Review by Allybuggyboo -- Black Beach by Olivia Rana
4 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "Black Beach" by Olivia Rana.]
I would rate this book 4 out of 4. Black Beach is masterfully crafted and defines the term "flights of fancy". It is by far the most realistically whimsical book I have ever read. It's a beautiful story that takes place in Vik Iceland about a woman who can see and talk to the "hidden people" people from another dimension that share our space and time. They live inside the rocks of Black Beach and our heroine Frida is tasked with saving them from the harbor that is planned to be put in destroying their homes and killing them all. We follow Frida in both her childhood during the 50's and her elderly mentally deteriorating state in 2021. She runs away from the nursing home she has been living in for the past three years with the help of a “hidden folk” friend and her daughter Alda tries to locate her before it’s too late. Alda ends up finding that she never truly new her mother when she makes a series of discoveries. One finds themselves reevaluating how well they know their own parents while reading this book. Frida’s childhood was tumultuous riddled by poverty, sibling rivalry, and disbelief buy trusted loved ones and strangers alike. This book is a perfect companion to those who feel outcasted or misunderstood. Even though the book jumps around a lot in time, the writer has done a fantastic job of keeping the reader informed buy putting both the location and the date in the chapter headings so one could never be confused. Written partially as a memoir and partially as a real life account one finds it hard to believe that this book is mere fantasy. It almost makes it feel silly to not believe that there are people living all around us tied to nature just beyond our vision. While reading I found myself looking out the window to catch a flash of wings or to see something just slightly extraordinary. With its elegant descriptions of the Icelandic landscape one finds themselves transported to another time and place altogether. The descriptive imagery in this book is so effortlessly imparted that you see the world before you and you forget to read the next line. The author lives in Ireland and the roots of this book are inspired by the legends of the fairy folk. It's incredibly easy reading and suitable for all ages, something with which to pour a nice glass of wine and read in the evenings. Who doesn't need a bit of Icelandic escapism in their daily life?
******
Black Beach
View: on Bookshelves |
I would rate this book 4 out of 4. Black Beach is masterfully crafted and defines the term "flights of fancy". It is by far the most realistically whimsical book I have ever read. It's a beautiful story that takes place in Vik Iceland about a woman who can see and talk to the "hidden people" people from another dimension that share our space and time. They live inside the rocks of Black Beach and our heroine Frida is tasked with saving them from the harbor that is planned to be put in destroying their homes and killing them all. We follow Frida in both her childhood during the 50's and her elderly mentally deteriorating state in 2021. She runs away from the nursing home she has been living in for the past three years with the help of a “hidden folk” friend and her daughter Alda tries to locate her before it’s too late. Alda ends up finding that she never truly new her mother when she makes a series of discoveries. One finds themselves reevaluating how well they know their own parents while reading this book. Frida’s childhood was tumultuous riddled by poverty, sibling rivalry, and disbelief buy trusted loved ones and strangers alike. This book is a perfect companion to those who feel outcasted or misunderstood. Even though the book jumps around a lot in time, the writer has done a fantastic job of keeping the reader informed buy putting both the location and the date in the chapter headings so one could never be confused. Written partially as a memoir and partially as a real life account one finds it hard to believe that this book is mere fantasy. It almost makes it feel silly to not believe that there are people living all around us tied to nature just beyond our vision. While reading I found myself looking out the window to catch a flash of wings or to see something just slightly extraordinary. With its elegant descriptions of the Icelandic landscape one finds themselves transported to another time and place altogether. The descriptive imagery in this book is so effortlessly imparted that you see the world before you and you forget to read the next line. The author lives in Ireland and the roots of this book are inspired by the legends of the fairy folk. It's incredibly easy reading and suitable for all ages, something with which to pour a nice glass of wine and read in the evenings. Who doesn't need a bit of Icelandic escapism in their daily life?
******
Black Beach
View: on Bookshelves |
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