The Dark Ship

by Anne MacLeod, Iain Alexander Murray

In the early hours of New Year's morning, 1919, in a raging storm, the lolaire, bringing troops back from WW 1, sank on its entry to Stornoway Harbour, Isle of Lewis. Most on board perished. The island community was devastated and, in addition to its high loss of men in WW1, lost a further 200 men in its sinking, The wreck is still in Stornoway Harbour. The Dark Ship is about a poet who went to war; his lovers; his friends who stayed behind, and his friends who fought beside him. The novel spans three generations and two world wars, to the present day, and celebrates love, music and poetry in this carefully interwoven story that reflects the complex past and community of a Scottish island.

Genres: Scotland, Fiction

375 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Anne MacLeod lives in Fortrose and works as a doctor in Inverness. Her short fiction has been published in a Harper Collins edition and by The Scotsman.

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected The Dark Ship to be a story about a young couple from Stornoway whose love would be torn apart by the Iolaire disaster. You know, a cheesy romance wedged uncomfortably between historic facts. Instead I got a beautifully written story about life on Lewis throughout the first world war and all the issues that affected people at that time. The story really captures the strong spirit of the community and the relationships that bond people. The author also writes with a respect for the reader - not everything needs spelled out in detail. I'd highly recommend this book, as it was highly recommended to me. I think Stornowegians in particular would love it.

[Michael Bully · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel opens and ends on the Isle of Lewis in 1939 with a couple seeing their son off to war. The bulk of the tale concerns the impact of World War 1 on some families from the island, and reaches a bitter peak with the conclusion of the Armistice being overshadowed by the Iolaire disaster. Young men returning to Stornoway after fighting in World War 1 were travelling home on a yacht commandeered by the military authorities , and in the early hours of 1st January 1919, which missed the harbour entrance and collided with some rocks. Between 201-205 men lost their lives.
Many other themes are explored, the large number of men from the islands who fought in World War 1, love affairs, the plight of unmarried mothers, religious zeal. A few scenes move to Edinburgh for contrast . And the life and cult of a war poet from Lewis is created ....an unusual literary device.
Added to the mix are scenes concerning a soldier from the World War 1 years of the book which are set in a care home in 1996. The old boy and his family are being interviewed for a TV documentary. At times the novel falters in these sections. The portrayal of a tough young media career woman who deep down is emotionally vulnerable and eager for a date got irksome. But then made me realise how the rest of characters of the novel were authentic and well crafted, hardly every conforming to stereotypes. Highly recommend this book

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book and I enjoyed it just as much again. I first
visited Lewis and Harris nearly forty years ago and heard about the tragedy of the Iolaire. It always sends shivers down my spine to think of it. Anne MacLeod is an excellent writer who brings everyday life in the past so close as she weaves characters and plot together.

[Michael Turriani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book , best I've read in a while. Solid characters well written. and a detailed eye to the historical background.
Jumped around in time and location but we'll worth the effort keeping up.
I knew about the ships fate and the scars left afterwords to the island
Community so this added a personal story to a tragic event.
Very well presented..

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Carol Aldred · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lyrical, well-writen book with the different viewpoints handled sympathetically

[Martin Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a vivid story of fictional inhabitants of Stornaway, on the Hebridean island of Lewis, and the events leading up to the real-life sinking of the Iolaire. The Royal Navy yacht went down just outside the harbour on Jan 1 1919, with the loss of the lives of 200 soldiers returning from the battlefield.
Most of the narrative centres around World War 1 and it's impact on the islanders, particularly three childhood friends, but the story also spans later times and other places. The characters are rich and varied and the themes of love, war, music and poetry are interesting and enjoyably recounted, despite the tragic circumstances.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting book! Met the author while in Scotland - her passion to write about her home country was truly inspiring :)