John of John
By Douglas Stuart ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10 "”His father put all his faith in the Presbyterian penicillin. For whatever ailed you there was only one cure: work and prayer.”..."
By Douglas Stuart
★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
400 pages
What’s it about?
Cal has just completed art school in Scotland when he is called home to the outer Hebrides of Scotland. His grandmother is unwell. He is hesitant to return to the home of his father and his grandmother, as he will need to hide his sexuality from everyone in this strict Presbyterian community. Only one old friend knows he is gay, and he turns away from Cal upon his arrival.
What did it make me think about?
Loneliness. What happens if your faith and sexuality are in conflict?
Should I read it?
This book is full of characters that take you to another place. A lonely rugged island with lonely rugged people. As with many character studies, this story starts slowly. But don’t give up on it! This book is filled with fascinating people making difficult choices. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can imagine thousands of heated book discussions about Cal, John, Innes, Ella, Grace and their choices! But isn’t that what a good book does- makes us think?
A passage I marked
”His father put all his faith in the Presbyterian penicillin. For whatever ailed you there was only one cure: work and prayer.”
