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A good book to pick up and put down. Felt like it was reading someone else’s diary- a good diary but still a diary, with fragments and thoughts and moments.

Compelling enough to draw me in but the main characters arc still managed to orbit around men which kindof undermined the core theme. Perhaps Frankie’s behaviour was true to trauma but she struck me as narcissistic and self destructive. The footnote at the end was by far the best part.

It took me ages to read because it took me ages to slow down enough to absorb it. I have walked a tiny portion of the land she describes and every time I read it I felt sad I wasn’t back there. It’s so much denser and deeper than the size of it prepares you for. It’s a book I intend to buy and give to as many friends as I can.

Kristin Jack, the author was an exceedingly decent man and the reading and work he did behind this book; and the hope he had to arise from it was really excellent. It is, unfortunately not a great novel though, which is a bit of a shame. He doesn’t do a great job of world building in the first third, but enough of a job that once you get past half way it is gripping and interesting. I would actually recommend others to read it despite it not being rated so highly, because the message is so robust and good.

But I think that’s what happens when it’s trying to stick to historical events.

My favourite chapter was the walkway that went out into the ocean.