#WECAN Book Club - A review of The Island Home by Libby Page

The #WECAN Book Club have been meeting monthly since September, coming together to discuss our thoughts on a range of books, both fiction and non-fiction. One of the group's favourites so far has been The Island Home by Libby Page.

Described as a tender and uplifting story, this book really delivered – we all loved it!

Written in an easy conversational style through the eyes of two characters, the two perspectives provided real depth to the story.

Lorna who left her island home long ago and is estranged from her family, has built a small but safe life with her daughter in London. After 20 years she revisits Kip, the remote Scottish island where she grew up, facing the past and ultimately finding a new future.

Alice, Lorna’s brother’s wife who she’s never met, experiences Lorna’s return through her own, very kind and forgiving eyes, supporting Lorna and the female community of island women through her yoga classes and beyond.?We all agreed Alice was the friend we’d love to have, yet beneath her relaxed exterior, Alice herself was carrying real worries for the island, her relationship, and her own identity.

A gripping story and a real page turner, the book covered themes of family and friendship, community, upbringing, and responsibility which prompted a lively discussion.

Home was a key theme for us.?What is home and can you ever really leave??Are you always drawn back there? The descriptions in the book of a beautiful natural landscape chimed strongly with one of us particularly, and we talked about the role nature might play in creating feelings of home – if you grew up by the sea or in the mountains are they always home to you??

Part of home on the island was the densely knit community, a community Lorna just hadn’t had in her life in London.?I was reminded of the proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child” as Lorna’s daughter Ella embraced the community and family on the island, something she’d never had in her London life.?

One part of the story which had really shocked and upset us was the betrayal of Lorna as a child by her former teacher, Jean.?Beloved by the islanders and by Lorna herself, she revealed that she had turned a blind eye to bruises and signs of abuse which she’d seen Lorna exhibit as a child.?Here the concept of community turned in upon itself with Jean’s reluctance to cause conflict within such a tight community leading to her ignoring these signs and living with the guilt of this for a lifetime. ?We tried to understand the lack of courage shown by Jean and whether this would still happen today??As part of the religious community of the island, Lorna’s parents espoused moral values and respectability, we discussed the negative role some religious communities have played in covering up abuse.?

Covering some dark themes in places, the book is uplifting though, and Lorna finds forgiveness and new love on the island, ultimately choosing to return.?Alice too finds peace and a positive future – I won’t give too much away!

We will next be meeting on Wednesday 25th January 12pm - 1pm to discuss our latest read, I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou. Don't worry if you haven't read the book yet, you're still welcome to join us! Book your place here.

There's so many books we all want to read that we have chosen the next few months including :

Wednesday 15th February

The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page (Yes she is related to Libby!)

Wednesday 15th March

Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter

We'd love to hear your suggestions for future books, so do come along and join us for an upcoming session.