The Faultline

by John McLellan

We all know sometimes there is a particular moment in time or a place, where you look back and think “that made me who I am”.

Well, this is about some things like that, which happen to a group of young people in the late seventies, in a wild and rugged North West Highlands. It weaves in a lot about mountains and rocks, a crashed wartime plane, swimming in mountain lakes and confronting sexuality. But mostly it is about friendship, affection and love.

Genres: Coming Of Age

315 pages, Paperback

Published December 21, 2021

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a moving story.

This book is a self-published debut novel set in the Highlands of Scotland. The writing is rough around the edges, in my opinion, and punctuation in particular would be improved by an extra round of editing.

But this didn't stop me from enjoying this book. It's not the kind of story I am usually drawn to, I mostly picked it up for the location and the promise of geology. Yes, you will learn quite a bit about the geology of this specific region of the NW Highlands and it's worth it! But the core of the story is about young people discovering themselves and their sexuality, and developing meaningful relationships and friendships, set in the '70s. It can be sad at times, often in a melancholic way, but also really heartwarming. I'm not the person to judge this truly, but I think the LGBTQ+ rep was really good (I believe the author belongs to the community as well, so that makes sense). Definitely recommend it.

[Carol Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seldom have I read such a gentle and thoughtful book. John is a writer with a heart and soul.
Beautiful story, not only pushing the language of the heart, but weaving and encapsulating the beauty and geology of North West of Scotland and it's surrounds. I highly recommend this. One of the most sincere and genuine reads I have read in some time.

[Iona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story about friendships and the impact they can have on your life. I really felt like i got to know the characters and the relationships they had with each other, as well as the places that they were in. It made me think a lot about my own life and the events that might seem significant when I look back from the future.

[noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

genuinely just a lovely read, never particularly known much about geology so that was interesting !! and the end was very sweet

[Carly Mirr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a recent visit to the highlands because I lost my previous copy after only reading one chapter. I’m honestly kind of pissed I spent money on it twice. I enjoyed the exploration of the setting and the general plot of the novel. It was cool to read about places I’ve explored myself and I liked the queer storyline. However, the writing itself left a lot to be desired. The dialogue especially felt unnatural and took me out of the book.

[Frankie Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a dedication to both the tundra of Scotland and the tale of coming of age.

Set principally in The Cairngorms, the story centres around Peter, who finds meaning in nature, the rest needs to be discovered by the reader.

[Judith Greve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two an a half stars upgraded to three.
Bought this book in Ullapool during a trip through the Scottish Highlands because I like to read about the area I'm in.
The settings in the book are really interesting, more so for having been there but the story was a bit stiff/clumsy and repetitive and sometimes a geology lecture.
Nice read though.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

While an interesting setting of the Scottish Highlands, ultimately this book never quite has the tension to grip the reader into wondering what will happen next.

[Marquise De Sade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a special book, in all the good ways + lots of chat about rocks.

[Jo Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read made better since I know the area very well. The writing is a little clumsy at times but overall and lovely story, I particularly enjoyed the ending.

[El Munro · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
A nice easy read with some lovely tender moments of friendship but frustrating at times and often clumsy/ clunky/ unnatural dialogue between the characters.
Gay geologists for the win though

[Chelsea Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle and heart breakingly beautiful. Best book I have read in a while.

[Katharine]

This debut novel by John McLellan is set amongst the stunning landscape of NW Scotland in the late 1970's. For me it gives a real sense of place, time and also very movingly deals with life dilemmas. Thoroughly recommend reading it.