The St Kildan's lived communally off the land. Knowing the story is loosely based on historical fact I found both the story and the way of life on St. Kilda to be fascinating.
As time goes on, Rev. Mackenzie's character flaws become more evident. Even as he chastises the people for worshiping idols , he regards himself as " the minister - and master - of the island." page 148.
Conversely, young Lizzie, initially intimidated by her husband, and extremely isolated, gradually makes friends with the Islander's and recognizes her husband for what he is. Neil and Lizzie's marriage shows much strain , as does Neil's relationships with his "subjects." Despite Rev. Neil's self- importance, personal weakness, he is portrayed as a well rounded character, who occasionally questions himself and shows tenderness to his wife.
Beautifully atmospheric, an unblinking look at a difficult marriage, a fascinating look into a primitive culture and a meditation on faith, this is wonderful, compelling novel. 4.5 stars
Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg is a darkly beautiful read.
Newly married couple, Lizzie and Reverend Neil MacKenzie, travel by boat to an outlying island of the Scottish Hebrides, St. Kilda. In the 1830's, when this novel begins, St. Kilda is characterized by extreme isolation, rugged cliffs, a terrible lack of sanitation, and a small Norse population. The inhabitants of St. Kilda speak only Gaelic. Reverend Mackenzie speaks both English and Gaelic, but wife Lizzie, speaks only English, which serves to increase her isolation.
Reverend MacKenzie arrives at St. Kilda with a sense of misson, to convert the heathens to to Christianity and also to improve their lot in life. He is also driven by a mysterious incident in his past, as well as his own personality weaknesses. In contrast, young bride Lizzie is initially driven to please and support her husband, despite is his frequent bouts of bad temper and his habit of turning away from her.
Life of the indigenous St. Kidan's is intriguing in itself Most notable to me was the neonatal death rate of about 60 %, usually caused by a strange " 8 day sickness." The St Kildan's lived communally off the land. Knowing the story is loosely based on historical fact I found both the story and the way of life on St. Kilda to be fascinating.
As time goes on, Rev. Mackenzie's character flaws become more evident. Even as he chastises the people for worshiping idols , he regards himself as " the minister - and master - of the island." page 148.
Conversely, young Lizzie, initially intimidated by her husband, and extremely isolated, gradually makes friends with the Islander's and recognizes her husband for what he is. Neil and Lizzie's marriage shows much strain , as does Neil's relationships with his "subjects." Despite Rev. Neil's self- importance, personal weakness, he is portrayed as a well rounded character, who occasionally questions himself and shows tenderness to his wife.
Beautifully atmospheric, an unblinking look at a difficult marriage, a fascinating look into a primitive culture and a meditation on faith, this is wonderful, compelling novel. 4.5 stars
