Loki resting with his stick. His X is quite prominent today.
Comment field update! First off, some comments you've left me have gone to Spam and so now I check spam/junk folder everytime I log on. Apologies. That's now handled . ✅
Also I found a way to leave comments on WP blogs, much to my delight :-) I just use my old AOL email address as it's not ever been associated with WP. Problem solved. ✔
Books
Manod Llan lives with her father and young sister on a remote Welsh island. She is a curious young woman and wants more than her sheltered existence provides. What she wants she does not know, she just knows there has to be more to life. The dwindling population make a living fishing, living a very simple life until a whale washes up ashore.
When English ethnographers (I had to look that up) arrive on the island to study the culture and the basic lives of the population, Manod's world is opened up and she is excited. There is much Welsh language in the narrative but the translation is there as you read. Manod is hired to make translations from Welsh to English to the reseachers.
Unfortunately the English researchers are scoundrals, in my opinion, and the book took a turn I did not expect. I suppose if you are looking for imagery the dead whale would represent the dying community on the island. This is a short book and many of the "chapters" are half a page.
Forgotten on Sunday
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Yay Loki! He looks happy with his stick. I'm glad you included his pic. It seems like you were a bit lukewarm about Whale Fall ... so not sure now if I should skip. The premise sounds good but the turn of events not so good. I'm reading Clear by Carys Davies now (which is another long ago island-set story) and it also has short chapters. Sometimes I wish for a bit more, but I'm not far enough in it yet. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I included his pic after reading your response on your blog :-) Whale Fall was an artsy book and so short, therefore I didn't feel like I had to push myself to finish. I have not heard of Clear but will look that up.
DeleteLoki looks very content with his stick. Love the X on his back! I have Fresh Water for Flowers in my stacks - my first of Valerie Perrin's, based on your recommendation. I'll be eager to hear how you like Forgotten on Sunday. I got a comp audiobook of that, so I may get to it before the other. Hope you get a break in the hot weather. We're at a cool 55, but the sun has disappeared. Bah.
ReplyDeleteLes, poor Loki has that X in a prominent spot! I hope you like Fresh Water for Flowers but it's certainly a different writing style. I like her work. That said, Forgotten on Sunday is going well but her first two books are better, in my opinion. My summer reading challenge list is going well and I have another on that list waiting at the library.
DeleteVicki, it's so good to hear from you! Loki was indeed tired. Plays hard, sleeps hard :-)
ReplyDeleteWhale Fall sounds fascinating for those interested in environmental issues. That small community in Wales sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHarvee, it's a short book and the focus is more on the island culture as they are living in the past. It's a quick read.
DeleteOoh, I'm interested in Whale Fall. You don't see that many books set in Wales! And I'm not surprised (assuming it was at all realistic) that the English seemed like scoundrels -- sounds like it's set not even 100 years after Brad y Llyfrau Gleision -- even now there can still be tensions between the English and the Welsh!
ReplyDeleteNicky, if you like detective stories try Jenny O'Brien's series about Detective Gaby Darin and there is a good book called The Dynamite Room by Jason Hewitt. Welsh settings! I have a list on my sidebar with hyperlinks for the country settings for books. I ahve 8 listed for Wales but there are probably more I haven't linked.
DeleteThis is MY stick. Don't take it from me. :)
ReplyDeleteMark, that is very true. :-)
DeleteI'm glad you were able to figure out your comment problems. I ended up going to Disqus because I wanted a way to be able to respond back to comments easily. Of course Disqus has its own set of problems.
ReplyDeleteBoth the books you shared sound good. Lately I am finding that enjoy short books with short chapters more than ever before, so I might look for Whale Fall.
Deb, It's a work around for the comments as I don't think that old email address works but still - I can visit and comment on WP blogs ! Good idea on the Disqus but I agree, every comment option has their own issues,
DeleteWhale Fall is indeed short, about 260 pages.
Wow you really can see that X very well. What a cutie!
ReplyDeleteErin, it is a strange birth mark of sorts! He does love his stick.
DeleteI’m glad you got your commenting issues sorted out!
ReplyDeleteLoki looks very attached to that stick. Does X mark the spot?
Wishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae, iit's so good to hear from you. I am glad the commenting is sorted as well. I hated the redirect to my defunct blog instead of the active one. Yes, Loki likes his stick and that X makes me want to start him a page on Twitter!
DeleteSometimes you just need a book with half page chapters :) Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Helps in my summer reading list goal as well :-)
DeleteWhat a cute picture of Loki! I don't think I ever noticed his X before! That's so neat!
ReplyDeleteJinjer, he's a handful and I like how unique he is. Before we made him so fat it was more pronouced in a longer way, haha
DeleteLike Jinjer, I've never noticed Loki's X before either! My grandpup Winnie is a stick over, too. She always seems to bring one home after a walk. I'm hoping to read my first Valerie Perrin novel , Fresh Water for Flowers, later this summer. Hope you're having a good week, Tina.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, we didn't notice Loki's X until we'd had him a few days. He has some unusual markings such as long black spots which resemble earphones hanging from his neck. I'll get a photo of that.
DeleteGood week so far but the heat indexes have been 102 and 105 last few days. We walk early and i am trying to stay active inside. So I am reading more and just finished Forgotten on Sunday. I hope you like Fresh Water for Flowers :-)
You guessed right on what beach we're going to! We're heading down to my dad's house in Fort Morgan so we are staying in Alabama though just barely. Valerie Perrin is on my TBR. Her books look really good. Love seeing Loki and I love the X! How neat. Rover is a big fan of sticks. He brings them home on walks.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I hope you have a wonderful time. Take plenty of books and sunscreen!
DeleteNot sure what the appeal is of the sticks but dogs seem to love then. Hey, it's a free toy for as long as their interest lasts :-)