Reviews

3.5 stars
this book really wasn't what i expected it was going to be. rather than finding it motivational or a breath of fresh air, i found reading about tamsin's struggles rather burdening. only towards the end of the book did i feel like i understood, if only partially, whilst she stuck it out and stayed on the island despite such hardships.
the way she writes and creates comparisons between the natural world and emotions is truly beautiful!
i don't think i would ever be able to face so much and make it to the other side stronger.

admacg's review against another edition

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I always like a book that starts with the possibility of change, as this one does, where we find the author looking out across the waves towards an island, as she and her husband consider the possibility of giving up their lives in London to start a new life in the wild extremes of Scotland.

We learn that life in the city had take it’s toll - violence and burglary amongst other stresses, anxiety and panic grinding away at their nerves. The endless slogging away at work. So they do something about it, and the book starts.

There was a part of me glad at getting to the end of this. Parts of it are so unrelentingly grim and cruel that it became difficult to return to the book. But it’s the small slivers of hope that keep you going and a there is a part of me in awe that she somehow managed to survive. Tamsin Calidas describes nature, her surroundings and her experiences at times with such poetic language that I found it an incredibly moving book. Definitely recommended but with the caveat that parts of it are very depressing.

Part of longer review at here

emilievis's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.25

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