An Island Parish: A Summer on Scilly

by Nigel Farrell

The Scilly Isles, one of the most remote parts of England, are in crisis. With the small population constantly leaving the islands for the mainland, those left behind are having to work harder and harder to make a living, and this summer is crunch time for many of them. Nigel Farrell is our guide through a community he has grown to know and love, filming the islanders over the last two years for the popular BBC2 series 'An Island Parish'. He introduces us to Father Guy, the new priest; another newcomer, Heike, the islands' German vet and Plymouth policewoman Nikki, who set some hearts aflutter on her summer placement last year. With a cast of fascinating characters and a beautiful setting, this is the story of the events of summer in an idiosyncratic world that is slipping away. Come August Bank Holiday, how will the islanders have fared?

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2008

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

i really wanted to like this book as i love ready travel writing and also england, but unfortunately i just couldnt warm up to it. i think it has to do with the fact that it is based on a tv documentary series/ written alongside it.
for me not having watched the tv bit, it was all very confusing. too many characters, too many stories.
i thought a lot about abandoning the book, but gathered the strength and finished it.

[Eugène L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книжка про життя на Scilly Isles - ізольованих островах біля узбережжя Англії. Чим живуть мешканці і як складається доля переселенців з материка. Здається, досить приємне місце. Гарна природа, на. Новий рік усі мешканці виходять на вулицю у саморобних карнавальних костюмах, на свята у барах закінчується їжа, магазини зачинено, а ресторани працюють лише влітку. Взимку роботи мало, зате літом люди працюють на повну і по 7 днів на тиждень. Підлітків від 16 до 18 років на островах нема - усі вони у старшій школі, на "великій землі". Формально, острови є власністю Герцога Корнуельського, себто принца Чарльза: герцогство збирає податки і рент, а натомість завідує громадськими службами. Найважливіша економічна подія за останні 350 років сталася у 1998: біля островів затонув вантажний корабель (екіпаж врятували) і жителі як мурашки потягнулися до контейнерів, що винесло на пляж: там знайшлися різні товари - від білизни, до компьюрерів. Обидва поліціянти островів намагалися це припинити, але не впоралися; викликали гелікоптер по допомогу - але мешканці замаскувалися і продовжили справу. А взагалі злочинності на островах нема. Хто приїхав на острови - закохується в них.

У книзі багато цікавих подробиць, зокрема й про конкретних людей зі справжніми іменами. Якщо ви маєте можливіть/бажання з'їздити на ці острови - варто читати кожен рядок (плюс - зазирнути на сайт Radio Scilly). Якщо ні - просто цікаво дізнатися про куточок світу, де ніколи не був.

[Elle Courtonel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a charming read during my time on the Scilly Isles last summer, and provided an insight to the tight knit community life that lies beneath the surface of these small islands. It was a lovely book to pick up during free pockets of time whilst friends paddle boarded, dipped into the sea or gaps between prepping for dinner.

The book follows the story lines of multiple characters, which makes the reader feel woven into the lives of the individuals and almost hoping to bump into them in real life. There are many echoes of the book from people, places and businesses that still exist today - including the islands incredible ice cream.

Unfortunately, I did not finish the last few chapters of this book, as towards the end, the storyline felt dispersed over too many individuals lives and hard to follow. It may also be because I was saddened to read about some tragedies on the island, that impacted the community forever and to an extent you can feel when visiting.

Overall the book provided some interesting facts, humour and a glimpse at the history of the islands and the individuals that inhabit it - I was often sharing facts with friends!

This book really lost its magic when I was no longer on the island, I wish I had come across it sooner on the trip!

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. DNF at page 50. I really wanted to like this book. I love the concept of researching remote island living in England, & the people he meets & their stories, but the writing just didn’t hold me. There were some amusing anecdotes, & descriptions of the area & scenery that had glimmers of good writing, but it was mostly just kind of dull. Perhaps I’d feel differently if I’d seen the documentary.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

an enjoyable read,enhanced by the tv series produced by the late Nigel Farrell.as I was reading his voice kept coming into my head,I have watched all the series starting with I think a country parish many years ago.he has a love of the place and the people,trying to invoke the friendly and neighbourly atmosphere.a steady holiday read.

[Shirley Metelmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere I’d never get to go
Great history
An ok read

[Kimberley H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read, would love to visit one day

[Timothy Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting study of the lives of the people of a tiny island community off the edge of Cornwall. Recommended for people who like travel writing.

This review originally appeared on book coasters