O Caledonia

Summary:

Janet lies murdered beneath the castle stairs, attired in her mother’s black lace wedding dress, lamented only by her pet jackdaw…

Author Elspeth Barker masterfully evokes the harsh climate of Scotland in this atmospheric gothic tale that has been compared to the works of the Brontës, Edgar Allan Poe, and Edward Gorey. Immersed in a world of isolation and loneliness, Barker’s ill-fated young heroine Janet turns to literature, nature, and her Aunt Lila, who offers brief flashes of respite in an otherwise foreboding life. People, birds, and beasts move through the background in a tale that is as rich and atmospheric as it is witty and mordant. The family’s motto—Moriens sed Invictus (Dying but Unconquered)—is a well-suited epitaph for wild and courageous Janet, whose fierce determination to remain steadfastly herself makes her one of the most unforgettable protagonists in contemporary literature. (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)

Review:

I picked up “O Caledonia” on a life-changing-staff-recommendation list and it did deliver what was highlighted though not life-changing for me.  Janet is misunderstood, mistaken, and a flawed individual that nonetheless prompts sympathy and empathy for the craving of solitude and creativity.  For those who “Ninth House” or “Catherine House” I think this is going to be a hit – just closer to a novella than a full-length novel.

Ultimately, this one gets 3 stars from me simply because it wasn’t exactly to my taste.  “O Caledonia” is beautifully written, incredibly atmospheric, and just the amount of spook that I’d recommend for Halloween, yet it was bleak at times and the characters somewhat made you want to kick them.  Ultimately while I enjoyed the read, it wasn’t one I craved to continue and at times it was even a slog to push through.

Warning: Contains repeated violence

Rating: 3 stars!

Who should read it? Fans of Gothic Literature or an atmospheric almost spooky read for Halloween!