This one really got me. Maybe it was because I was also reading the abonimable In Search of Klingsor at the time, a novel that would make any other author appear talented.

Nathan is a writer with a past living on a remote Welsh island only reachable by boat and only peopled by his literate peers. His past starts to catch up with him though when aspiring writer Mary Lamb appears, his estranged daughter.

This leads to a game of cat and mouse as Nathan, fully aware of his fatherhood, makes his way closer and closer to the daughter his guilt won’t let him confess to.

It’s a moving story that is very well written if a little drawn out. If you find it a bit slow going at first, persevere with it. Kennedy has a real knack of portraying the inner emotions of her characters. You develop a deep sympathy for Nathan and can’t help but feel for him as a fellow insider to the trauma wrenching his heart around.

The writing is mesmeric at times. I had glimpses of The Sea, The Sea and The Unconsoled throughout which was a very comforting experience. For this alone I’d recommend it, but with the addition of a moving family drama, this is a novel that will reach many hearts. ( )

Jesus, this wounded mess is indeed perfect for the heartbroken, the shattered, those that sup on debris and mourn the light. Amazing chunks and weaves of this novel remain intact eleven years later, an amazing feat. Kennedy is both personal and palpable, ultimately relentless, her charatcers you empathize with to the horizons of self-mutilation and abnegation. This novel is laden with resounding slaps and warm, musky hugs. ( )

I’m going to try really hard not to gush here, but I’m obsessed with this book. I couldn't put it down. The writing is flawless, the story is intriguing, the characters are palpable…lovelovelove. ( )

Mary Lamb has been accepted to join a writing colony. She must leave her much beloved “uncles” and move to Foal Island where the colony is located. Her uncles are her real uncle and his partner. They have raised her since she was a little girl. The uncles are two of the most adorable characters that I have come across in fiction in a long time.

The colony consists of:

Joe, who is the founder and leader of the colony. He quit writing years ago. He is the stoic, calm voice of reason.

Nathan Staples (our hero, or anti-hero?), who has written a decent novel, but has mostly made his living writing cheap romantic / murder / gore books. His editor and best friend, J.D. (who is a hilarious drunk), wants him to write another “proper” novel. J.D. lives in London. Nathan had to have a lung removed and must visit London frequently for medical checkups. While there, he and J.D. often drink heavily and attend publishing parties that they hate.

Ruth, who was once bitten by a shark and is obsessed with talking about sharks.

Linda, who has an overwhelming sexual appetite and has a curious obsession with certain vegetables.

Richard, who lives with Linda. His right arm is shorter than his left and he feels that Linda only likes him because of what she can do with his small arm.

Louis, who is the elderly historian of the colony.

Mary Lamb, the newest resident.

An unofficial member of the colony is Eckless, Nathan’s very lovable dog. Eckless’s name was originally Reckless, but Sarah (Joe’s young daughter that he only gets to see when his ex-wife feels like letting her visit) couldn’t pronounce “Reckless” and could only say “Eckless” so everyone started calling him Eckless.

The main story centers around the fact that Nathan is really Mary’s father, but she does not know it. He wants to tell her but can never seem to manage. He spends close to seven years trying to work up the nerve to tell her. He is her writing mentor and they develop a very close relationship. Nathan is still very much in love with her mother (and his ex-wife), Maura. The proper novel that Nathan finally writes is about him, Maura and Mary, and pages of the draft are interspersed throughout the novel.

I enjoyed the book but did not find it as good as Kennedy’s "Paradise". I thought it was too long (at 566 pages). I thought that some passages were unnecessary. For instance, I don’t understand why Mary’s romantic relationship with Jonathan was even included. It added nothing to the story and Jonathan was a very hollow character. Also, the ending was sort of a letdown for me.

This wasn’t one of my favorite novels but Kennedy still remains one of my favorite writers. She is a brilliant writer and I will read anything I can find by her. ( )

Mary Lamb, eine elternlos aufgewachsene junge Frau, will allen wohlmeinenden Warnungen zum Trotz Schriftstellerin werden. Sie hat ein Stipendium gewonnen und fährt auf eine Insel, um dort bei dem erfolgreichen Autor Natahan Staples das Schreiben zu erlernen. Was sie nicht weiß: Staples ist ihr Vater, der sie als Kind weggegeben hatte, den sie nie kennenlernte und der sie jetzt unbedingt wiedergewinnen will. (Quelle: amazon.de)