This is the second book by Linda Gillard that I’ve read, and it’s almost as good as the first one. And that’s still high praise, because I adored Star Gazing. It was beautifully written, the words and descriptions so evocative, that in my mind, it’d be a hard book to top.
However, Emotional Geology is still beautiful written, with a compelling story and setting. In fact, I’m ready to move to North Uist.
Emotional Geology is the story of Rose Leonard, a textile artist who has recently moved to the remote island of North Uist (it’s in Scotland) in search of solitude. Rose needs solitude for her sanity, although it takes awhile to uncover the reasons for why her grasp on sanity is so precarious. And despite her desire to be left alone, Rose is increasingly drawn to her neighbors, particularly Calum, a younger man with some troubles of his own. And when Rose’s daughter arrives for a visit, she will become the catalyst for quite a few revelations.
What makes this book special is both its setting and the characters. While the set-up is similar to Star Gazing, the characters themselves are completely different. Gillard brings North Uist to life, both the remoteness and the resulting closeness of its inhabitants. And her flawed characters are honest and real. Rose may not seem like she possesses much of a mothering instinct, but by the end of the book I could totally understand her reasons for wanting her own life and her desire for some distance from her daughter.
If you’d like to know more about how the book came to be, as well as more about the characters about which I’m being intentionally vague, check out this page on the author’s website.
And if you’re the FTC, I bought this my own self, so move on.
Are you being intentionally vague because you know the less I know about a book, the more likely I’ll read and enjoy?
I do like the word evocative when used to describe a good book.
.-= Care´s last blog ..Midnight Cowboy Part 1 =-.
Some things just need to be discovered on their own.
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..Emotional Geology =-.
This book sounds like a great read! It’ll go on the “list”.
. I LOVE the cover…funny how the cover can draw you in.
I might let you borrow it.
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..Emotional Geology =-.
Thanks, Jill, for buying a copy! I’m the author.
I was thrilled to know you’d enjoyed EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY. I love all the Scottish islands. I lived on one for 6 years (Skye) but I think my favourite has to be North Uist, the setting for EG.
Thanks for the link to my website. I guest blogged in more detail about how I came to write this first novel over at Anne Mini’s blog, “Author! Author!” See http://www.annemini.com/index.php?s=gillard
Linda, thanks for stopping by. And for leaving that link…what an amazing story!
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..Emotional Geology =-.
P.S.
STAR GAZING is now distibuted in the US but your best way to get hold of a copy of EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY would be from The Book Depository in the UK who do free shipping worldwide. http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781905175079/Emotional-Geology
I loved this book too, but this is not to say that only people named Jill will love this book. And I too now want to go to Scotland! So if anyone wants to do a Bloggers Holiday there, I’m in!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of Kristin Lavransdatter, Volume II: The Wife, by Sigrid Undset and translated by Tiina Nunnally =-.
Book Bloggers Conference 2011…Scotland or bust!
Please do come! Maybe you could time it to coincide with the Edinburgh Book Festival? And remember, Scotland is much bigger than you think, so make sure you set aside plenty of time to see it.
If you enjoyed the two novels by LG that you have read so far, just wait till you read A Lifetime Burning! My favourite so far.
.-= LindyLouMac´s last blog ..Indian Summer =-.
Ooh, this sounds really beautiful! Definitely not my normal kind of read, which is also fun and good
thanks for the review!
Also, JUST realized that your blog background is carbonation bubbles. Clever!
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Amazing Book Video =-.
I’ve got Star Gazing and you’ve made me want to read it right now! I’ll have to look for this one if I enjoy Star Gazing as much as you did.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Interview with Ann Pearlman, author of The Christmas Cookie Club =-.
I think you just gave me TWO new additions to the ol’ wishlist.
.-= Florinda´s last blog ..(E)Book Talk: "The Help," by Kathryn Stockett =-.
Well well well…now I’m certain that all book bloggers named Jill are really Linda Gillard!!!! This is getting confusing for me!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Review: Lit by Mary Karr =-.
Have not read Star Gazing, but sounds like I should. Love the title of this one
.-= diane´s last blog ..My 2010 Reading Challeges Picks =-.
oh JILL, The last line is HILARIOUS
This sounds good. I mean I have not read this author, but you have me intrigued. I think I want to check out the 1st book you mention by the author
.-= Veens´s last blog ..True Believer By Nicholas Sparks =-.
Authorial disclaimer: any resemblance between me and book bloggers named Jill is entirely coinicidental.
You had me at this: “a textile artist who has recently moved to the remote island of North Uist” Adding it to my list.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Virtual Cookie Swap: 2009 =-.
I remember when Jill/Rhapsody reviewed STAR GAZING … I added it to my wish list. Now EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY joins it.
Nice FTC disclaimer.
.-= Dawn – She is Too Fond of Books´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon: digesting the week that was … =-.