What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wicker Man Preservation Society
On the tiny Hebridean island of Ensay, the girl who will end the world is about to turn sixteen. As the chosen acolyte of a wicker man cult, Eleanor has a sacred duty to select the next sacrifice, give him her virginity, and watch him die.
But until the end of the world, she’s also got to serve tea and cake to visitors to the island’s only hotel. When the arrival of a new guest opens her to unconsidered possibilities, she questions everything she’s been told about her community, and a cage of deceit collapses into the flames.
The author of Singular and Good Witch invests this unique coming-of-age story with sparkling wit and characters that will break your heart.
But until the end of the world, she’s also got to serve tea and cake to visitors to the island’s only hotel. When the arrival of a new guest opens her to unconsidered possibilities, she questions everything she’s been told about her community, and a cage of deceit collapses into the flames.
The author of Singular and Good Witch invests this unique coming-of-age story with sparkling wit and characters that will break your heart.
- GenresFiction
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2021
6 people are currently reading
2004 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 21, 2022
Fantastic story line!! The writing is incredible and the premise of story is intriguing and as it unfolds it grows into terrifying and brutal. I couldn't put this one down! The structure of Porteous' writing of this book is astounding, the outcome, no spoilers - but you will be floored. Sometimes I found myself laughing out loud, some truly funny dialogue, at others astounded at the brutality. It was an exciting read, from a brillant mind and very talented author. I just downloaded everything he's written. I noted, once finished I was surprised it was written by a man, as the relationships between the women involved were so insightful! A 5 star read by all means!
July 4, 2021
Good fun. Extremely readable, surprising, funny, and strange in just about the right ratio. Recommended.
July 29, 2023
I stumbled onto this book by accident -- I was looking up the novelization for the 1970s horror movie The Wicker Man, and this book came up in the Goodreads search results. But the premise seemed like a fresh new take on that film's premise, and I decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately, I feel let down by it. And while I admit some of that is my own fault, the book just isn't that good. Not awful, but not good.
Eleanor lives on a remote island in the Hebrides off the coast of Scotland, a shut-in who helps her mother run the hotel that's the island's lifeblood. She knows that once she turns sixteen, she'll be expected to take a lover... and that lover will be closed up in a wicker man and set aflame, a sacrifice to usher in the apocalypse. She feels she's accepted her role... until a young man arrives on the island and begins to challenge her views of the world. And even as she finds herself falling for him, she begins to uncover secrets about the island that will split her world apart.
The premise sounds fascinating -- a girl raised as an acolyte of a feminist doomsday cult who starts to look for an avenue out. Unfortunately, said cult and the wicker man of the title barely factor into the plot. Yes, there are occasional mentions of the leaders of the sect wearing black robes and meeting to discuss things, but for the most part their worship and the wicker man are shoved deep into the background. Instead, most of the book is taken up with Eleanor taking care of domestic chores around the hotel, serving guests, making obnoxious banter with her new beau, and monologuing to herself about topics barely related to the story at hand.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this book could have been shorter by a third if the author had cut Eleanor's ramblings out. Some of her internal monologues are necessary to further the plot -- her musing about the identity of her father, for example -- but most of it feels wholly unnecessary.
Also, if you go into this expecting any kind of suspense a la The Wicker Man, you'll be sorely disappointed. Despite the title being a call-back of sorts to the film, this isn't a horror or suspense novel at all, but more of a mystery novel. Even then, the reader isn't even aware there's a mystery afoot until about two-thirds of the way through the novel, and only because other characters drop blatant clues into Eleanor's lap. This mystery does have some interesting implications for the story, but comes across as too little, too late.
Also a warning to the readers -- there's an instance of graphic child abuse in this story, and it's heavily implied that it's happened multiple times before. Reader discretion is advised.
Maybe the problem lies with me for going into this book expecting something akin to The Wicker Man. And in all honesty, this book is still better than the shitty Wicker Man remake with Nicholas Cage. But it was more boring than any book about a human-sacrifice doomsday could had any right to be.
Eleanor lives on a remote island in the Hebrides off the coast of Scotland, a shut-in who helps her mother run the hotel that's the island's lifeblood. She knows that once she turns sixteen, she'll be expected to take a lover... and that lover will be closed up in a wicker man and set aflame, a sacrifice to usher in the apocalypse. She feels she's accepted her role... until a young man arrives on the island and begins to challenge her views of the world. And even as she finds herself falling for him, she begins to uncover secrets about the island that will split her world apart.
The premise sounds fascinating -- a girl raised as an acolyte of a feminist doomsday cult who starts to look for an avenue out. Unfortunately, said cult and the wicker man of the title barely factor into the plot. Yes, there are occasional mentions of the leaders of the sect wearing black robes and meeting to discuss things, but for the most part their worship and the wicker man are shoved deep into the background. Instead, most of the book is taken up with Eleanor taking care of domestic chores around the hotel, serving guests, making obnoxious banter with her new beau, and monologuing to herself about topics barely related to the story at hand.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this book could have been shorter by a third if the author had cut Eleanor's ramblings out. Some of her internal monologues are necessary to further the plot -- her musing about the identity of her father, for example -- but most of it feels wholly unnecessary.
Also, if you go into this expecting any kind of suspense a la The Wicker Man, you'll be sorely disappointed. Despite the title being a call-back of sorts to the film, this isn't a horror or suspense novel at all, but more of a mystery novel. Even then, the reader isn't even aware there's a mystery afoot until about two-thirds of the way through the novel, and only because other characters drop blatant clues into Eleanor's lap. This mystery does have some interesting implications for the story, but comes across as too little, too late.
Also a warning to the readers -- there's an instance of graphic child abuse in this story, and it's heavily implied that it's happened multiple times before. Reader discretion is advised.
Maybe the problem lies with me for going into this book expecting something akin to The Wicker Man. And in all honesty, this book is still better than the shitty Wicker Man remake with Nicholas Cage. But it was more boring than any book about a human-sacrifice doomsday could had any right to be.
December 29, 2023
"Seventy years ago, no one would have recognised LOCAL CHARM as a valuable commodity; they'd have mislabelled it as grim poverty and polio."
Chapter One, The Wickerman Preservation Society by David F. Porteous
And once again, I wish there were more than five stars because this book is incredible. Set in the Western Isles, the story follows Eleanor, a very-nearly sixteen year old girl who has never known anything beyond the small hotel and tearoom she helps her mother to run. But since her early childhood, Eleanor has known she is the acolyte, entrusted with a sacred duty to select the next sacrifice and to watch him burn. Also, if she could take his name and have his baby, that would be perfect.
"The island of Ensay is home to four-hundred-and-seven people, and I know all of them. I know their faces and their names. I know them by the way they speak. I even know how they like their tea.
"My mum says that the island is like a family. That there is no place on the mainland where everyone knows everyone else. And sometimes I wonder what it would be like to make it through a day without being asked—
"'Eleanor, my flower, how are you?'
"'I'm very well, thank you, Missus Macleod,' I reply, hoping that this will be enough, knowing that it never is.
"'And how,' Mrs. Macleod asks, 'is your condition?' Her eyes are watery. Her hand touches my elbow as I lean down to put the tray on the table. The cups rattle.
"'The same as always, Missus Macleod,' I say — because it's true. 'It's very kind of you to enquire.'
"She pats me, like you might pat an old dog, and I move the teapot, the strainer, the cups, the matching milk jug, and the sugar bowl from the tray to the table.
"'You're a good hand to your mother,' says Mrs. Arbuthnot. This is high praise from a mother of five daughters who all grew up and left the island to live in foreign places — Glasgow and Birmingham, and one as far as London. Nevertheless, it is praise that could also be won by a spaniel that's learned to fetch its own lead."
Chapter One, The Wicker Man Preservation Society by David F. Porteous
I loved the juxtaposition of hospitality and the tourism industry set against intrigue, suspense and impending human sacrifice. I highlighted something on nearly every page. I laughed like there was something wrong with me. I was moved to tears more than once. I have found a new favourite writer, so brace yourselves for a lot of David F. Porteous in this blog. Awesome. A truly terrific read.
Chapter One, The Wickerman Preservation Society by David F. Porteous
And once again, I wish there were more than five stars because this book is incredible. Set in the Western Isles, the story follows Eleanor, a very-nearly sixteen year old girl who has never known anything beyond the small hotel and tearoom she helps her mother to run. But since her early childhood, Eleanor has known she is the acolyte, entrusted with a sacred duty to select the next sacrifice and to watch him burn. Also, if she could take his name and have his baby, that would be perfect.
"The island of Ensay is home to four-hundred-and-seven people, and I know all of them. I know their faces and their names. I know them by the way they speak. I even know how they like their tea.
"My mum says that the island is like a family. That there is no place on the mainland where everyone knows everyone else. And sometimes I wonder what it would be like to make it through a day without being asked—
"'Eleanor, my flower, how are you?'
"'I'm very well, thank you, Missus Macleod,' I reply, hoping that this will be enough, knowing that it never is.
"'And how,' Mrs. Macleod asks, 'is your condition?' Her eyes are watery. Her hand touches my elbow as I lean down to put the tray on the table. The cups rattle.
"'The same as always, Missus Macleod,' I say — because it's true. 'It's very kind of you to enquire.'
"She pats me, like you might pat an old dog, and I move the teapot, the strainer, the cups, the matching milk jug, and the sugar bowl from the tray to the table.
"'You're a good hand to your mother,' says Mrs. Arbuthnot. This is high praise from a mother of five daughters who all grew up and left the island to live in foreign places — Glasgow and Birmingham, and one as far as London. Nevertheless, it is praise that could also be won by a spaniel that's learned to fetch its own lead."
Chapter One, The Wicker Man Preservation Society by David F. Porteous
I loved the juxtaposition of hospitality and the tourism industry set against intrigue, suspense and impending human sacrifice. I highlighted something on nearly every page. I laughed like there was something wrong with me. I was moved to tears more than once. I have found a new favourite writer, so brace yourselves for a lot of David F. Porteous in this blog. Awesome. A truly terrific read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2023
Eleanor lives on a remote Scottish island and never leaves the hotel where she works with her mum. When she reaches 16, she has to choose a man to have sex with before condemning him to being burnt alive in a wicker man.
The title enticed me to download this freebie from KU.
The story started well and held my interest. From about half way it loses the plot and doesn't really know where it's going. I believe it would have been more enjoyable if it stuck to the one or two themes it started with.
The ending felt rushed and confused with sudden new characters. A shame as it seemed to drift away and become just another ordinary 'rite of passage' novel.
The title enticed me to download this freebie from KU.
The story started well and held my interest. From about half way it loses the plot and doesn't really know where it's going. I believe it would have been more enjoyable if it stuck to the one or two themes it started with.
The ending felt rushed and confused with sudden new characters. A shame as it seemed to drift away and become just another ordinary 'rite of passage' novel.
August 2, 2021
I had the honor of proofreading this book for my friend and it's a great story. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It is a beautiful coming of age story full of humor and heartbreak. I think you will really enjoy it.
I have a content warning for readers, there is an abuse scene in this book that I found unsettling, but it otherwise did not detract from the overall story.
I have a content warning for readers, there is an abuse scene in this book that I found unsettling, but it otherwise did not detract from the overall story.
August 2, 2023
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I loved this book. Fantastic main character. I loved the setting of a familiar world. I even loved the end. Would read again.
I loved this book. Fantastic main character. I loved the setting of a familiar world. I even loved the end. Would read again.
February 9, 2025
The plot of a thriller, but without the suspense. Until the very end which then was confusing and rushed. I also couldn’t handle all the ramblings of the main character and all the long descriptions of her day to day mundane tasks.
July 5, 2021
I think I've now read all of this author's books. Beautifully written with amazing attention to detail. He takes his time to build a world you can almost kick, taste and smell. Nice.
July 5, 2021
Such a brilliant, witty, twisting plot. One of the best books I've read this year.
March 14, 2022
This is a book which keeps surprising you in the best possible way. Wonderfully written, at times laugh out loud funny, and definitely hard to put down.
December 19, 2024
What a complete surprise. This book was not at all what I expected. Eleanor was startlingly sophisticated for a shut in but I chalk that up to being raised in a hotel. Connor was a bit too mature for an 18 year old but I can overlook that. I enjoyed the writing even if it did get a bit long winded. My only real complaint is the lack of closure in the end.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews