AS October rolls on, Robbie of Polly’s Bookshop in Castletownbere is hunkering down with Clear, a fictional novel by Carys Davis.

In 1843, Ivar lives on his own on a remote island in Scotland with his animals for company. His next-of-kin are either drowned or left the island. Meanwhile, John Ferguson is a minister with the new church, without flock or money. Desperate for funds, he takes on the job to clear the island of its last inhabitant.

‘On his first day John slips off the rocks, into the sea and unconscious, but saved by Ivar, who nurses him back to health, unaware of the fact that this man will determine his fate. The two men do not speak each other’s language but grow nearer to one another regardless’.

‘This story describes island life in the 19th century beautifully’ says Robbie, ‘and illustrates the practice of clearings.
With an underlying suspense about the near future, it is definitely a worthwhile read’. 

Meanwhile, Jill Dinsdale in Kerr’s in Clonakilty is reading Rosscarbery native’s Chloe Michelle Howarth new novel, Heap Earth Upon It.

‘Set in 1965, this is the story of four orphaned siblings who have arrived in a new village. They are all carrying deep secrets which are very gradually unfolded to the reader. Narrated by the individual characters, the tension mounts as we are given occasional glimpses into the extent of their damaged personas. But who can be trusted to be telling the truth? And what exactly happened before they arrived to start their new life in their adopted village?’

‘Howarth’s pacing is key to the success of this story. Breadcrumbs of information are scattered thinly, and there were times that I had the urge to skip forward, but that would have been a huge mistake! The slow reveal is crucial’. 

‘This compelling, unsettling and darkly psychological novel kept me absorbed right to the end’.