Sea Room
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15954
Nicolson, Adam
Book
0-00-257164-1
Harper Collins
2001
391
1
021
In Stock
Nicolson, Adam
Book
0-00-257164-1
Harper Collins
2001
391
1
021
In Stock
Review Date:
13/05/2002 Publisher: Harper Collins, 2001 £ 14.99
Adam Nicolson is the owner of the Shiants, a group of three small islands of wild and rugged beauty which lie in the Minch between Skye and Lewis. He was given the islands by his father on becoming 21, and will do the same for his own son. The Shiants have always been part of his life and his ties to the place and its wildlife, and to the shepherds and fishermen who visit, are vividly described.
In brief, this book is an account of the geology, ecology, aechaeology and history of the islands, including his family's involvement. But it is much more than that. Nicolson has written a lyrical saga of the islands, in which his love and reverence for them is poetically expressed.
Reading the book with an eye to review rather spoiled it for me. In order to pertray the people and events in the islands' history, Nicolson extrapolates extensively from the rather meagre archaeological evidence and I found myself questioning some of his conclusions in an academic way. I will read the book a second time for pleasure. This is a beautiful book about a beautiful place, written by a man who loves the Shiants. Long may his family guard them. - JFA
