Meg Henderson

(8.5)This is the story of the Davidson family, narrated by Helen, a strong independent woman, granddaughter of the late 'Old Hector', daughter of 'young Hector'.
She now manages the family business which Old Hector built with a strong will and determination. 'Young Hector, now in his seventies is merely a figurehead, possessing neither the drive nor interest that his father had. The family seems cursed as none of the generations have had happy marriages. Helen has a daughter, Marylka, who is just completing her medical degree.
There is an alternate storyline, that of Betty and Alec Craig, the boarded-outs. Orphans placed into foster homes on the bleak island of Eilean Og.
Despite their grim start in life the couple marry and raise a loving family.
The two story strands eventually come together.
This writer has a gift in depicting the landscape and creating quirky characters. Her rendering of dialogue is superb and there is much humour in it.
This is one of those books I have had on my shelves for far too long and reminded me how my mother and I enjoyed many of this author's books.… (altro)