Reviews: Follow the Dove (3)
“Review of 'Follow the Dove'”
Title: Follow the Dove
Author: Catherin Byrne
• ISBN-13: 978-1848768062
Publisher: Matador
Published: December 2011
Copyright © 2011
General Subject Matter: The life of a young woman in Scotland, and the families with
Author: Catherin Byrne
• ISBN-13: 978-1848768062
Publisher: Matador
Published: December 2011
Copyright © 2011
General Subject Matter: The life of a young woman in Scotland, and the families with
which she became involved.
Theme: Lifestyle of the early 20th century in Scotland.
Thesis: The story surrounding 2 families living on 2 small islands off the coast
Theme: Lifestyle of the early 20th century in Scotland.
Thesis: The story surrounding 2 families living on 2 small islands off the coast
of Scotland in 1899, and 1900. Here we find that the poor were not an exception
to the normal population; the poverty stricken were the basis of most of the
population.
Jobs were almost impossible to find, and if a man could get work on a fishing boat,
he would be away from home most of the time, leaving his wife, and children
to find whatever was available to stay alive. The land was not highly fertile, so
only small patches of vegetables were available, and any grass was for the sheep,
whose lambs brought small inputs of cash when they were sold at the summer
market. Bartering was the main method of obtaining anything needed for the
house, as cash was just too rare to be thought of.
Description:
The reader is introduced to Isa Muirison in the first sentence of this novel, and
she becomes a window into the lives of the Muirison family, and the Ried family.
‘The first time she saw him Isa forgot to breathe.’ This sentence sets the atmosphere
for the entire book. It allows the eye to naturally flow from page to page while
the story of Isa’s coming of age unfolds. The narrative descriptions are used in
every scene just enough to give the reader the background needed to continue,
while the dialog of the characters tells the reader just how important every word is. I
sa’s life is followed closely during her triumphs, disappointments, and disasters.
The effects of these events and their ramifications upon those close to Isa make
this book into a compelling story for every reader.
The Author, Catherin Byrne, is Scottish, and her knowledge of her country and
The Author, Catherin Byrne, is Scottish, and her knowledge of her country and
its history comes out in every word spoken by her characters. Authentic older
Scottish names, and dialog reinforce the story further, and the fact that it takes
place on the islands of Kirkwall, and Raumsey, just off the coast of Scotland is
the icing on the cake. This author can write. Her story remains compelling up to
and including the last page. Catherin Byrne has written a novel that is worth far
more than the price of the book. RB
8th October 2017
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“A great story set in the Far North of Scotland”
I started to read "Follow the Dove" by Catherine M Byrne and found myself
immersed at once in this compelling story so vividly written by newcomer
Catherine M. Byrne from Wick.
After the first few pages I knew I had to keep going, I was desperate to get to
After the first few pages I knew I had to keep going, I was desperate to get to
know the characters better, to understand them and to get involved in the way
they lived their working and private lives in very remote and sparsely populated
areas.
"Follow the Dove" is a strong story and very relative to the period and the setting.
"Follow the Dove" is a strong story and very relative to the period and the setting.
The characters involved become very real. You feel their pain, frustation and
anger at what life throws at them.
Many older readers, especially those from the North of Scotland and the Northern
Many older readers, especially those from the North of Scotland and the Northern
Isles, will be able to relate to this harsh way of life which existed before and for
some time after the turn of the 20th century. Catherine Byrne leads you into the
islanders way of thinking, working and socialising until you believe they really
existed.
Thank you Catherine for filling a space on my bookshelf with a wonderful,
Thank you Catherine for filling a space on my bookshelf with a wonderful,
wonderful read; you most certainly have a winner on your hands!
“A compelling read”
Once I started on this book I could hardly put it down. It is set in Orkney in 1
900 but it could be any farming, fishing community in those days.
I could relate immediately to the characters. Within a few pages
they felt like family and I kept reading wanting to know more.
The plot moves along at a cracking pace with humour and tragedy never
far apart. I would heartily recommend this novel.
