Bruar's Rest

by Jess Smith

At the turn of the century in the Highlands, the gypsy wife of wild drunkard Rory Stewart dies giving birth to their second son. Many years pass, and Rory and his sons are rootless travellers on the roads of Scotland. One night, during a winter storm, they save another travelller family from freezing to death in a blizzard. Bruar Stewart and one of the girls he rescues, the hot-blooded and beautiful Megan, fall in love. But when war is declared in 1914, it tears their lives apart. Bruar is reported missing in action, and Megan sets off on a long and perilous journey to find him...

Genres: Scotland, Fiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Tarryn Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourites books. For me, it was a book that I couldn't put down! I loved how descriptive the entire story was. I could easily imagine Scotland's beautiful terrain and the difficulties travellers encountered through Jess Smith's words. It also opened my eyes to the lives of travellers and taught me a great deal about their culture.

[Mark K.Astley · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointing read.. Disneyesque tinker and gyspy caharacters with some absurd stylised dialogue, especially when the Irish get in on the act.. the corn as in corny is overcooked!!

[Lynsey Easton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story which brought history to life. Good topics including Gypsies and Scotland and WW!