I was uncertain whether to try this book until I read Tony’s take on Carys Davies. It turns out that I had forgotten the book I read by her in 2021, also based on Tony’s recommendation.
Clear is set in Scotland at the time of two upheavals there and this book introduces both of them to us. In 1843 there was a major disruption of the Church of Scotland, resulting in “evangelicals” breaking away from the mainstream church which was in the power of rich landowners who could appoint ministers as they wished. The other upheaval was the second phase of land clearances and involved landlords ruthlessly removing farmers off their lands after a period of disruptions in the economy. You can read about this tumultuous and painful history in Wikipedia.
John Ferguson, a minister who had broken away and was not successful in raising funds for a new church, agreed to evict the single resident of a remote island on behalf of its owner. After saying goodbye to his wife of three years and a harrowing voyage, he landed on the island. Soon thereafter he fell from a cliff and was seriously injured. The resident to be removed, Ivar, found the picture of John’s wife and loved looking at her picture and thought of her as his own. He had been alone for many years and spoke only Norn, a language that has become extinct.
After he found John at the bottom of the cliff, Ivar transported him to his house and ministered to him until he recovered. He began teaching John his language and slowly they became able to communicate. John couldn’t remember and differentiate between the many words for what the sea and the sky looked like depending on the weather. Not surprising when you remember that the Eskimos have many words for snow. John could not find the words to confess what his mission was and Ivar accepted that he was a gift from heaven for his loneliness.
John discovered that Ivar has hidden Mary’s photograph and shortly after that, Ivar learned that John was there to act as the landlord’s agent to evict him. Just at that juncture, Mary, bold woman that she was, arrived on the island, knowing that it was time for John to have finished his mission. The three left together pledged to support and care for each other.
It was a pleasure to meet characters whose lives are convincingly told in this very different world. And I am happy to learn a bit about that economic upheaval and the land clearances in Scotland.
Carys Davies, Clear, Scribner, 2024, 196 pages (I read the kindle version). Available in the public library.