estacer's review against another edition
4.0
Really solid research and storytelling.
I happened upon this book at a charity shop, 12 months after visiting the Outer Hebrides. It was a touch of fate as I never would have sought this out specifically.
I read to learn more about the history of Clearances, specifically from South Uist which my family was forced to leave in 1849. (An ancestor was referenced as the subject of a newspaper article in 1906. But sadly no specific stories of the family. It was a great hook to keep me reading though!!)
It's obvious that Craig has spent decades of his life on listening to stories passed down about the Clearances, and I appreciate all of that work. It wasn't an easy read or fun really, but I did enjoy learning from Craig's travels and research and the stories he conveys.
My opinion, it was a bit plodding in points, started to feel redundant, and flip-flopped back and forth on timelines which is difficult as a reader. And I didn't get much from all of the poems and songs but I still appreciate that Craig included those for their historical and cultural value as well as a connection to his poetry.
But the #1 thing missing are definitions for all the Gaelic and crofting terms. Next edition - footnotes, man. I actually started adding my own to help future readers (family members I'll be passing this on to).
I happened upon this book at a charity shop, 12 months after visiting the Outer Hebrides. It was a touch of fate as I never would have sought this out specifically.
I read to learn more about the history of Clearances, specifically from South Uist which my family was forced to leave in 1849. (An ancestor was referenced as the subject of a newspaper article in 1906. But sadly no specific stories of the family. It was a great hook to keep me reading though!!)
It's obvious that Craig has spent decades of his life on listening to stories passed down about the Clearances, and I appreciate all of that work. It wasn't an easy read or fun really, but I did enjoy learning from Craig's travels and research and the stories he conveys.
My opinion, it was a bit plodding in points, started to feel redundant, and flip-flopped back and forth on timelines which is difficult as a reader. And I didn't get much from all of the poems and songs but I still appreciate that Craig included those for their historical and cultural value as well as a connection to his poetry.
But the #1 thing missing are definitions for all the Gaelic and crofting terms. Next edition - footnotes, man. I actually started adding my own to help future readers (family members I'll be passing this on to).
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