Impoverished and oppressed, they'd been promised paradise on earth: a land flowing with milk and honey. But what the settlers found after a devastating sea journey was a cold South American desert where nothing could survive except tribes of nomadic Tehuelche Indians, possibly intent on massacring them. Silas James fears he has been tricked into sacrificing everything he loves for another man's impossible dream. But despite his hatred of the politically adept Edwyn Owen, and under the watchful eye of Indian shaman Yelue, a new culture takes root as an old one passes away. A Place of Meadows and Tall Trees is a lyrical and insightful evocation of the trials of the first Welsh Patagonian colonists as they battle to survive hunger, loss, and each other.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By B. M. Clegg
Format:Paperback
Before reading Clare Dudman's new novel, A Place of Meadows and Tall Trees, I was only vaguely aware of a Welsh presence in Patagonia. I knew, in a Trivial Pursuits kind of way, that there was a pocket of Welsh speaking down there in South America, and I had the bizarre fictional images from Malcolm Pryce's wonderful noir detective stories set in a fantasy Aberystwyth (like Abertystwyth, Mon Amour), where Patagonia is frequently referred to as the Welsh equivalent of Vietnam, with war veterans cropping up in the stories now and again. But I knew nothing of the real nineteenth century attempt to colonize part of Patagonia.
Although the book is a novel it really does capture the historical context beautifully - you can feel the hardship of reaching the place, only to discover that the promised meadows and tall trees are actually scrubland and bare earth. The colonists battle against remarkable odds, losing loved ones and nearly starving. The author is always wonderful at giving us a feel of what it's like to live in a different environment, and I've never seen it done better. Lyrical and informative in equal parts, this is a novel that a non-fiction reader can appreciate for its descriptive content while still giving flight to the imagination and good development of characters that the reader cares about. Recommended.
Although the book is a novel it really does capture the historical context beautifully - you can feel the hardship of reaching the place, only to discover that the promised meadows and tall trees are actually scrubland and bare earth. The colonists battle against remarkable odds, losing loved ones and nearly starving. The author is always wonderful at giving us a feel of what it's like to live in a different environment, and I've never seen it done better. Lyrical and informative in equal parts, this is a novel that a non-fiction reader can appreciate for its descriptive content while still giving flight to the imagination and good development of characters that the reader cares about. Recommended.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a very powerful book. It starts with a punch and doesn't let up as it describes the adventures - and misadventures - of a group of nineteenth century Welsh settlers in the wilder parts of Patagonia. They battle with the elements, the indigenous peoples, bureaucracy and, most importantly, one another as they try to establish themselves in hostile territory. It's a beautifully written tale in which the historical elements - obviously the result of considerable research - never override the human story. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Scooby
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book tells the story, via fiction, of the heroic Welsh immigrants who settled in Patagonia from 1865. It contains tragedy and pathos but also hope, and we know that the Welsh succeeded in their endeavours. It also describes the local Indians, their way of life and their, in the main, peaceful and inquisitive nature. It is an excellent book and has taught me, in a most enjoyable way, about a period in history that I knew nothing about. Well worth reading.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
uncertain
Not sure if I liked this book or not, almost cultish in that people follow a very flawed man regardless.
Published 1 month ago by H. K. Wright
2.0 out of 5 stars
Slow And Disappointing
I just couldn't get into this book at all. The plot sounds interesting, a group of Welsh who travel to the other side of the world to start a new colony. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Lock
1.0 out of 5 stars
Only for the Welsh...
Slow, over wordy, hard to read, making too much of a plot. Would not recommend for relaxed reading. Perhaps of interst if you are Welsh.
Published 3 months ago by Mr. S. Calderwood
3.0 out of 5 stars
interesting but over long
I really enjoyed the start of this book, I felt it had great promise, but it became somewhat monotonous and over long. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jo Burrill
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
I really enjoyed this book. The story-telling was excellent and takes the reader on a journey of happiness, dispair, faith, loyalty and courage as a small group of Welsh try to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by read and read...
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Bought on the daily kindle for .99p. It arrived in good time and was well packaged, have yet to read the book
Published 4 months ago by pusscat
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