Eighth Moon Bridge

by Angus Peter Campbell

'They say he brought back some Spanish gold and others say he didn't bring anything except the rags he was wearing but had the power to turn stone into gold and that the two stories somehow got mixed up.'
Did Olghair MacKenzie steal alchemical secrets from the Egyptians? Or was he a rebel pirate who found refuge on a small Scottish island after the Armada? Does his treasure still lie hidden there? 
Six hundred years after MacKenzie's death, an ex-footballer returns to the island where he spent his youth. As the first  frosts of winter arrive, Jack moves into a fisherman's cottage fragrant with the scent of the sea. After many restless years, it is a true homecoming. Delighting in his employment as postie, he starts to reconnect with himself, with his family and with this tiny community. 
The tale of Olghair MacKenzie has fascinated Jack since childhood and he resolves to discover the truth behind the legend. To do so, he must unlock the secret of a bridge the shape of a perfect wave, understand the significance of stone number 759 and find out what is meant by the eighth moon. Can Jack trust the dreams of the local seer, or grasp the clue in the old Gaelic way of counting the months?
Jack's quest is truly magical, for it will lead him into very personal territory, unveiling links that tied him to the island long before he ever set foot there.

Genres: Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2024

About the author

Angus Peter Campbell (b. 1952) is an award-winning Scottish poet, novelist, journalist, broadcaster and actor. He writes in Gaelic as Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul.

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly lovely story!

I was impressed with the the character Jack. He is faced with decisions to lead him through the quest. Through the clues, he is successful.

Another strength was the description of the land. Magical!

I wanted much more of this story. I recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dora | ThePedestalBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Book Sirens and Luath Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up.

EIGHT MOON BRIDGE is, more than anything, a charming little thing. It's a story about Jack, written in the tone of a friend telling you the story of their life. Angus Peter Campbell does an excellent job at making you care about the character and the aspects of his life that I normally would prefer to skim over. From a footballer to a postman and then finally a treasure hunter, with some odd jobs in between, Jack has really done it all.

While the story is great, the narration is where Campbell shines. It's fast-paced and brief, moving the story forward with each sentence, truly immersing you in Jack's life. The characters each have a distinct voice and behaviours, wonderfully developed to the point where they feel like real people. It feels almost intimate, at times, reading about this: I felt as if I was intruding on private moments.

However, if you were to read the story for the treasure hunt, you might end up disappointed. I came in this blind and I loved the story, but I kept wondering where it was headed - because for over half of it, it felt like a memoir. The treasure hunt happens too late in the narrative for my liking. Even though it fits and Campbell did a stellar job of it all connecting to everything else, I still found it lackluster, and resolved too quickly.

Otherwise, this would've been a clear five-star review. I enjoyed it and if you enjoy well-written books and interesting, fully fleshed-out characters and their experiences, you will, too.

[Fiona Banham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming and poetic book, which is part-memoir, part-fantasy, provides a rich and enlightening insight into life on a small, fictional Scottish island. Through the eyes of Jack, the brilliant, complex, and multifaceted narrator, we see life on the island firstly from the perspective of a child, entering the community from the “outside”, and then, much later, through the lens of a postie who has thoroughly integrated himself into island life, serving as a vital carrier of messages (and in more than just the literal, material sense…). Given the book’s title, it makes sense that important moments and milestones throughout Jack’s life – on the island and mainland alike – are marked through the potent imagery of the bridge. Not only do bridges serve as the enabler of Jack’s return to the mainland in the physical world, but they also ground him during his time in the bustling capital of London as well. In the latter part of the novel, it is also a bridge that holds the secret to the hidden treasures on the island.

Jack is a masterfully written character, and it is a privilege to travel with him through the various twists and turns of his life, and to share in his metamorphosising passions, from football to chemistry to Gaelic mythology. The author’s treatment of his relationships with his parents and fellow islanders is simultaneously deeply studied and authentic; I felt that the depth of his connection to Sally, in particular, served as the driving force of the novel, and was deeply stirring, something that stayed with me long after putting this book down. Charlotte, by contrast, is a disappointingly under-formed character who is hard to grasp the essence of, which becomes increasingly frustrating as her significance to the plot increases. All in all, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the dissonance between community and loneliness that the author conveys on the island, in particular through a group of women so deeply connected by language, culture, and traditions, yet forced apart by the hostile geographies of the landscape.

For around seventy-five percent of the novel, it is difficult to perceive this as a work of fantasy. Jack’s life is extraordinary in its ordinariness; the twists and turns, and mountains and valleys that demarcate his path are captivating, both in their conception and retelling, but there is no sense of magical forces at work until the refurbishment of the island bridge sets in motion a mystery-infused treasure hunt which delves deep into the island’s mythological culture. To say that this turn of events is unexpected is not to ascribe it as being in any way out of place; it is simply another (if rather significant) twist in this tale that has the reader desperate to see what comes next, and unable to put it down.

Overall, Eighth Moon Bridge is a vital and timely ode to the Gaelic language and small island culture, sprinkled with a little bit of magic, which reminds us of the unique value of the stories and traditions passed down to us, and the price we pay by neglecting them.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Zara Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars.

I feel the novel lacked direction at times and I was confused by the nature of the timeline. The shifting nature of back and forth between this person’s point of view made the book hard to grasp and delve into. I’m not sure I could explain the plot as it seemed to not have a motivator or inciting incident of any kind. I’m sure this book will appeal to some readers but I am not one of them, unfortunately.

The prose and character voice were done well and I understood Jack, but not his place within the novel. Whilst the setting made me nostalgic of a past so familiar, as a Scot myself, I think it felt more like an homage or biography at times than it did fiction. The hyper-focus of the character and his hobbies and interests felt in tandem with any bloke I could come across in Scotland- that can be a good thing to show strong personality, but incredibly mundane as well.

If you read the blurb/description and think it sounds like your type of book, then you should definitely pick it up. If you’re unsure based off of the description, then I’d look at other reviews before committing to it. It is short but can drag at times too. Be mindful.

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[John MacLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written,a moving and profound tale of the true values of life.Captures accurately the enduring spirit of the western isles .

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eighth Moon Bridge is a novella by Angus Peter Campbell that combines (fictional) memoir and historical mystery in the lore of a northern Scottish island simply referred to as The Island. The residents still call it that despite the existence of a modern, busy bridge link to the mainland.

Jack, the first person protagonist, and his family uproot their urban lives to move to The Island for his father's teaching position. After a year with his father as teacher, Jack attends high school on the mainland, commuting by bus over that busy bridge every day. A bridge that, according to legend, contains hidden treasure, Spanish gold left there by a rebel pirate, Olghair Mackenzie, after the Armada.

We don't get to that mystery for about half the novella as the first part is in effect Jack's memoir of his life during and after his family's move to The Island. His youth from being the headmaster's son, his special friendship with a girl named Sally that leads to a troubling guilt he must bear the rest of his life, to his proficiency at football that lands him briefly at Chelsea. Then onto a transitory adult life of successes and setbacks as chemist, entrepreneur and lover.

Ultimately, life sends him back to The Island to become its simple but content postman. This is when the historical mystery part is triggered with the discovery of a fault line in the bridge. It leads to its being taken apart, stone by stone to open up a chance to find whatever pirate Mackenzie left behind. Jack gets involved with the contractor, a former fellow student.

Only it isn't gold they find, but a cryptic mystery requiring the assistance of others to decipher symbols or translate clues from Gaelic to solve over the rest of the story, one that becomes deeply personal for Jack.

The writing is often poetic and has a nice flow, and as a piece of literature, this hits the mark. As a story, possibly because of its brevity, I found it lacking in ways. Parts or scenes are given in detail while other parts feel skimmed over and overall it feels underdeveloped. As if this is was an outline with notes for a more ambitious piece, smoothed over with competent prose. I wasn't enamoured with Jack's voice, which can come off as aloof. He sounds successful at whatever he does, at least for a while, but his lack of passion seems ironic and un-humbly humble.

Those points notwithstanding, Eighth Moon Bridge is an enjoyable, compact read by an accomplished author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deborah Anne Mcfadyen-Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This is a lovely and somewhat poetic story.

The narrator, Jack, spends a hefty amount of time thinking about the past, lost loved ones, missed chances, missed penalties - in fact, the weight of the world seems to lie firmly on his shoulders. He wants a simple life but ponders constantly about the perplexities of life. And, honestly, I totally get that.

The story is simple enough. Jack leaves small island life for the big smoke before returning a few years later. Legend has it that there's buried treasure on the island and, after a chance, turn of events, he decides to look for the treasure.

However, for me, the treasure isn't the main story. Jack finding himself, his love for nature, his desire to learn more about his roots and native, yet dying, language, is what makes this an interesting read.

As a Scot, I was thrilled by all the Scottish and Gaelic references, about how Gaelic is still spoken in rural parts of Scotland (and some big cities) and that it's part of our culture and should still be celebrated and taught.

The harsh reality of the elderly on the island being the only ones who still speak the old language meaning that when they die, the language dies with them, leaves behind a feeling of melancholy.

All in all, this was a fine read. A story about how choices you and people from your past can make that can define who you are today.

NB: I was gifted an advanced copy of this book to read and review. This review is entirely my own.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a gem!

Eighth Moon Bridge by Angus Peter Campbell is a delightful, compassionate and kind novel. It is a short, easy read with so much to enjoy.

This story is set on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. The narrator (Jack) grew up on the island and returned after a time away to be its postal worker in adulthood. The island has a mystery surrounding treasure and a pirate, and the narrator tries to uncover this mystery.

A gentle-paced story describes Jack’s journey back to his childhood home, reflections on the past, present, and future, and the yearning for purpose, belonging, connection, and a sense of belonging. Human emotions are what make us who we are. As Jack settles into island life as the postal worker, these emotions are captured and treated with compassion by the author as he decides to unravel the island’s mystery.

I particularly enjoyed the descriptive writing and the author’s vivid descriptions of the island, the landscape, the flowers and the shrubs. Finally, the bridge plays a central part both physically, and as a way to leave and arrive on the island, and an historical part played in the island mystery.

This book is great for those seeking a story around self-reflection and discovery with mystery and legends thrown in. I highly recommend picking it up.


I'd like to thank the author Angus Peter Campbell and BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wee gem of a book this is! It's full of the charm and challenges of a small Scottish island, packed full of characters and culture. This is the first book by this author that I have read but it won't be the last. It is a poetic read, full of the rhythms and rhymes of nature, history and the Gaelic language.

It reads like a memoir, inserted with the stories of Jack’s youth, the move to the island, his burgeoning football career, a return to the island and his time as a postman there. He goes from being an ‘outsider’ when he first moves there as a child to an accepted and important part of the community as an adult. My favourite passages were those on the island and the mystery around the gold of Olghair MacKenzie, not because of the mystery but the perceived history and culture behind it. It is something that would feel very authentic if it did happen somewhere in the Western Isles. Maybe it has!

Jack was a lovely character to follow - totally normal in a way, with the turns in his life. His relationships with those around him were deep, apart from Charlotte I would say. I would have liked a tad more substance to her. Overall, this was a lovely snippet of island life and I could have read double the length of this book and still feel as if I would want more.

Let me know if you pick this one up!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading this gentle, short novel as part of the current book tour. The book largely focuses on the narrators reminiscences about his childhood and young adult life and the part played by Sally, a friend from childhood and her death in a tragic ice-skating accident in his life.
The Spanish gold of the synopsis is not referred to until page 88 over halfway through the book. A one point I thought the Gaelic speaking old ladies on the narrators postal delivery round on a small Scottish island were responsible for the "note" left in a box in the Eight Moon Bridge, leading to the Treasure Hunt for the Spanish Gold. I was interesting how Sally was again connected to the story through her grandmother, on of the "little old ladies" and the narrator himself was related to Olghair MacKenzie and how his father had researched MacKenzie’s history and their family connection to him. I was left with the feeling that the narrators father may well have left left the box and note in the bridge as a means to connect and spend time with his son in the treasure hunt.

[Dr. des. Siobhán · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute 'Treasure Island' in Scotland story where Gàidhlig is slowly introduced to readers who are as excluded from this part from Scotland as the main protagonist who moves to the unnamed Island. While I did not particularly like our main character (I don't care about football at all and the turn from footie to postie was not really convincing either), the mystery surrounding the bridge find was nice. Some illustrations are plopped in but I'm not sure they are needed. The book gave me the vibe of a children's adventure novel written for adults - for whatever reason I believe it might have been the better children's book really with the Treasure Island vibe. I didn't care for the main character really. The doom and gloom in connection to the Gaelic language felt somewhat uncalled for too (only in parts of the novel), it can be a living and breathing language of people anywhere, if you allow it to be. But I was happy to see some rudimentary Gàidhlig on the page, so that's a win. 3 Stars but I was a bit bored

[Elaine]

Campbell clearly has a love of the natural world and it shows in his writing. Those are the parts of the book I enjoyed the most: His descriptions of the land and sea and flowers were beautiful.

At some points I was confused: I wasn’t aware that tackling was allowed in soccer and there were a couple of references to making a tackle! And the timeline jumped back and forth in a way I sometimes found unsettling.

One thing is clear, though, Campbell loves Scotland and he loves the old language of Scotland and the people of the islands. That respect comes through the entire story line.

This was a relaxing book to read beginning in another time that was less chaotic than the times we live in now. And I appreciated the chance to move away from that chaos is this gentle story.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books where I'm not sure what to say. That isn't a bad thing though. It was a really quick read, and nothing much happened for most of the book. Yet at the same time so much happened. But I really liked that. It was so relaxing, almost soothing, just reading about Jack's life. His loves and losses, highs and lows. I loved reading about life on "the island", I'd love to live somewhere so quiet and slow paced.

For me this book carried a message about finding treasure in the everyday, mundane things. In the flowers, the cups of tea and the friendships we make along the way.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a few chapters to get into this story. I wasn’t sure I liked the young, ordinary boy who moved to an island and had little to commend him except his friend, Sally. His ‘quest’ was a long way in the future and not even hinted at to start with, but I grew to like Jack: solid, trustworthy and true - incorruptible, in fact. The quest is more about love and life and the past than it is about treasure, more about the journey rather than what’s at the end of it. Beautifully descriptive and intriguing, this is a story to be savoured, rather than rushing to find the conclusion.

[Juliette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you BookSirens for this ARC!

This book definitely had potential. While it was slow in the beginning the discussion of language, Gaelic in specific, maintained my attention alongside his writing. I adored how the first few chapters read like vignettes into our main characters life and were stepping stones of sort for the plot. However I just don’t think I connected with the main character and while I connected with the side characters and was empathic towards the plot. Personally the protagonist fell flat for me though I can’t pinpoint why.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting after reading the blurb, it's not an action packed mystery about some Spanish Gold, in fact that's not even mentioned until over half though the book.

Instead this book is more or a memoir of the main character Jack. He describes his life, it's up and downs, always with reflective thinking and lessons of life learnt.

It's only a short read (I read it in one day) and with a lot packed into the book I felt some things were brushed over quite quickly.

If you are looking for a light hearted, quick read this is the book for you. It's set on a fictional Scottish Island with the old Gaelic language being a big part of the theme.

[Mystic KT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and as a fan of Scottish folklore and mythology. I loved the lyrical writing style which lent itself to the story that the author portrayed. I loved our main character and how we basically followed him through life and his losses. The main storyline is of a treasure hunt and finding out the meaning behind some of the rhymes and song from the highlands. I am now going to look into some of the other works by this author as I think he could become a favourite.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story with a beautifully written central character, who comes to appreciate that the most valuable things in life are a sense of belonging and his relationships with the people and places in his life.

[Donald Howieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.. just wow!