I listened to this novel on Audible and it was absolutely poetic. One of my favorite books of the year. Here is my book review John of John by Douglas Stuart.
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Remote Isle of Harris, Scotland
After finishing Art School, Cal returns home to the barren croft where he was raised by his father. This is the last place Cal wants to be, a dying and hopeless island stuck in time. Cal has hidden his sexuality from his father, a leader in the Presbyterian Church, sheep farmer and weaver. The two cannot see eye to eye on much particularly as Cal explores his individuality.
Living with his father and outspoken grandmother in his tiny childhood home, Cal feels as stuck as everyone else as this fragile community, it’s old ways and traditions, disintegrates.
Truth
The narrative in this book, so beautifully written, is above all else, about truth. A deep thread running through the novel is how difficult it can be, particularly in a small cutoff place, to become who you were meant to be. On this barren island old ways die hard. Religion is rigid. One of the last places where Gaelic is spoken and subsistence farming continues. How to be true to yourself when life is expected to only be a one certain way?
Cal and his father clash over most things. But Cal has returned to the island because his father has told him his grandmother is ill. But on arrival he finds his grandmother in fine health. And so he begins to unravel the real reasons he has been called home. The truth.
Emotional
The prose of this novel are emotional and suspenseful and full of secrets. It is a story of family, hard work, religion and the truth of hiding from your true sexuality. John of John has vividly written characters and scenery and this book played out like a movie in my head. It is one of the most beautifully written books I have read in years. I have read Stuart’s Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, but this one is hands down my favorite. It damn well better win the Booker.
Thank you for reading my book review John of John by Douglas Stuart.
*****Five stars for John of John by Douglas Stuart.
See last week’s book review Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth. We are always grateful for your likes, comments, pins and shares. Thank you.
