Ardnish Was Home: A Novel (The Ardnish Series) - Softcover

MacDonald, Angus

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1780274262 ISBN 13: 9781780274263

Publisher: Birlinn, 2016

Synopsis

Young Donald Peter Gillies, a Lovat scout soldier lies in hospital in Gallipoli in 1916, blinded by the Turks. There he falls in love with his Queen Alexandra Corps nurse, Louise, and she with him.

The story moves back and forth from their time at the field hospital to the west highlands of Scotland where Donald grew up. As they talk in the quiet hours he tells her the stories of the coast and glens, how his family lived and the fascinating life of a century ago: bagpiping, sheep shearing, celidhs, illegal distilling, his mother saving the life of the people of St Kilda, the navvies building the west highland railway and the relationship between the lairds and the people. Louise in turn tells her own story of growing up in the Welsh valley: coal mining, a harsh and unforgiving upbringing.

They get cut off from the allied troops and with another nurse are forced to make their escape through Turkey to Greece, getting rescued by a Coptic priest and ending up in Malta. By this time their love is out in the open, but there is still another tragic twist to their story waiting on the way back to Donald’s beloved highland home . . .

About this title

About the Author:

Angus MacDonald has lived all his life in the highlands and is steeped in their tales. He served in his local regiment, the Queen’s Own Highlanders. A serial entrepreneur he was awarded the Spear’s UK entrepreneur of the year award for 2017, building businesses in publishing, renewable energy, recycling and education. He founded The Caledonian Challenge and runs The Moidart Trust, as well as being co-owner of The Highland Bookshop in Fort William.

Review:

a fast-paced narrative with deeply likeable characters ... far more than yet another wartime love story ... impossible to put down' (Scottish Field)

a genuine portrait of a time gone forever ... a very good read' (Rosamunde Pilcher)

a tragic tale, captivating and a good read'  (Press and Journal, Book of the Week)

Burns with love for his country...[Macdonald's] plain, easy-going style takes on a natural engaging momentum' (The National)

Extraordinary. Far more than another wartime love affair. I closed the book with the strong feeling of the importance of kin shire, the need to nurture one another, and the power of love. It will enter your soul' (Scots Magazine)

Striking, charming, page-turning novel about love in the ruins of the first world war'  (Piping Times)

This is a book that is truly enthralling - brutal, poetic, unjust but beautiful... A beautiful yet tragic tale, set in the First World War, Ardnish Was Home kept me captivated throughout and left wanting more at the end. It delivers everything the title implies about family and community in the Scottish Highlands and illustrates that love can be found in the most desperate of circumstances' (The Bookbag)

About this edition

• Publisher: Birlinn
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1780274262
• ISBN 13: 9781780274263
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 256