Letters from Skokholm [Paperback]

For once the title of a book tells you exactly what you are going to get: this is a series of letter written from the island of Skokholm by R.M. Lockley to his friend John Buxton.

Lockley moves to the island, situated off the Pembrokeshire, and as war in Europe was brewing stared writing the letters that form the basis of the book. John Buxton, at first in England, but later as a prisoner of war in Norway receives the latter. The letters cover many aspects of the natural history of the island and build a finely detailed picture of island life.

But a number of things strike me as interesting about this book. Firstly, the tone of the letters (with the possible exception of the last and one other) is extremely uniform, war may be breaking out, but it rarely seems to enter the body of the letters. This may be English under-statement of the highest order, but it does not make for a very varied read. Secondly, and again this is about tone, the letters seem to written in what I can best describe as a "school masterly" way - they are informative, accurate, but somehow seem rehearsed, as if the author had said many of the things before. And finally, there is the realization that Buxton, the target of the letters, probably knew most of what the letters contained already.

But such is the clarity of the writing in the letters and the shear level of detail contained within them, that the book becomes a fascinating picture of island life. Again, it becomes interesting to consider how the author actually made a living on the island, because he seems to spend most of his time ringing and watching birds!

This is a beautiful book dedicated to the nature of an island, produced at a time of great change, with a (seemingly distant) war brewing and the land yet to be dominated by machines and artificial chemicals.

As a final point I was recommend that you read the introduction by Adam Nicolson after you have read the letters, and make your own mind up about the authors intentions.

This is an interesting and detailed book which I would recommend, even if it is a little predictable in tone!