The Keening

Remnants #1

by Margaret Pinard

A family torn apart by the effects of war must now deal with the trickle-down effects of peace: the collapse of the kelp industry on which they depend. Sheila McLean worries about her children getting ahead in the rapidly industrializing world of 1822, while her second husband Gillan is never quite sure about his ability to replace the father of her children. Neil, the firstborn son at sixteen, must put duty before his own hopes and dreams, but what about when love enters his life? Muirne, younger than Neil by a year, can no longer count on a dependable future in her own parish, and wants to find a way to contribute to her family s safety, too. But is marriage the only way to do it? Little ones Sheena and Alisdair are swept along with the tides of change as the McLeans flee their home in search of peace and security. But where will they find a new place to call home? When will the keening end, and their new lives begin?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Scotland, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2015

About the author

Sign up to hear about Margaret's new releases here: http://eepurl.com/-9Hj1 and follow her on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/margaret_pinard

Margaret Pinard has spent her first few decades traveling the globe in search of adventures to incorporate into her writing, including living in the lands of the Celts, the cities of European fashion, and several dolce far niente Mediterranean cultures.

Her five novels include the REMNANTS trilogy, historical novels about a family emigrating from Scotland to Nova Scotia in the 1820s; MEMORY'S HOSTAGE, a historical mystery; and DULCI'S LEGACY, a YA mystery. She resides in Portland, OR.

Reviews

[Jeremy Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I know the author from interacting on Booktube / Youtube in the comments of videos and live streams and such, but I did purchase the book myself and my review is my own honest thoughts.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel about a Scottish family trying to survive. In some ways, it reminded me of one of Ken Follett's epic historical fiction novels, just without any of the nobility featured; I liked that the narrative stayed with the family surviving poverty and hard times.

The title captivated me from the beginning and really comes through, all the way to the end of the novel. I liked the cover as well. At the beginning of the book, it took a while for me to get to know and care about the characters, but once I did, I was hooked. There was a nice transition, again similar to books such as The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, in which the main narrative focus shifted from the parent generation to the kids as they grew into adulthood.

I've heard a couple of people say they felt like this novel ended on a cliffhanger, but I don't see it that way. It felt like a complete story to me, but it's reminiscent of books like Lonesome Dove in which you know the characters have more life left to live. Since this is book 1 of a trilogy, I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series (probably next month).

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first five star read this year that isn't a Dickens novel. This is an engrossing tale of a family of crofters forcibly thrown off the land, which they'd been farming on the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Highlands for generations. The action is set in the 1820s, the laird, driven by capitalist concerns, wants to put his land over to sheep grazing and uproot the crofters eking out a living. The family move first to Glasgow, a city in the throes of rapid industrialisation, but the cotton mills are unhealthy for the father's lungs and so the mother tries to scrape together the fare to emigrate to Canada, for a new start. Margaret Pinard has created some memorable characters, who battle against adversity. Now I should look for the second part of the saga.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like historical fiction you will love this book. It follows a 19th-century Scottish family trying to establish normalcy when they are forced to leave their home by force. They end up in the city where we see the problems of cotton mills and dislocated farming families. I am always trying to find ways to describe the problems of the cotton mills to my students and Pinard did it so beautifully. The story also takes us to Canada and the hard decisions that families make when trying to start a new life away from home. I fell in love with the characters and theirs struggles. Class, gender, and religion play an important role in the lives of the characters and the time period really comes alive via those themes and struggles.

Margaret has a YouTube channel that I have been watching. She also comments on my videos and it was in one of those videos months ago that she mentioned her books. That is why I picked up The Keening. I paid for the book and all opinions are my own. I now need you all to know what a wonderful book this is.

[Zsofi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Keening is a nice novel for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
It is the story of a family who have to leave Scotland and find a new home for themselves. They have to fight poverty, illness, and other hardships, but they fight for their family fiercly.
The story is well written, but it was a little too slow for my taste. It is not boring, but not very exciting either, except for the last chapters (there is also a cliffhanger, so beware).
The protagonists were all easy to like, but I think they could have had their own personalities. They were all just too much alike. They didn't have their personal motives or their own thoughts.
Ms Pinard has a great writing style I think, I liked the detailed descriptions throughout the book. I hope the characters will have deeper personalities in the next book.

I would recommend this book for those who like historical fiction and family stories.

*I have recieved this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

l loved this book so much and was very disappointed at the end because I have to wait for book two. This was a piece of history I was not that familiar with. I will be keeping my eye out for future books by Ms Pinard.

[Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely absorbing!! Just the right amount of detail for me to feel transported to the early 19th century, without feeling overwhelmed by terms and concepts that need to be explained. I immediately started the 2nd book in the series because I NEED TO KNOW what happens to this family!!

[Star Gater · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 (Didn't round up and probably should.)

Loved this historical fiction novel. Pinard uses Gaelic dialogue, and that was my half-star deduction. However, please note I have gone back and forth. The author writes a clean, well thought out and researched novel, and I had to use a dictionary. Fortunately, I read on my Paperwhite allowing me to look words up and quickly get back into the story. Scottish 19th Century Gaelic speaking culture moving to Canada is not anything I've studied (happily) or read.

No spoilers: This is a story with a beginning, middle and ending. It follows completely a family with neighbors, merchants, etc., sprinkled in but not overtaking from the root. I liked the pacing as well as the familial relationships. In addition, I enjoyed all the family members (x6) were solid, not needy. There is no profanity.

Throughout the book I was engaged, immersing myself into Sheila's life.

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elbow view of the hardscrabble life of the Protestant Scots betrayed by the laird and scrabble to start anew in Canada. You almost feel you've lived it even tho it is a might hard to imagine such decent hardworking and persevering folk in this day & age where the homeless litter the landscape without a scrap of decency or pride.
One thing I thought was a bit odd is that it appears the author rated her own book a "5". Well I guess she liked it and not shy to advertise it.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an advance copy of this book, and it hooked me from the beginning. I was invested in the characters and immersed in a period of Scottish history I knew very little about before. By the end of the book, I felt like I'd been on this great journey with the McClean family, and I wasn't ready for it to end. So I'm hoping for a new installment soon...

[Gwen Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of three. Was very glad that I had all three at the start of this wonderful journey because I could not put them down. Wonderfully written and I will go back & re read another time. Always pearls that I missed the first time around.
Thank you Margaret for your hard work and beautiful story telling.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are in a reading slump, give this book a go. The story moves along at a great pace, and absolutely nothing is dragged out. The language is simple without seeming like a YA book (if you like YA, no shade). The characters are well developed and the story is engrossing despite its concision. Perhaps in the context of this story it would be at least somewhat apropos to say it's a good yarn. This author knows how to write. There are two other books in the series: The Grasping Root (#2) and Storm Wrack and Spindrift (#3). I intend to read more from Margaret Pinard.

[Elsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked The Keening. Calm and straightforward, this historical novel was the perfect book to read before going to sleep. The McLean family goes through some horrible things, but the even keel of the writing kept emotion at a distance.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in the mood to read something Scottish and this was just the perfect thing. Also theme of family seems appropriate for Thanksgiving.

[John (Hey Y'all Listen Up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am familiar with the author from watching her YouTube channel.
While I didn't get emotionally connected to the characters, this is an interesting read.

[Berna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars rounded up to 5.
A great period drama with a very lovable family…

[Elizabeth Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

From page one, I was hooked. I've had a rough year, and reading has fallen by the wayside. Margaret's book was worth taking time from my busy and exhausting life for. Every chapter pulled me further into a time in history I knew little about. Ms. Pinard's vivid imagery and strong prose brought the characters and setting to life, but didn't weigh the story down with descriptions. The dialogue was time appropriate, which, though it shouldn't be, is refreshing for the historical fiction I've been exposed to. By the end of the book, I knew and loved each character so much that I feel I could predict their actions in situations. That alone had me anticipating the second installment of the Remnants series, Grasping Roots (which has an incredible opening sentence). I can't wait to follow the characters through their journey and struggles.

Do yourself a favor and get immersed in Margaret's world. Thank me later.