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Emotional Geology
Rose Leonard is on the run from her life. Taking refuge in a remote island community, she cocoons herself in work, silence and solitude in a house by the sea. But she is haunted by her past, by memories and desires she'd hoped were long dead. Life and love are offered by new friends, her lonely daughter, and most of all Calum, a fragile younger man who has his own demons to exorcise.
But does Rose, with her tenuous hold on life and sanity, have the courage to say yes to life and put her past behind her?...
But does Rose, with her tenuous hold on life and sanity, have the courage to say yes to life and put her past behind her?...
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
47 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
Linda Gillard
19 books285 followersLinda Gillard lives in North Lanarkshire, Scotland and has been an actress, journalist and teacher. She’s the author of ten novels, including STAR GAZING, shortlisted in 2009 for "Romantic Novel of the Year" and the Robin Jenkins Literary Award, for writing that promotes the Scottish landscape.
HOUSE OF SILENCE and THE MEMORY TREE became Kindle bestsellers.
HOUSE OF SILENCE and THE MEMORY TREE became Kindle bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 7, 2010
Just two weeks ago I reviewed Linda Gillard's most recent novel Star Gazing. Though I had somewhat mixed feelings on the ending, I loved the writing and the characters so very much that I was absolutely set on tracking down a copy of Gillard's first book EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY. Unfortunately, it's not readily available on this side of the pond and, the Ville funds being what they are, I wasn't sure just how soon I'd be able to procure a copy. Then what should happen but the very kind Ms. Gillard contacted me and offered up a copy for review! I eagerly accepted and the book showed up a very short while later. And the thing is, I dropped everything to read it. Read it that very night, in fact. In one solid chunk. I had things to do, sleep to get, work to wake up for, and yet none of it mattered and nothing could tear me away from this breathtaking story. Published in 2005, EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY is the first of Linda Gillard's three novels and I'm in awe that it is her debut. In her own words:
Don't you want to read that book? Now? It's downright refreshing. And intriguing to boot. In short, I was all over it.
Rose Leonard came to the windswept island of North Uist off the coast of Scotland to be alone. After recovering from a breakdown, spending time in a mental institution, time talking to psychiatrists, time adjusting medication dosages, she made the command decision to go away. Away from the past, from the pain, even away from her somewhat estranged daughter Megan, and try to recapture her creative drive. As a textile artist, she thrives on inspiration and she hopes this remote yet stunning location will simultaneously feed that need as well as shelter her a bit from the daily reminders, anxieties, and pressures that so often threaten her. Living in a almost completely bare cottage in a tiny village, she sits at her table and gazes out the window to the water and she breathes in and out. She writes letters to her daughter explaining her choice. And slowly she ventures out to meet the locals. Through a kind neighbor whom she develops a friendship with, Rose encounters Calum Morrison--a high school English and Gaelic teacher who used to live in Edinburgh, but who became fed up with city life and returned to his home to teach and climb. A friendship develops as these two passionate people talk about art and writing and the world around them. It is when Rose's daughter Megan writes to say she's coming to visit that the precarious tightrope walk Rose has been engaging in threatens to come crashing to the ground. The past, with all its horrors and indecencies, is on its way, is ready to move right back in with Rose. And when it does, the life she worked so carefully to fashion may not be able to stand the onslaught.
I had butterflies in my stomach for the entirety of this beautiful book. Every time I turned the page, another arresting passage awaited me. As Rose is a textile artist, creating art from a wide variety of mediums and materials, it seemed fitting to me that this story was pieced together using alternating first and third person narration, letters, poems, and flashbacks. Every one is special. Sometimes it took me a moment to orient myself, but it never left me confused or dissatisfied. Rather, I jumped into each section with verve, wanting to read every piece intently so that I could understand and appreciate the whole. From the opening lines, I knew this book would call my name:
Rose is such a frank narrator. And she's dealing with serious and prolonged mental illness, so that is really saying something. Ms. Gillard skillfully allows the reader into Rose's inner struggle to stay still, to stay in one piece and moving forward. Being bipolar, she is at times woeful, angry, elated, and utterly lost. But she never felt unapproachable and the fact that everything was laid bare made me feel a close kinship with her, despite the fact that I have not encountered the challenges and trauma she was up against. Once again, as in Star Gazing, the attacks of hopelessness and grief are just delightfully balanced by the breathtaking relationship that grows between Rose and Calum. He is several years younger than she and that point becomes a bit of a sticking one for the reserved Rose. Calum is bothered by it not at all and his sweet and persistent forays into her personal space brought a smile to my lips over and over again. The way their work brings them together and forges a bond between them that overshadows less important concerns such as age and experience, enriched the connection for me and formed a bright point of light when their individual pasts came knocking. I would be remiss if I did not mention the vast and glorious third main character in this novel. And that is the Scottish landscape itself. I've been dreaming of Scotland for the past several nights and I have this book to thank for it. The wind and the rain, the gales and the beautiful, beautiful names: Uist, Cuillin, Benbecura, Skye. I can't help but think Rose chose well when she settled on a place in which to heal. This is a story about dealing with grief and betrayal, about the constant battle against despair and the brutalities of the mind, about finding love and deciding to believe in your ability to keep it. I was completely won over by EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I decided I'd write a book for grown-ups--a thinking-woman's romance that dealt with real issues, had believable characters, a yummy hero, but no easy answers. I made my heroine--as a matter of principle--47. This was suicide in terms of finding a publisher, but I didn't care--I was writing to amuse myself.
Don't you want to read that book? Now? It's downright refreshing. And intriguing to boot. In short, I was all over it.
Rose Leonard came to the windswept island of North Uist off the coast of Scotland to be alone. After recovering from a breakdown, spending time in a mental institution, time talking to psychiatrists, time adjusting medication dosages, she made the command decision to go away. Away from the past, from the pain, even away from her somewhat estranged daughter Megan, and try to recapture her creative drive. As a textile artist, she thrives on inspiration and she hopes this remote yet stunning location will simultaneously feed that need as well as shelter her a bit from the daily reminders, anxieties, and pressures that so often threaten her. Living in a almost completely bare cottage in a tiny village, she sits at her table and gazes out the window to the water and she breathes in and out. She writes letters to her daughter explaining her choice. And slowly she ventures out to meet the locals. Through a kind neighbor whom she develops a friendship with, Rose encounters Calum Morrison--a high school English and Gaelic teacher who used to live in Edinburgh, but who became fed up with city life and returned to his home to teach and climb. A friendship develops as these two passionate people talk about art and writing and the world around them. It is when Rose's daughter Megan writes to say she's coming to visit that the precarious tightrope walk Rose has been engaging in threatens to come crashing to the ground. The past, with all its horrors and indecencies, is on its way, is ready to move right back in with Rose. And when it does, the life she worked so carefully to fashion may not be able to stand the onslaught.
I had butterflies in my stomach for the entirety of this beautiful book. Every time I turned the page, another arresting passage awaited me. As Rose is a textile artist, creating art from a wide variety of mediums and materials, it seemed fitting to me that this story was pieced together using alternating first and third person narration, letters, poems, and flashbacks. Every one is special. Sometimes it took me a moment to orient myself, but it never left me confused or dissatisfied. Rather, I jumped into each section with verve, wanting to read every piece intently so that I could understand and appreciate the whole. From the opening lines, I knew this book would call my name:
I talk to the island. I don't speak, but my thoughts are directed towards it. Sometimes it replies. Never in words of course.
I miss trees. You don't notice at first that there are hardly any trees here, just that the landscape is very flat, as if God had taken away all the hills and mountains and dumped them on neighboring Skye. But eventually you realise it's trees that you miss.
Trees talk back.
In the hospital grounds there was a special place where I used to stand, where I went to feel safe. It was my magic circle, my fairy ring. There were three slender pine trees in a triangular formation, only a few feet apart. I used to stand within that space, sheltered, flanked by my trees, like a small child peering out at the world from behind grown-up legs.
Once, when the air was very still and a brilliant blue sky mocked my misery, I stood between my trees, head bowed, not even able to weep. I placed my palms round two of the tree trunks, grasping the rough bark. I begged for strength, support, a sign. Anything.
My trees moved in answer. Quite distinctly, I felt them move. As my palms gripped them they shifted, as the muscles in a man's thigh might shift before he actually moved. The movement was so slight it was almost imperceptible, as if their trunks were flexed from within.
I knew then that the doctors were right, I was indeed mad. I threw up my head and cried out. Above me a light breeze played in the treetops, a breeze I had been unaware of on the ground. It tugged at the branches with a sudden gust and I felt the trunks flex again, bending to the will of the wind.
I wasn't mad.
At least, not then.
Rose is such a frank narrator. And she's dealing with serious and prolonged mental illness, so that is really saying something. Ms. Gillard skillfully allows the reader into Rose's inner struggle to stay still, to stay in one piece and moving forward. Being bipolar, she is at times woeful, angry, elated, and utterly lost. But she never felt unapproachable and the fact that everything was laid bare made me feel a close kinship with her, despite the fact that I have not encountered the challenges and trauma she was up against. Once again, as in Star Gazing, the attacks of hopelessness and grief are just delightfully balanced by the breathtaking relationship that grows between Rose and Calum. He is several years younger than she and that point becomes a bit of a sticking one for the reserved Rose. Calum is bothered by it not at all and his sweet and persistent forays into her personal space brought a smile to my lips over and over again. The way their work brings them together and forges a bond between them that overshadows less important concerns such as age and experience, enriched the connection for me and formed a bright point of light when their individual pasts came knocking. I would be remiss if I did not mention the vast and glorious third main character in this novel. And that is the Scottish landscape itself. I've been dreaming of Scotland for the past several nights and I have this book to thank for it. The wind and the rain, the gales and the beautiful, beautiful names: Uist, Cuillin, Benbecura, Skye. I can't help but think Rose chose well when she settled on a place in which to heal. This is a story about dealing with grief and betrayal, about the constant battle against despair and the brutalities of the mind, about finding love and deciding to believe in your ability to keep it. I was completely won over by EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY and cannot recommend it highly enough.
August 8, 2012
My first thought when I finished reading Emotional Geology was masterpiece. Beautifully written and deeply moving, it’s the story of a woman with bipolar disorder who is trying to start afresh after a traumatic relationship break-up and the resultant mental breakdown.
Rose, a textile artist buys a cottage on Uist, a remote Scottish island, and meets Callum, a poet, teacher and the younger brother of her neighbour Shona. Rose wonders why this handsome, charming forty year old is alone. Though there are hints before hand, the truth only comes out in the final chapters where he reveals his scars both physical and mental in some very powerful writing.
The reason for Rose’s breakdown is revealed in scenes of past events. As the story progresses, we discover the full extent of her betrayal by her ex-partner Gavin, and follow her inner journey as she endeavours to cast off his ghost and open herself to the possibility of new love.
This is a multilayered work with a brilliant use of poetry and descriptive imagery using the language of textiles eg colour, texture, weight and movement qualities, as described through the eyes of a textile artist. The descriptions of Rose’s all black textile response to Callum’s poem, Basalt, is exceptional. I saw the piece as if it hung on the wall before me. The description of the gold and white piece was similarly evocative and it’s brightness a fitting and highly symbolic balance to the black hanging on the opposite wall.
As with all of Linda’s work, the characterisation was exemplarary, especially the sensitive and realistic description of Rose in a manic phase. I loved the parallel drawn between the manic and creative state, something reinforced by Rose’s creation of a work of art as a way of coping with a major trauma.
Gillard uses different points of view, first and third, well to give different degrees of intimacy to different scenes. I loved the rhythm created by the different lengths of scenes separated by gaps of time, especially during the party where the various snippets give the vague disjointed experience of someone who had drunk just a little too much.
This is, without a doubt, a 5 star work and one that all lovers of contemporary fiction and romance should read. Also if you like symbolism in stories and lots of layers of meaning to unravel, then you’ll love this.
Rose, a textile artist buys a cottage on Uist, a remote Scottish island, and meets Callum, a poet, teacher and the younger brother of her neighbour Shona. Rose wonders why this handsome, charming forty year old is alone. Though there are hints before hand, the truth only comes out in the final chapters where he reveals his scars both physical and mental in some very powerful writing.
The reason for Rose’s breakdown is revealed in scenes of past events. As the story progresses, we discover the full extent of her betrayal by her ex-partner Gavin, and follow her inner journey as she endeavours to cast off his ghost and open herself to the possibility of new love.
This is a multilayered work with a brilliant use of poetry and descriptive imagery using the language of textiles eg colour, texture, weight and movement qualities, as described through the eyes of a textile artist. The descriptions of Rose’s all black textile response to Callum’s poem, Basalt, is exceptional. I saw the piece as if it hung on the wall before me. The description of the gold and white piece was similarly evocative and it’s brightness a fitting and highly symbolic balance to the black hanging on the opposite wall.
As with all of Linda’s work, the characterisation was exemplarary, especially the sensitive and realistic description of Rose in a manic phase. I loved the parallel drawn between the manic and creative state, something reinforced by Rose’s creation of a work of art as a way of coping with a major trauma.
Gillard uses different points of view, first and third, well to give different degrees of intimacy to different scenes. I loved the rhythm created by the different lengths of scenes separated by gaps of time, especially during the party where the various snippets give the vague disjointed experience of someone who had drunk just a little too much.
This is, without a doubt, a 5 star work and one that all lovers of contemporary fiction and romance should read. Also if you like symbolism in stories and lots of layers of meaning to unravel, then you’ll love this.
July 11, 2022
Emotional Geology by Linda Gillard.
This is the third book I have read by this author. Like the others it is immediately engaging, with characters who are believable and rounded. In this book though, Gillard delves much deeper into the dark, troubled chambers of the characters’ psyches. As suggested by the title, this book is about the layers of trauma, the seismic shifts and periods of volcanic turbulence that underlie, warp, fault and sometimes enrich our lives.
Rose is a textile artist who lives with manic depression, which sometimes feeds and sometimes stymies her creativity. She also lives with Gavin, who sometimes supports her and sometimes infuriates her with his reckless obsession with climbing the most dangerous mountains in the world.
The story begins five years after Rose and Gavin have split. Rose has moved to remote but beautiful North Uist to live a simpler, more contained, more creatively fertile life. The reader doesn’t know exactly what caused the final fracture in the couple’s relationship, only that the pain and shock of it drove Rose to the very brink. Now, in recovery, she is resigned to singleness when Calum, a local poet and former mountaineer, comes into her life.
Both Rose and Calum begin to uncover the layers of their grief and trauma, drilling down through the substrata of pain and disappointment. Can they learn to trust again?
This was an intense but very rewarding read. It was much deeper and darker than the other novels by this author I have read but I think it will stay with me for longer.
My only disappointment with it was this. About 70% through the book Calum writes Rose a poem entitled Rose Quartz. There are other poems in the book but we don’t get to read this one and neither does Rose. I wonder why.
This is the third book I have read by this author. Like the others it is immediately engaging, with characters who are believable and rounded. In this book though, Gillard delves much deeper into the dark, troubled chambers of the characters’ psyches. As suggested by the title, this book is about the layers of trauma, the seismic shifts and periods of volcanic turbulence that underlie, warp, fault and sometimes enrich our lives.
Rose is a textile artist who lives with manic depression, which sometimes feeds and sometimes stymies her creativity. She also lives with Gavin, who sometimes supports her and sometimes infuriates her with his reckless obsession with climbing the most dangerous mountains in the world.
The story begins five years after Rose and Gavin have split. Rose has moved to remote but beautiful North Uist to live a simpler, more contained, more creatively fertile life. The reader doesn’t know exactly what caused the final fracture in the couple’s relationship, only that the pain and shock of it drove Rose to the very brink. Now, in recovery, she is resigned to singleness when Calum, a local poet and former mountaineer, comes into her life.
Both Rose and Calum begin to uncover the layers of their grief and trauma, drilling down through the substrata of pain and disappointment. Can they learn to trust again?
This was an intense but very rewarding read. It was much deeper and darker than the other novels by this author I have read but I think it will stay with me for longer.
My only disappointment with it was this. About 70% through the book Calum writes Rose a poem entitled Rose Quartz. There are other poems in the book but we don’t get to read this one and neither does Rose. I wonder why.
March 31, 2011
Months ago I read a wonderful book called Star Gazing. Its author, Linda Gillard, lives on an island off Scotland and I soon became FB friends with her. Recently I learned she had a few copies left of her earlier book, Emotional Geology, so I bought one.
I don't know how many U.S. readers are familiar with Gillard's work, but I would encourage anyone who likes a deep love story (as opposed to what we all call romance) to find either of these books and read them.
Warning though, Emotional Geology is an intense experience. It's the story of Rose Leonard, a woman who has been hospitalized after breaking up with her lover of five years. He has left her for another woman and a less complicated life. Gavin was a mountain climber and Rose remembers how he loved climbing more than her, and how she was left behind to worry herself sick every time he took on another climbing challenge. She has a daughter who was a teenager at the time Gavin lived with them. Megan's point of view is different. She loved Gavin and saw him as her protector and the strong man who took care of her mother. You see, Rose is bipolar which has robbed Megan of her childhood.
Rose moves alone to an island a distance off of Scotland where the weather is harsh but there are no mountains except on a distant island. She is an artist and finds it impossible to work when she takes the dose of medications her doctor has ordered. They make her feel like a zombie. But she can't live without them either, so she tries to live on a smaller dose and pursue her textile art in quiet privacy.
Close neighbors become friends, especially Calum, a man with a past that makes him drink a bit too much. However, he's a poet and he's a successful schoolteacher as well. You can see where this is going. I loved Calum and suffered along with him in his trials and tribulations with Rose's illness. Megan comes for a visit which stirs things up to a boiling point.
The setting is bleak according to Megan, but Rose finds it beautiful. She sees the different colors and textures in the landscape and the sea. Since I'm pretty much of a loner myself, the island and the cottage Rose lives in appealed to me. I did have to put the book aside occasionally; the emotional storm of Rose and Calum's relationship was hard to bear.
In short, I will keep this one and I may even go back to reread it sometime which is something I never, ever do.
I don't know how many U.S. readers are familiar with Gillard's work, but I would encourage anyone who likes a deep love story (as opposed to what we all call romance) to find either of these books and read them.
Warning though, Emotional Geology is an intense experience. It's the story of Rose Leonard, a woman who has been hospitalized after breaking up with her lover of five years. He has left her for another woman and a less complicated life. Gavin was a mountain climber and Rose remembers how he loved climbing more than her, and how she was left behind to worry herself sick every time he took on another climbing challenge. She has a daughter who was a teenager at the time Gavin lived with them. Megan's point of view is different. She loved Gavin and saw him as her protector and the strong man who took care of her mother. You see, Rose is bipolar which has robbed Megan of her childhood.
Rose moves alone to an island a distance off of Scotland where the weather is harsh but there are no mountains except on a distant island. She is an artist and finds it impossible to work when she takes the dose of medications her doctor has ordered. They make her feel like a zombie. But she can't live without them either, so she tries to live on a smaller dose and pursue her textile art in quiet privacy.
Close neighbors become friends, especially Calum, a man with a past that makes him drink a bit too much. However, he's a poet and he's a successful schoolteacher as well. You can see where this is going. I loved Calum and suffered along with him in his trials and tribulations with Rose's illness. Megan comes for a visit which stirs things up to a boiling point.
The setting is bleak according to Megan, but Rose finds it beautiful. She sees the different colors and textures in the landscape and the sea. Since I'm pretty much of a loner myself, the island and the cottage Rose lives in appealed to me. I did have to put the book aside occasionally; the emotional storm of Rose and Calum's relationship was hard to bear.
In short, I will keep this one and I may even go back to reread it sometime which is something I never, ever do.
August 15, 2013
İki yaralı ruh, iki yaralı kalp, iki yaralı zihin...
Rose sevdikleri tarafından ihanete uğraması sonucu büyük bir travma yaşıyor ve ardından yaralarını iyileştirmek için izole bir hayat yaşamak üzere Uist'e taşınıyor..
Calum da sevdiğini kaybetmiş yaralı bir adam... Kendisini yaşayan bir ölü olarak nitelendiriyor.. Ta ki Rose ile karşılaşana kadar...
Calum ve Rose, kendileri için her şeyin bitmiş olduğunu düşündükleri bir anda yeni bir şans yakalıyorlar ve tüm korkularına rağmen bu şansı kullanıyorlar...
Romanda bir bugüne bir geçmişe dönüyoruz ve bu, gizemini korumasını sağlamış.. Bu da kitabı merakla okumama neden oldu çünkü geçmişte neler yaşandığını sonlara doğru öğreniyoruz...
Okuduğum ikinci Linda Gillard romanı.. İlk olarak Yüreğimdeki Aşk Kıvılcımı'nı okumuştum ve bayılmıştım... Bu kitabı da çok sevdim...
Yazarın diğer kitapları da ülkemizde biran önce yayınlanır umarım hiçbirini kaçırmak istemem açıkçası... Duyguları o kadar güzel aktarıyor ki kendinizi karakterlerden ayrı tutamıyorsunuz...
Bence okumadıysanız kesinlikle siz de deneyin ve İskoçya'nın büyülü atmosferinde karakterlerle birlikte duygu yüklü sihirli bir yolculuğa çıkın ;)
Rose sevdikleri tarafından ihanete uğraması sonucu büyük bir travma yaşıyor ve ardından yaralarını iyileştirmek için izole bir hayat yaşamak üzere Uist'e taşınıyor..
Calum da sevdiğini kaybetmiş yaralı bir adam... Kendisini yaşayan bir ölü olarak nitelendiriyor.. Ta ki Rose ile karşılaşana kadar...
Calum ve Rose, kendileri için her şeyin bitmiş olduğunu düşündükleri bir anda yeni bir şans yakalıyorlar ve tüm korkularına rağmen bu şansı kullanıyorlar...
Romanda bir bugüne bir geçmişe dönüyoruz ve bu, gizemini korumasını sağlamış.. Bu da kitabı merakla okumama neden oldu çünkü geçmişte neler yaşandığını sonlara doğru öğreniyoruz...
Okuduğum ikinci Linda Gillard romanı.. İlk olarak Yüreğimdeki Aşk Kıvılcımı'nı okumuştum ve bayılmıştım... Bu kitabı da çok sevdim...
Yazarın diğer kitapları da ülkemizde biran önce yayınlanır umarım hiçbirini kaçırmak istemem açıkçası... Duyguları o kadar güzel aktarıyor ki kendinizi karakterlerden ayrı tutamıyorsunuz...
Bence okumadıysanız kesinlikle siz de deneyin ve İskoçya'nın büyülü atmosferinde karakterlerle birlikte duygu yüklü sihirli bir yolculuğa çıkın ;)
January 12, 2012
I read this tale by Linda Gillard thanks to some impressive bibliovangelizing by Angie at Angieville. I downloaded it onto my Kindle ($.99!) and started reading away.
Rose had a passionate love affair with Gavin that ended badly five years ago. Very badly. And it caused a serious rift with her now-grown daughter, Megan, too. Now she is trying to put her life back together on a remote island of Scotland. She's determined to live a quiet, solitary, and sane life, until she meets the handsome poet next door.
Okay, my description just doesn't do the story justice. There was much to admire in this book. The writing was lovely. I was enchanted with the way the words and sentences flowed and, especially, with the poetry inserted here and there.
Also, the setting was perfect. It's set on the island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The descriptions of the ocean and the bleak but beautiful landscape infused the entire book. And the characters were great. Rose is just crazy enough, and I could not get enough of Calum. He was completely adorable.
But, and this is a major but for me, I could not believe the love story. I could not believe that Calum would put up with all of Rose's baggage. I could not believe that the story ended with the plot point that it did. Gavin just infiltrated the story too much for me. And so, I came away a little unsatisfied. That said, I will likely read more of Gillard's works. She is clearly a gifted writer, and this was still an impressive first novel.
Emotional Geology, by Linda Gillard [rating:3]
P.S. This book reminded me a lot of Rosy Thornton's The Tapestry of Love. So, if you liked that one, you'll likely like this one too.
Rose had a passionate love affair with Gavin that ended badly five years ago. Very badly. And it caused a serious rift with her now-grown daughter, Megan, too. Now she is trying to put her life back together on a remote island of Scotland. She's determined to live a quiet, solitary, and sane life, until she meets the handsome poet next door.
Okay, my description just doesn't do the story justice. There was much to admire in this book. The writing was lovely. I was enchanted with the way the words and sentences flowed and, especially, with the poetry inserted here and there.
Also, the setting was perfect. It's set on the island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The descriptions of the ocean and the bleak but beautiful landscape infused the entire book. And the characters were great. Rose is just crazy enough, and I could not get enough of Calum. He was completely adorable.
But, and this is a major but for me, I could not believe the love story. I could not believe that Calum would put up with all of Rose's baggage. I could not believe that the story ended with the plot point that it did. Gavin just infiltrated the story too much for me. And so, I came away a little unsatisfied. That said, I will likely read more of Gillard's works. She is clearly a gifted writer, and this was still an impressive first novel.
Emotional Geology, by Linda Gillard [rating:3]
P.S. This book reminded me a lot of Rosy Thornton's The Tapestry of Love. So, if you liked that one, you'll likely like this one too.
May 29, 2013
I read this again over the previous 2 days. I loved this book the first time and this time too.
Set on a Scottish Hebridean Island it conjures up the beauty and the bleakness of that windswept place very clearly. It's cold and raining most of the time - which is exactly true.
Everyone seems to drink a lot of whisky - I was beginning to feel left out and wanted one myself as I was reading it.
But best of all are the very believable characters; they are funny, petty, warm, good and bad - pretty standard humans in fact. As a romance it works well for me, you want the would be lovers to get together.
My only doubts were about the descriptions of the 'extreme' climbing fraternity - how most of them died pursuing their obsession - but as I don't know any personally perhaps they really are like that?
Highly recommend this if you've a romantic streak - and who hasn't?
Set on a Scottish Hebridean Island it conjures up the beauty and the bleakness of that windswept place very clearly. It's cold and raining most of the time - which is exactly true.
Everyone seems to drink a lot of whisky - I was beginning to feel left out and wanted one myself as I was reading it.
But best of all are the very believable characters; they are funny, petty, warm, good and bad - pretty standard humans in fact. As a romance it works well for me, you want the would be lovers to get together.
My only doubts were about the descriptions of the 'extreme' climbing fraternity - how most of them died pursuing their obsession - but as I don't know any personally perhaps they really are like that?
Highly recommend this if you've a romantic streak - and who hasn't?
May 26, 2018
Emotional Geology was Linda Gillard's first book and I admit to being drawn to that stunning cover plus the fact that it is set on an island, something I always find appealing. Rose Leonard has bought an old cottage on remote North Uist as she runs from her life. Through flashbacks, her own thoughts and letters to her estranged daughter Megan, we start to understand what has driven Rose to flee her previous life. At the same time, we follow her as she begins to settle into the small community where she is warmly welcomed by Shona whose younger brother, Calum, catches Rose's eye.
Well that stunning cover certain reflects the beautiful writing inside. There is so much gorgeous imagery of land and sea and the natural world. Poetry is an important theme in the book with the title being the name of a book of poetry, Rose being inspired to create by poetry and parts of the book written almost as a poem. The whole book though is written in a very lyrical style which makes it flow so well. There was a part near the beginning which summed up the natural untamed beauty of area for me :
"It's so beautiful here, it makes me ache! Even on a day like this... the space, the scale... Oh I can't describe it!" She lets down a cascade of hair. "And you certainly can't photograph it."
"Aye, you really need a wide angle lens."
She rakes the dunes with narrowed eyes, then stares out to sea. "Actually, I think you need a wide angle mind."
Rose's mind and mental health is another theme of this book as she lives with bi-polar disorder. We see clearly how this affects not just Rose but her family and friends too. They are always on the alert, constantly worried.
At the heart of the book though is perhaps a love story. It's not just about relationships though but about the different kinds of love people can experience and how it affects their lives. There is love between friends, between family, love of mountain-climbing, love of life, and yes romantic love too. Rose has to learn to trust herself to love again and perhaps most importantly to love herself.
Emotional Geology is a beautifully written book about the redemptive power of truth and acceptance and above all the healing power of love. It's a thought-provoking read, deeply moving and full of fascinating characters. I thought it was wonderful.
Well that stunning cover certain reflects the beautiful writing inside. There is so much gorgeous imagery of land and sea and the natural world. Poetry is an important theme in the book with the title being the name of a book of poetry, Rose being inspired to create by poetry and parts of the book written almost as a poem. The whole book though is written in a very lyrical style which makes it flow so well. There was a part near the beginning which summed up the natural untamed beauty of area for me :
"It's so beautiful here, it makes me ache! Even on a day like this... the space, the scale... Oh I can't describe it!" She lets down a cascade of hair. "And you certainly can't photograph it."
"Aye, you really need a wide angle lens."
She rakes the dunes with narrowed eyes, then stares out to sea. "Actually, I think you need a wide angle mind."
Rose's mind and mental health is another theme of this book as she lives with bi-polar disorder. We see clearly how this affects not just Rose but her family and friends too. They are always on the alert, constantly worried.
At the heart of the book though is perhaps a love story. It's not just about relationships though but about the different kinds of love people can experience and how it affects their lives. There is love between friends, between family, love of mountain-climbing, love of life, and yes romantic love too. Rose has to learn to trust herself to love again and perhaps most importantly to love herself.
Emotional Geology is a beautifully written book about the redemptive power of truth and acceptance and above all the healing power of love. It's a thought-provoking read, deeply moving and full of fascinating characters. I thought it was wonderful.
May 20, 2017
I loved this book! Wonderful, and wonderfully flawed characters. Elegant writing, excellent story structure and perfect pacing kept me reading late into the evening. This is the second book by Gillard that I've read, and I'm looking forward to reading more books by her in the future. Highly recommended!
September 23, 2010
In an attempt to leave her home, her family, her friends and all she’s ever known behind, Rose Leonard wakes up to the sounds of the sea and wind on the small, desolate Scottish isle of North Uist. Perhaps getting this far away is the only way she can stay sane, stay healthy, and focus on her need to create with minimal medication. She isn’t lonely yet; in fact she has already befriended the watchful and caring neighboring family. Shona McAskill, her congenial drinking husband Donald and her brood of “bairns” are not the type she worries about. It’s love of a less platonic kind that she’s vowed to steer clear from, and being well into her forties Rose believes it’s for the best. Shona’s younger, dark and blue-eyed brother Calum with his pseudo-intellectual ways and climber’s body couldn’t change that, could he? As their friendship begins to grow and her estranged daughter Megan arrives for an extended visit Rose quickly finds that her plan for putting her troubled past behind her may not be so infallible after all.
How to describe this beautiful, haunting book – which satisfied everything I thought I needed and more. A book which enveloped me for two days until I’d read its last page. For one I found its blend of atmospheric setting and lyrical, poetic writing completely intoxicating and different than anything I’ve read. The contrastingly barren and rocky landscape of Uist, Skye, and the tiny remote islands of western Scotland seem to be something I experienced without ever being there. Similarly while reading Emotional Geology I felt like I was occupying a part of Rose’s bipolar mind. There’s more to Calum than meets the eye and watching them bond for life over her textile art and his despairing poetry is thrilling. Beyond the lush writing I was perfectly content for my reading experience to solely revolve around these two complex and damaged characters. Although the exploration of weighty issues such as mental illness, grief, regret, heartache, and betrayal are prominent, humor and sweet exchanges sprinkled throughout the story keep you from drowning in them. The alternating first and third person between real-time and flashback was also smart as it maintained a constant suspense as well as keeping the dark and light balanced. Beyond the relationships and psychological battles some of my favorite scenes involved Shona’s children or Calum’s students. One that stands out is the time Calum asks his students to explain the reasons behind their daily 5-10 minute free writes to Rose:
Isn’t that incredibly sweet? This is one of several passages that made my face light up. Then there are the times when Rose waxes poetic, and there’s an entire poem to soak up. Or when her artist side is ignited by a spark from humanity or nature and we become part of the astounding and unpredictable creative process. It’s exhilarating and I loved this aspect of a book ultimately about the recesses of the mind. But in the end it all comes down to Rose and Calum and wanting very badly for them to find happiness you can’t help but fall in love with them too. Overall Emotional Geology is a deeply moving, introspective novel about nature, art, writing, living and love that will stick with you for a long time. Now if there was some way to help Linda Gillard get it picked up by a U.S. publisher I would be more than happy to help.
How to describe this beautiful, haunting book – which satisfied everything I thought I needed and more. A book which enveloped me for two days until I’d read its last page. For one I found its blend of atmospheric setting and lyrical, poetic writing completely intoxicating and different than anything I’ve read. The contrastingly barren and rocky landscape of Uist, Skye, and the tiny remote islands of western Scotland seem to be something I experienced without ever being there. Similarly while reading Emotional Geology I felt like I was occupying a part of Rose’s bipolar mind. There’s more to Calum than meets the eye and watching them bond for life over her textile art and his despairing poetry is thrilling. Beyond the lush writing I was perfectly content for my reading experience to solely revolve around these two complex and damaged characters. Although the exploration of weighty issues such as mental illness, grief, regret, heartache, and betrayal are prominent, humor and sweet exchanges sprinkled throughout the story keep you from drowning in them. The alternating first and third person between real-time and flashback was also smart as it maintained a constant suspense as well as keeping the dark and light balanced. Beyond the relationships and psychological battles some of my favorite scenes involved Shona’s children or Calum’s students. One that stands out is the time Calum asks his students to explain the reasons behind their daily 5-10 minute free writes to Rose:
“…And why do we engage in this exhausting activity? Alex?
“It’s a warm-up, sir. It develops our writing muscles.”
“Indeed it does. And it’s a great way of tapping into the subconscious where all your best ideas live. You get down to the bare bones of your thoughts and you can write without all the usual inhibitions. What happens to these timed writings? Ken?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“Explain, Kenny, for our visitor’s benefit. Do we mark them?”
“No, sir, because they’re private. We can keep them or we can bin them.”
“But sometimes we use them, Miss,” Mairi pipes up again, her face shining. “We use them for poems and stories. They’re our raw material.”
Isn’t that incredibly sweet? This is one of several passages that made my face light up. Then there are the times when Rose waxes poetic, and there’s an entire poem to soak up. Or when her artist side is ignited by a spark from humanity or nature and we become part of the astounding and unpredictable creative process. It’s exhilarating and I loved this aspect of a book ultimately about the recesses of the mind. But in the end it all comes down to Rose and Calum and wanting very badly for them to find happiness you can’t help but fall in love with them too. Overall Emotional Geology is a deeply moving, introspective novel about nature, art, writing, living and love that will stick with you for a long time. Now if there was some way to help Linda Gillard get it picked up by a U.S. publisher I would be more than happy to help.
February 22, 2022
This book is exquisite. It has poetry, drama, geology, family relationships, love, loss and the fresh air of Scottish Island life blowing through it. The characters are deep and believable, the descriptions transport you and I loved it. I wish I had read it years ago.
January 27, 2013
Rose Leonard has just moved to North Uist, an island off the North of Scotland, in search of some peace in her life. She hopes the slow pace and emptiness of the island will allow her to concentrate on her art and will do her mental health good. Rose is bipolar, and she's still recovering from a chaotic ending to a stormy relationship.
In North Uist, she not only finds a community she quickly becomes part of, but a man who weakens her determination to stay away from relationships.
I enjoyed this one very much. What I liked best about it was its treatment of Rose's mental health. For starters, when a book's protagonist has such issues, the book tends to be all about them, all about the character's struggles to deal with whatever they are. But here, Rose's bipolar disorder is not really front and centre. It's certainly important in Rose's life (I mean, it's the reason behind the change in her life that brings her to North Uist), but she's made peace with her condition. She understands and accepts herself, and is quite natural about disclosing she's bipolar and what that means to her. The story is not about her struggling with her mental health issues, but about her moving beyond a very important relationship in her life that has ended a few years earlier, and reaching for happiness, in a way that is right for her, and contemplates her mental health needs.
Also, I liked that a happy ending for her is not about true love curing her bipolar disorder, or even making it better. It's about her finding love with someone who accepts her as she is, doesn't want to change her and understands what being with her entails:
It's a book that feels literary in its style (and Gillard does some interesting things with point of view, which sort of swirls around), but it's one that fits in the romance genre, and will be satisfying to romance readers (it's more a hopeful than a full-blown HEA, but that's fine by me). I especially appreciated having more mature characters. Rose is in her50s late 40s and Colin about a decade younger, and they acted like proper grown-ups.
I also liked lots of other elements, the setting (there's a strong sense of community, and life on the island is fascinating), Rose's work, Calum's poetry, the secondary characters. A solidly enjoyable story.
MY GRADE: A B.
In North Uist, she not only finds a community she quickly becomes part of, but a man who weakens her determination to stay away from relationships.
I enjoyed this one very much. What I liked best about it was its treatment of Rose's mental health. For starters, when a book's protagonist has such issues, the book tends to be all about them, all about the character's struggles to deal with whatever they are. But here, Rose's bipolar disorder is not really front and centre. It's certainly important in Rose's life (I mean, it's the reason behind the change in her life that brings her to North Uist), but she's made peace with her condition. She understands and accepts herself, and is quite natural about disclosing she's bipolar and what that means to her. The story is not about her struggling with her mental health issues, but about her moving beyond a very important relationship in her life that has ended a few years earlier, and reaching for happiness, in a way that is right for her, and contemplates her mental health needs.
Also, I liked that a happy ending for her is not about true love curing her bipolar disorder, or even making it better. It's about her finding love with someone who accepts her as she is, doesn't want to change her and understands what being with her entails:
"Don't joke about it, Calum -it wears people out! It wears them down. All my friends walked away."I accept that Calum does come across as a bit too good to be true. He's just lovely from the very first, takes one look at Rose and makes his interest clear, never looks at anyone but her, and takes her mental health issues completely in his stride. But as the book goes on, you realise he's got his own problems, and that he's getting the same love and acceptance from Rose as she's getting from him.
"What wears folk out is the wanting, Rose - wanting things to be different. Better. I don't want that. I don't want to change you. I don't want you "cured". I love you the way you are. It won't wear me out. I know there's a price to be paid for what I want. Maybe it's a high price, but I'm prepared to pay it. Seems like a bargain to me."
It's a book that feels literary in its style (and Gillard does some interesting things with point of view, which sort of swirls around), but it's one that fits in the romance genre, and will be satisfying to romance readers (it's more a hopeful than a full-blown HEA, but that's fine by me). I especially appreciated having more mature characters. Rose is in her
I also liked lots of other elements, the setting (there's a strong sense of community, and life on the island is fascinating), Rose's work, Calum's poetry, the secondary characters. A solidly enjoyable story.
MY GRADE: A B.
December 1, 2012
This book had so much promise for me - a beautiful Hebridean setting, a love story so drenched in the creativity of the two lovers, the fact that they are two grown-ups. This is is a novel with warmth, empathy and heart. I am loving what I've started to call for myself 'ScotLit' (sorry) - wonderful novels in which the power of the Scottish landscape is almost as much a protagonist as the characters, and which are mature and full of insight.
However, my reservation about this one is that it seemed to have too much of everything, and I ended up fearing for the central relationship rather than rejoicing in it. It is brave and enlightening to show us so much of the challenges of bipolar disorder for Rose and her courage in trying to overcome and channel it into her creative soul. But this was about two such creative spirits, both with different wagonloads of baggage - such an explosive mixture that I couldn't believe in a happy ending and I didn't want to think of a sad one. It seemed like a future built on shifting sands. Somehow I wanted to believe that Rose was not jumping from frying pan into fire, but couldn't pull it off. But I read it to the end, and I've just given you the evidence that it fully engaged me.
What this novel has done, though, is make me want to read more by Linda Gillard - if her other novels have the emotional warmth and authenticity of this one I know I'll enjoy them.
However, my reservation about this one is that it seemed to have too much of everything, and I ended up fearing for the central relationship rather than rejoicing in it. It is brave and enlightening to show us so much of the challenges of bipolar disorder for Rose and her courage in trying to overcome and channel it into her creative soul. But this was about two such creative spirits, both with different wagonloads of baggage - such an explosive mixture that I couldn't believe in a happy ending and I didn't want to think of a sad one. It seemed like a future built on shifting sands. Somehow I wanted to believe that Rose was not jumping from frying pan into fire, but couldn't pull it off. But I read it to the end, and I've just given you the evidence that it fully engaged me.
What this novel has done, though, is make me want to read more by Linda Gillard - if her other novels have the emotional warmth and authenticity of this one I know I'll enjoy them.
November 3, 2013
It doesn't seem quite right to list this wonderful and sensitive book under just general fiction as Ms Gillard shows such insight into matters of mental illness and quite simply human frailty. In this it is a beautiful novel touching on real life and the extremes of anguish which are sometimes suffered. However don't think from this that it is a depressing novel, it certainly is not. It is actually uplifting, a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Other reviewers have outlined the story so I will not repeat that here but what I would like to say is this...you know when a poem or a painting touches you so deeply that words do not really suffice your emotion or reaction? Well that is how I felt reading this book. I love both art and poetry anyway and also working with textiles so the skills of the two main characters made me want to read this book. However it is Ms Gillard's wonderful way of writing that is almost poetic in itself and the images she conjures up are deeply moving at times.
These moments are wrapped into the story of two people who meet in the most beautiful, if remote, of locations which also appealed greatly to me and the human element of their developing relationship brings the poetic illusion of the story to "earth" so to speak so you end up with a beautiful mix of a story of real life touched by the highs and lows of human emotion...."Emotional Geology" is such a clever and appropriate title.
These moments are wrapped into the story of two people who meet in the most beautiful, if remote, of locations which also appealed greatly to me and the human element of their developing relationship brings the poetic illusion of the story to "earth" so to speak so you end up with a beautiful mix of a story of real life touched by the highs and lows of human emotion...."Emotional Geology" is such a clever and appropriate title.
September 2, 2016
Linda Gillard's Emotional Geology is an incredible debut. The paths of a bipolar mother haunted by her dead husband who was no gem, their daughter dealing with her own guilt, and a Scotsman with his own buried pain are intricately woven together and lead you to discoveries you do not expect. Gillard even manages to throw in bits of humor to lighten things up along the way.
This non-linear read jumps around a lot. Sometimes that bothers me in a book, but not with this one. I think that's because the jumps from present to past were brief and parallel in nature so I could easily adjust back and forth. My only criticism is, as an American, there were some Scottish words I did not understand, but that did not keep me from following the story. The dialogue only hints skillfully at dialect and was not a distraction.
Somewhere I read the Gillard said that many people want to read the book again after finishing it. Because the reader does not learn all the backstory of one of the characters until the end, I plan on going back through the book to see how much difference that knowledge makes.
I enjoy books that delve into the psychology of the characters and this one definitely did. Emotional Geology is the first of Gillard's books I've read. I'll definitely be reading more.
This non-linear read jumps around a lot. Sometimes that bothers me in a book, but not with this one. I think that's because the jumps from present to past were brief and parallel in nature so I could easily adjust back and forth. My only criticism is, as an American, there were some Scottish words I did not understand, but that did not keep me from following the story. The dialogue only hints skillfully at dialect and was not a distraction.
Somewhere I read the Gillard said that many people want to read the book again after finishing it. Because the reader does not learn all the backstory of one of the characters until the end, I plan on going back through the book to see how much difference that knowledge makes.
I enjoy books that delve into the psychology of the characters and this one definitely did. Emotional Geology is the first of Gillard's books I've read. I'll definitely be reading more.
May 12, 2010
This is the third book by Linda Gillard and it is my favourite. 'Emotional Geology' was a powerful story which I related to in so many ways, Rose was a memorable and excellent character and very complex, I liked how Linda Gillard did not label her, yes Rose suffers from bi-polar but it is not the main aspect of Rose, everything about Rose was explained in a clear and caring manner, with understanding. Calum was also a excellent character, like Rose he had his own issues, I thought it was realistic that Linda Gillard showed that everyone in their own ways have issues and the reasons for them.
I found 'Emotional Geology' to be a refreshing read, it was not just about a woman with bi-polar, it was about a creative, wonderful person who has been there and trying to find the other side.
I found 'Emotional Geology' to be a refreshing read, it was not just about a woman with bi-polar, it was about a creative, wonderful person who has been there and trying to find the other side.
April 25, 2013
This is the first time in my life I have read a book in just one day!
I really only bought this book because a photographer friend of mine took the beautiful photograph which is the cover. I had it on my "to read" list for quite a long time before I finally got round to it, because to be honest I thought the subject matter sounded a little depressing. How wrong I was!
The writing is beautiful and the characters so well portrayed. The style is somewhat unusual in that the book shifts from past to present, from first to third person narrative and I thought this worked wonderfully well.
I won't describe the plot except to say it has some lovely twists and turns and some very emotional parts.
I am sure this is a book I will read again one day.
I really only bought this book because a photographer friend of mine took the beautiful photograph which is the cover. I had it on my "to read" list for quite a long time before I finally got round to it, because to be honest I thought the subject matter sounded a little depressing. How wrong I was!
The writing is beautiful and the characters so well portrayed. The style is somewhat unusual in that the book shifts from past to present, from first to third person narrative and I thought this worked wonderfully well.
I won't describe the plot except to say it has some lovely twists and turns and some very emotional parts.
I am sure this is a book I will read again one day.
July 18, 2013
This is Linda Gillard's first book and it is amazing! Set on a bleak but beautiful island in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, textile artist Rose suffers from bipolar disorder and has moved to this remote location to simplify her life and try to heal. She meets Calum, a teacher and poet who has moved back to his childhood home to exorcise demons of his own. This book is beautifully written and expertly plotted and it is a true page turner--as the relationship between the two unfolds, so much is revealed that I did not see coming. Gillard writes about topics like mental health issues, textile art, poetry, and mountain climbing so expertly that I learned new things about them all. I'm looking forward to reading her other books.
August 11, 2009
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/4...
I was expecting great things from this book, because of all the good reports I have been reading about Transita authors recently! Well it certainly met my expectations. Well written, easy to read and in the authors own words 'intelligent romance for mature women.'
It is a love story but a haunting one. Set in a beautiful location which the author brings to life on the printed page. Poetic, artistic and informative. Linda Gillard writes knowledgably on the subjects she includes in the story from needlework to mountaineering.
Highly recommended and I will certainly read more of her work.
I was expecting great things from this book, because of all the good reports I have been reading about Transita authors recently! Well it certainly met my expectations. Well written, easy to read and in the authors own words 'intelligent romance for mature women.'
It is a love story but a haunting one. Set in a beautiful location which the author brings to life on the printed page. Poetic, artistic and informative. Linda Gillard writes knowledgably on the subjects she includes in the story from needlework to mountaineering.
Highly recommended and I will certainly read more of her work.
October 31, 2011
I liked the sound of this novel, but the publisher blurb about books for 'mature women' unnerved me a bit. I wasn't sure if I wanted to count myself as that quite yet! But no fear, this is simply a really good book. Every box was ticked - plot, characters, setting. A perfect balance of thought and feeling. People who acted in a way that made sense, to me as a reader at least, if not always to themselves. I loved where the characters lived and the things that drove them. This is the sort of book that can so easily be overlooked. I'm so pleased I didn't miss it - straight up into the top reads of this year for me!
March 10, 2013
A lovely book which captured me completely sensitively written .
January 27, 2014
It was not my intention to forfeit sleep, but I simply could not put this one down. I did try. Beautiful. Telling. Affecting. Affirming. Just wonderful.
February 20, 2024
Eu não estava à espera de gostar do livro tanto quanto gostei mas a verdade é que só a partir de meio é que se começa a entender a profundeza da história e da mensagem do livro.
As mudanças de pov são o maior reflexo da mente dela e compreendo o seu sentido por completo agora.
Gostava que me tivesse prendido assim desde o início mas acho que o livro está muito mais pela sua profundidade do que intensidade e por isso é calma e caótica ao mesmo tempo.
O livro é todo um misto de emoções, mil opiniões e outras tantas sensações.
Vale investir numa leitura atenta e seguida. Não considero que seja um livro que se possa ler aleatoriamente e em alturas distantes, tem de haver uma espécie de envolvencia na história para o livro nos mostrar o que realmente é.
Fiquei surpreendida pela positiva.
É um bom livro.
As mudanças de pov são o maior reflexo da mente dela e compreendo o seu sentido por completo agora.
Gostava que me tivesse prendido assim desde o início mas acho que o livro está muito mais pela sua profundidade do que intensidade e por isso é calma e caótica ao mesmo tempo.
O livro é todo um misto de emoções, mil opiniões e outras tantas sensações.
Vale investir numa leitura atenta e seguida. Não considero que seja um livro que se possa ler aleatoriamente e em alturas distantes, tem de haver uma espécie de envolvencia na história para o livro nos mostrar o que realmente é.
Fiquei surpreendida pela positiva.
É um bom livro.
October 3, 2017
I shouldn’t like this book: it’s a love story and I am a cynical bloke that detests sentimentality.
But I loved it. I loved the setting on Uist in the Hebrides; I loved the structure with its varying points of view; I loved the themes especially the interplay between poetry and textile art; I loved the way we gradually learned more about the two main characters, including Rose’s bipolar condition and the reason Calum drank so much; I loved the interspersing of poems and letters and the lyrical language of the writing. It’s a beautiful story ... and I have rarely said that about any novel.
Now to find more of Linda Gillard’s books.
But I loved it. I loved the setting on Uist in the Hebrides; I loved the structure with its varying points of view; I loved the themes especially the interplay between poetry and textile art; I loved the way we gradually learned more about the two main characters, including Rose’s bipolar condition and the reason Calum drank so much; I loved the interspersing of poems and letters and the lyrical language of the writing. It’s a beautiful story ... and I have rarely said that about any novel.
Now to find more of Linda Gillard’s books.
March 18, 2021
I loved Star Gazing by the same author and have read it more than once. Finally got a copy of this to read.
There are some powerful themes of love and loss in this book and how to live to the other side of them! I especially love the textiles and quilting themes and how stitching and creativity can help you cope with loss....that’s what the book said to me. As someone who has stitched to overcome loss...this part especially spoke to me.
There are some powerful themes of love and loss in this book and how to live to the other side of them! I especially love the textiles and quilting themes and how stitching and creativity can help you cope with loss....that’s what the book said to me. As someone who has stitched to overcome loss...this part especially spoke to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2020
TRULY FASCINATING!!! Love that story, it was soo deep. Really feel the pain with the main character of the book. It’s depressing but in a good way. Linda Gillard you are an amazing author!!! It’s so bad but people never miss the water till the well runs dry.
February 22, 2020
Loved this book so much. Wished I was her.
December 23, 2021
A novel dependent on its landscape
I enjoyed the character development of the protagonist in this book, especially with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.The title linked in to geology, which seemed of less significance in the novel than other subjects, namely climbing and textile artr, and any technical terms were used more as a garnish than the substance of the text. Characterisation of the landscape was important and handled well, but some of the accessory characters lacked depth.
I enjoyed the character development of the protagonist in this book, especially with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.The title linked in to geology, which seemed of less significance in the novel than other subjects, namely climbing and textile artr, and any technical terms were used more as a garnish than the substance of the text. Characterisation of the landscape was important and handled well, but some of the accessory characters lacked depth.
October 26, 2017
Emotional Geology is one of my all-time favourite books. It's a love story, but not a typical one, the main character is in her forties and suffers with bipolar disorder and the man she meets is younger than her.
The Scottish landscape is a huge part of the story too and if it doesn't make you want to explore the islands then there's something wrong with you ;-)
Altogther brilliant.
The Scottish landscape is a huge part of the story too and if it doesn't make you want to explore the islands then there's something wrong with you ;-)
Altogther brilliant.
December 21, 2024
"Rose Leonard is on the run from her life.
"Taking refuge in a remote island community, she cocoons herself in work, silence and solitude in a house by the sea. But she is haunted by her past, by memories and desires she'd hoped were long dead.
"Rose must decide whether she has in fact chosen a new life or just a different kind of death. Life and love are offered by new friends, her lonely daughter, and most of all Calum, a fragile younger man who has his own demons to exorcise.
"But does Rose, with her tenuous hold on life and sanity, have the courage to say yes to life and put her past behind her?"
~~back cover
This book just grabbed me and drew me in so that I felt I was part of the story, although a silent onlooker. I identified so much with Rose: having once loved a completely impossible man, and for having closed myself off when I finally managed to disentangle myself. I identified with her inability to connect with her daughter, despite desperately wanting to. I felt the stark beauty of Uist, and wish I could spend some time there. And I felt the charm and endurance of the people living there.
This is a book I will remember for a long time.
"Taking refuge in a remote island community, she cocoons herself in work, silence and solitude in a house by the sea. But she is haunted by her past, by memories and desires she'd hoped were long dead.
"Rose must decide whether she has in fact chosen a new life or just a different kind of death. Life and love are offered by new friends, her lonely daughter, and most of all Calum, a fragile younger man who has his own demons to exorcise.
"But does Rose, with her tenuous hold on life and sanity, have the courage to say yes to life and put her past behind her?"
~~back cover
This book just grabbed me and drew me in so that I felt I was part of the story, although a silent onlooker. I identified so much with Rose: having once loved a completely impossible man, and for having closed myself off when I finally managed to disentangle myself. I identified with her inability to connect with her daughter, despite desperately wanting to. I felt the stark beauty of Uist, and wish I could spend some time there. And I felt the charm and endurance of the people living there.
This is a book I will remember for a long time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews