Review: Little Wing by Freya North

 

The story of two families over three generations. A novel about resilience, forgiveness and the true meaning of family, about finding one's place in the world and discovering how we all belong somewhere and to someone.

Little Wing is the powerful story of two families over three generations.

In the 1960s, a pregnant 16-year-old is banished to one of the remotest parts of the UK. Years later, Nell and Dougie are both at critical moments in their lives when their paths cross. Between Camden, Colchester and the Outer Hebrides, the three story lines collide when secrets are uncovered and answers sought.

Little Wing is a novel about resilience, forgiveness and the true meaning of family, about finding one's place in the world and discovering how we all belong somewhere and to someone.

Publisher: Welbeck Publishing Group 
ISBN: 9781787397606 
Number of pages: 400 
Dimensions: 234 x 153 mm

Had her mother navigated the ankle twisting trudge along the tracks which clung, almost desperately, to the coastline? Had Florence stood, as Nell stood now, looking down on the swell of seaweed choke heaving in the inlets, gazing over the sea to Skye? Did her mother automatically sing 'Speed Bonny Boat' to herself, just as Nell was doing? Was this where I was born? In a brave little cottage like that - in this stone-hard lunar landscape?

To anyone who has ever felt like they don't belong anywhere or to anyone, I urge you to read Little Wing by Freya North. To anyone who has survived abandonment, been or is a caregiver to family and or loved ones, please read Little Wing. To anyone who has survived illness, death, any loss of any kind read Little Wing. 

I am not suggesting you have to have criteria to read this, obviously not. However, just the opposite. 

I hope that all 'us' sons and daughters who have survived family trauma, family wounds, who may be isolated or alone, please read Little Wing. I hope anyone who is broken, a wounded soul will find its way to reading Freya North's Little Wing. It is a novel of the greatest love story - the love of family transcends time. 

Freya North's writing is so evocative and beautifully transporting that I found myself not only crying but sobbing every time I would read Florence's words to her daughter.  A bond and connection that never ends. I loved Nell's sense of humor, her inner strength and steadfastness to never give up on her family. My heart broke into a thousand pieces for Florence but Nell's relationship with Dougie was especially touching. 

Little Wing is a story that will uplift you, make you laugh, make you cry and hopefully make you want to visit the Outer Hebrides as well.

NOTE:  

Little Wing by Freya North is not published in the United States. I bought my copy at Book Depository. I will link it below.  

To purchase the hardcover in the United States, Book Depository

To purchase on kindle or hardcover in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe, Amazon UK