Clear

I just finished Clear (2024) by Carys Davies. Beautiful!

I learned about it from Ros and Tilly. Indeed, I watched part of that video, but stopped it once I was convinced to try it. I went back and watched the rest a few minutes ago and there aren't really any spoilers, but better safe than sorry.

Clear is set in Scotland in 1843. The title refers to the clearances, a long period in Scottish history where landowners would evict tenants in order to replace them with sheep.

One of the characters spins, dyes (making the dye from lichens), and knits his own wool. As a 21st century man who knits, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to live in a time where it was unremarkable for a man to knit.

I listened to the audiobook read by Russ Bain. It was delighful. I sometimes have trouble understanding Scottish people, but he sounded authentic (to me; but what do i know?) without being difficult to understand.

Carys Davies has two other novels, as well as two collections of short stories. I think I shall add them to by TBR!