#632 Swept Away- T.C. Boyle

#632 Swept Away- T.C. Boyle

If you don’t hold onto it, opportunities can blow away in the wind, literally. A young, beautiful American woman is visiting the Isle of Unst, the northernmost point of Scotland’s Shetland chain. She is a photographer, and adventurer and on her first day in town, while lugging all her equipment and bags to the Inn, she is bowled over by a flying cat. The wind in Unst is unbelievably strong and lifting up animals and tossing them towards unsuspecting visitors isn’t out of character for this part of the world.

While dazed on the ground, her life is saved from an oncoming car by a local sheep herder, Robbie. They fall in love and have an affair that is talked about for years to come. But she is a traveling spirit and Robbie belongs to the Isle. Before he knows it, his one great love is swept away for good.

Rating: 8-8-8-7 Total= 31

#101 Cree Queery and Mysy Drolly- J.M. Barrie

#101 Cree Queery and Mysy Drolly- J.M. Barrie

Some authors excel at realism, writing scenes and phrases that make us relate and feel like the writer and us have experienced life in the same manner. Some authors excel because they possess unreal imaginations. J.M. Barrie is more the latter, having been the famous creator of Peter Pan (as well as--according to Wikipedia-- popularizing the name Wendy).

This tale, although not at fanciful and care-free a the childhood myth, nonetheless taps into Barrie’s ability to tell a good story. Not an altogether happy story, but a touching one.

Cree Queery is a grinder by trade and a grinder by life. “There was a terrible want of spirit about Grinder Queery.” His cross to bear seems to be taking care of poor bed-ridden mother. He gives her half his meals and buys nothing for himself.

“Every one said that Mysy’s death would be a merciful release—every one but Cree.”

It might be a sad life or a grey existence but if it's all you have, live it right. The last 12 years of his life he saved just enough to pay back his last debt. “He paid off all he owed, and so Cree’s life was not, I think a failure.”

Word of the day: Callant- Boy, lad (primarily Scottish)

Rating: 8-6-7-7 Total= 28