Edwin Page

This novel is set in 13th century Cornwall on and around St Michael's Mount and the neighbouring town of Marghas Byghan (now Marazion). It concerns the appearance in the community of monks on the Mount of a strange giant of mysterious origins (based on the real life discovery on the Mount in the early 20th century of a huge skeleton). The story is atmospheric and well written, with a gently flowing narrative focused around the simple life of the monks on the beautiful island, that some readers will find too slow, punctuated by a couple of shocking incidents mainly revolving around the local citizens' reactions towards the mysterious stranger. While, as I say, it is atmospherically written, I did not get a strong sense of Medieval times, and indeed there are some anachronisms, especially in the use of Mr and Mrs as personal titles, which did not develop until centuries later. This mistake, plus a number of typos (e.g. peninsular for the noun, ought for aught, climbs for climes) was a slight marring of this otherwise excellent and moving read which has a lot to say about the nature of prejudice and communities' sometimes frightened and hostile reactions to outsiders who are different from them.… (meer)

Final volume in the author's trilogy set on the Scilly Isles, to where I was travelling on holiday at the time of finishing this book. This one further increases the fantasy element of the plot and pretty much removes the Scillies life aspect. Though this wasn't the reason I read this, it works as a dark fantasy of a grim struggle between fairies and goblins for the soul and life of the islands. The goblins reminded reminded me of the dwellers of the underworld in C S Lewis's Silver Chair. The ending was a little abrupt and convenient.… (meer)