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The Islesman
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Review
'One of Scotland's leading historical novelists' (The Sunday Times )
'Mr Tranter works on a broad canvas; nobody does it better' (Daily Telegraph )
'Nigel Tranter captures the spirit of the times and writes with an absorbing attention to detail' (Yorkshire Evening Post )
'He has a burning respect for the spirit of history and deploys his characters with mastery' (Observer )
'Mr Tranter works on a broad canvas; nobody does it better' (Daily Telegraph )
'Nigel Tranter captures the spirit of the times and writes with an absorbing attention to detail' (Yorkshire Evening Post )
'He has a burning respect for the spirit of history and deploys his characters with mastery' (Observer )
Yorkshire Evening Post
'Nigel Tranter captures the spirit of the times and writes with an absorbing attention to detail'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
While this is a great book, like almost all of Nigel Tranters' works, I cannot fail to notice the drop in standards in this novel. Well, perhaps not so much the drop in standard, which is still high, it is a more the lack of dedication that I feel when reading this book. I recently re-read the Bruce triology (some of my favourite books) and was hungry for more historical action from around that same time period in history. This novel takes up The Wars Of Independence from the perspective of Angus Og MacDonald, a predominant character in the Bruce novels and one of my favourite characters in the series. However, anyone expecting The Islesman to be of the same calibre of The Bruce triology will probably be dissapointed, although it is still a good read.
There is very little talking in this novel, with the contents bieng mostly descriptive and most of the dialogue itself bieng briefly alluded to instead of actualy writen out in the form of talking. Indeed it seems, at times, like Tranter is merely trying to refresh, and proove, his historical expertise by re-hashing his memory of The Wars Of Independence in the form of another novel. It even seems as if he was desperate to write about the Bruce again, so took up the opportunity to write about the Bruce through the eyes of Angus Og. During the story, when Angus becomes more heavily involved in the monarchs efforts, I swear there where times I forgot Angus was meant to be the main character.
By no means is this meant to be a negative review, I honestly believe that this book simpy wasn't finished before Tranters' bereavement. I think this book was written in 2003, 3 years after Tranters death, so perhaps it was based on a first draft and notes that he was in the middle of writing? That would certainly explain the lack of dialouge.
This is still a good read and of course I would recommend it. But if you are expecting the novel to be as gripping as some of Nigel Tranters more epic novels, you will probably be slightly dissapointed.
There is very little talking in this novel, with the contents bieng mostly descriptive and most of the dialogue itself bieng briefly alluded to instead of actualy writen out in the form of talking. Indeed it seems, at times, like Tranter is merely trying to refresh, and proove, his historical expertise by re-hashing his memory of The Wars Of Independence in the form of another novel. It even seems as if he was desperate to write about the Bruce again, so took up the opportunity to write about the Bruce through the eyes of Angus Og. During the story, when Angus becomes more heavily involved in the monarchs efforts, I swear there where times I forgot Angus was meant to be the main character.
By no means is this meant to be a negative review, I honestly believe that this book simpy wasn't finished before Tranters' bereavement. I think this book was written in 2003, 3 years after Tranters death, so perhaps it was based on a first draft and notes that he was in the middle of writing? That would certainly explain the lack of dialouge.
This is still a good read and of course I would recommend it. But if you are expecting the novel to be as gripping as some of Nigel Tranters more epic novels, you will probably be slightly dissapointed.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Angus Og alive but only a part of a great life told
7 Jan 2006
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a good story. Tranter is an amazing teller but I was disappointed. I have read the Bruce Trilogy and was simply amazed. Even though Tranter's books are Historical Fiction his accuracy in the Bruce Trilogy was fantastic. He made Robert the Bruce live again. I felt a little disappointed with the Isleman. Here is the story of Angus Og, Lord of the Isles of the Clan Donald (MacDonalds). We start with Angus Og being sent to rule a part of the Lordship by his grandfather, Angus Mor, who actually was his father, to prepare him as an heir. His father in the story is Alistair, a recluse and book worm, who in actual life was his older brother who was against Bruce and lost the lordship in defeat to battle. We get some great Angus Og action as a true Islesman, captain of his Dragon ship, sailing about his lands and solving troubles between his chiefs and other issues before he meets and befriends the Bruce. The story ends with a dying Bruce and his task to hide the "true" Stone of Destiny from a usurping Edward Balliol who wishes to take the crown from Bruce's young son and heir, Robert, who actually was the ill fated King David II. I feel the book ended before the story. Plus little mention of his children, especially of his son and future lord of the isles, John, and nothing of his natural son Ian of the Heather, from who sprang the Infamous MacDonalds of Glencoe. All in all Tranter is a good teller of a story and this was good not great, but I felt incomplete and historically a little to inaccurate for my taste in historical fiction. Plus the questions at the end of each chapter became a little annoying. All in all, if you like Tranter and have an interest in the MacDonalds read it. I will continue to read Tranter, he is an amazing author and makes Scotland past come alive for me.
Great Read
1 April 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a huge fan of Scottish history especially in the era of Robert The Bruce. Nigel Tranter does another excellent job telling the story of Angus Og in the difficult times in Scotland's push for freedom. The book provides a good amount of detail on life on the islands surrounding Scotland and really brings life during this time period to a reality. It did however, seemingly end abruptly. I was surprised to find that it didn't end with Angus Og's death, but took a different turn. Either way definitely worth your time in reading. If you haven't already checked out the Bruce Trilogy also written by Nigel Tranter, give that a try too!!.. AMAZING Read!
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