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Throughout the many hours listening I was kept hooked and I didn't want this to end! Especially like it did! Literally a cliff hanger - excuse the pun! Wild-spirited Effie Gillies has lived all her life on the small island of St Kilda. But when Lord Sholto, heir to the Earl of Dumfries, visits, the attraction between them is instant. For one glorious week she guides the handsome young visitor around the isle, falling in love for the first time – until a storm hits and her world falls apart. This book is special in that it is almost two books in one. The first part involves the inhabitants still living on St Kilda, and the second gives us a glimpse of the unique positions these women (and men) experience when they are forced to vacate their home and find a new life for themselves on the mainland. Society, culture, relationships, and the structure of classes are all an awakening and a jolt for sure. Some changes are positive, some are different and difficult. Relationships that were simple on the island are now complex, complicated, and sometimes changed and broken. There is love, loss, friendship, family, changes, mystery, and it is all drawn out beautifully by the author and it all sounds lovely by the impressive narrator and her stunning accent. It really adds to the novel. I like the idea of a book set on a remote island and the descriptions of the location were very good. Unfortunately, the story didn’t grab me.
Initially I thought I would struggle with the narration being such a strong Scottish accent, however, within minutes I was hooked and I feel that it actually bought more delight and realism to the characters in this already delightful book. The story starts on a small remote island off the North of Scotland called St kilder, set in the 1930s, with the inhabitants living in a manner we could not even imagine with no idea of mainland life. They are all controlled by a few misely characters and currency is materials. The book is in two parts, following the life of eighteen year old Effie before and after the evacuation from the island in 1930. I can't thank you enough NetGally, Macmillan UK audio and the author Karen Swan and the superb narrator for this advanced copy of this audiobook. Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy of this book. I’ve been a long term fan of Karen Swan’s books, always enjoying the flowing prose filled with descriptive sentences that allow the readers to really immerse themselves in the setting as well as the story. Whether the setting is Spain, Rome, Norway or Canada, there is a real sense of place in her books. This time her setting is St Kilda and the Scottish mainland in the 1930s, at the time of the evacuation of the inhabitants of the island of St Kilda, whose meagre population struggles for survival in a centuries old manner, cut off from much of modern conveniences. It is told through the eyes of Effie Gillies, a wild tom boy type whose skill at all the men’s work required for their survival, including rope work along the cliffs, captures the attention of Lord Sholto when he visits with his father, the Earl of Dumfries, just before the evacuation. She becomes their guide, her knowledge and understanding of birds catching the earl’s attention and admiration. But it’s his son who finds her more than a source of information, and his attention becomes irresistible to Effie. The two are drawn together, ever closer, until circumstances forces them apart. The Last Summer is meticulously researched and beautifully told . . . a wonderfully satisfying read' – Santa MontefioreEffy has to compete and win against the males and it seems no challenge is too small for this young girl. Wild-spirited Effie Gillies has lived all her life on the small island of St Kilda but when Lord Sholto, heir to the Earl of Dumfries, visits, the attraction between them is instant. For one glorious week she guides the handsome young visitor around the isle, falling in love for the first time - until a storm hits and her world falls apart.
As in her previous novels, the setting is wonderful, created and told with such detail that there is no doubting the meticulous research the author has carried out. One of the reasons I'm drawn to her novels is her attention to details and this novel is no different.Lord Sholto has lead a privileged life but when he and his father visit the island they do not show airs and graces as Effie acts as tour guide to the visitors. Sholto falls for Effie the minute he sees her and Effie dreams there may be a life for her off the island. Set on the remote island of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago in the months leading up to the 1930 evacuation of the villagers to the mainland of Scotland. Swan uses real events to weave a fictitious tale of resilience. Despite romance seemingly the focus initially, all is definately not what it seems and the reader's endure an unforgettable adventure with fun, sadness hardships and so much laughter and unpredictability even a pet cheetah & food fights! They meet again a few months later when Effie accepts a job offer from the Earl of Dumfries. Now, Effie has the opportunity to see Sholto in the society which he is part of. The status differences are now more obvious, and their story seems impossible, even before it really begins.
Karen Swan has delivered the perfect forbidden love story with the two protagonists separated by powerful class boundaries that seemed insurmountable. The author certainly leaving us wanting more and I do hope we get to find out who owned the brooch. I actually want to relisten to see if there are any hidden clues!I preferred the first part of the book, mainly due to its historical research and slower pace, but I can see other readers will prefer the faster paced second part developing the characters and their relationships. I believe this is the first in a series and I look forward to meeting up with Effie and Sholto again. On another note, I did not feel the cover matches the book, I would have preferred a more accurate representation of St Kilda- the bird life, the cliffs and the rugged sea. When a unique visit from the mainlands Earl and his son throws Effy into being a guide for a week she easily impresses with her knowledge of the island and the bird inhabitants and obviously her amazing climbing skills! Of which will never be forgotten. Effy also has her first experience of that loving spark but sadly once again Effys actions are not well received by her father and the others! This time, the place is the isle of St. Kilda, an isolated island belonging to Scotland, in the 1930s. The story begins shortly before the evacuation of the inhabitants of the island, whose small population, only a few dozen people, is fighting for survival in a centuries-old way, isolated from many of the modern amenities. The book was inspired by real events. However, her ambition and her spark creates many open doors for exploring and despite initial prejudices for her name sake, she wins the hearts of many surprising characters! I can imagine in the 1930s this spirited girl existed and I hope it's true!
The book tells the story through the eyes of Effie Gillies, a beautiful but wild teenager whose strength and will captures the attention of Lord Sholto. The Lord, along with his father, the Earl of Dumfries, visit the island to relax, just before the evacuation. She becomes their guide, her knowledge and understanding of birds capturing the earl's attention and admiration. It is his son, however, who finds her more than a source of information, and his attention becomes irresistible to Effie. The two fall in love, but circumstances force them to separate.
Publication Order of At Tiffany's Books
A delicious romantic tale of wild 1930s Scotland . . . perfect for everyone dreaming of summer' – Rachel Hore
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