Elemental

Great story.

A fascinating story of Meggie's life both in the North of Scotland and Australia. It was a bit slow at the start but once you got into it, it was very moving and tragic but totally compelling to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

This story gripped me from the first page. The author painted her characters so vividly that I felt I was in this child's life, hating her forbidding grandfather, loving and admiring her feisty sister and embracing the hardships and challenges endured throughout her journey. Captivating, evocative and insightful, it's a rare thing a story which stays with you. it's beautifully written too.

Engrossing read- very moving. Fisher Meggie's life story is full of hardship & struggles. She finds love and a new beginning in Australia. Great insight into life in early 1900's. Thoroughly recommend.

Absorbing and beautifully written. It is the first historical fiction novel I have read and would highly recommend it! If I had to be picky, 'Fire' was my least favourite section of the book, because of the contrast to the rest of the novel.

Really interesting book a page turner.... took a while to get into story though

Fantastic book, beautifully written, the descriptions of a gutting girl and what it was like to do that job, the hardships and kingships of a fishing village, of their beliefs and superstitions are written with extrodinary detail and how this had a profound but negative affect on a young and inquisitive young girl who didnt want to be tied to the constraints of living and growing up in such a place. A book which is written in such a way that only snippets are given making you wait a few pages or a chapter until it becomes clear what was happening - very cleaver. However the reason for 4 stars not 5 is the ending, the last part of the book felt it was written with less conviction, it didnt have quite the same quality as the first 3/4. It felt as though Amanda Curtain was looking for an ending and struggled, i was left with a feeling that the ending story was a bit of a desperate attempt to finish the book but with no idea how. Id still buy it again and would still recommend it and im sure others have a different opinion on the last part of the book.

Item Just as described and a joy to read

Simply stunning. I read Amanda Curtin's 'The Sinkings' and was very impressed. I plunged into Elemental and every page was special. Curtin sinks herself into the person's soul and tells a story that takes the reader with the characters every step of the way. The writing is magnificent, never overblown or rapturously descriptive but giving the reader an evocative picture of the landscapes and situations as they arise. I cannot recommend this author highly enough. The story moves from cold, overcast Scotland to hot and sunny Perth and you feel the climate in every page. You feel the character's loves and woes as they do. Such a writing ability. It is a privilege to have read this book and one that will always stay in my library. Thank you Amanda Curtin.

This book is written in the form of a dying grandmother writing her life story for her granddaughter. It is a very moving and at times quite intimate account of the grandmothers early years growing up in an isolated fishing village in Scotland, where the men's comfort counts for everything and women are there to serve. She faces a bleak and difficult life, until circumstances force her to become one of many young girls who gut herring for a living.Despite the hardships she suffers doing this, she also experiences romance and the opportunity to move to Fremantle,Australia With growing resilience and fortitude, she builds a better life for her family in Australia, but is never far away from sorrow and death. I found this book to be beautifully written, as we follow the grandmother''s life unfolding in Scotland and then in Australia and the emotions her granddaughter experiences when she finally reads it. A vey good read indeed.

Though it’s well-written and atmospheric, I was quite underwhelmed by this book. It is the story of read-headed Meggie, a young girl growing up in a poor fishing village steeped in superstition and backwardness in the northeast of Scotland. It’s a tale of hard work, hardship and heartbreak. When Meggie emigrates to Australia, tragedies and heartbreak continue. So far, so good. Three quarters through the book, though, Amanda Curtin fast-forwards three generations, completely changing the mood and the tone of the book. There is more tragedy and heartbreak but the author’s attempt to establish a deep connection between Meggie’s life and that of her great-grandson is totally contrived and didn’t convince me at all.

I really enjoyed the book, the story, the writing. I found the first part, the actual journal of Meggie more compelling and authentic than the second part with Laura and Avril. It did feel slightly phoney at times and not convincing in making too many connections. But overall it was very good reading.

Beautifully written and an interesting tale.The characters come to life as you get further into the book.