This book started slowly for me. It throws you right into the middle of it, a community of lots of Scottish women with confusing Scottish names saying all sorts of Scottish things that are almost impossible to parse on the first run through.

But as it developed, this book really hooked me in. Garry Forbes coming back from war, from his fight of good against evil, looking to fix the world. He finds a small example in a girl from the village of this evil, she has claimed his dead friend betrothed himself to her before he left. Him trying to get this simple fact straight goes on to have utterly life changing consequences for a whole range of characters. Upon talking to Louie he quickly realises she is a bit more complicated than disgracing his friends name. She is wrapped up in herself and can’t get out, as is Ellen Falconer, one of the three Craigmyle sisters who unbeknownst to Garry becomes obsessed with exposing Louie. Ellen has been living her life in her fantasy world, she comes to realise at the end she has experienced almost none of it. Louie goes to utter ruin and never recovers.

This book gives such interesting perspectives on life, it gives me a view inside the heads of people I hadn’t even comprehended existed. These are the funny old characters that make up old tails, and it does bring me to wonder, what did I think was going on inside their heads? This book gives a beautiful view into the pains and trauma of community life. But also evokes a great respect for the people who get through it.