The Innocents by Michael Crummey

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: No Exit Press (20 Aug. 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0857304267
• ISBN-13: 978-0857304261

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

A brother and sister are orphaned in an isolated cove on Newfoundland’s northern coastline. Their home is a stretch of rocky shore governed by the feral ocean, by a relentless pendulum of abundance and murderous scarcity. Still children with only the barest notion of the outside world, they have nothing but the family’s boat and the little knowledge passed on haphazardly by their mother and father to keep them.

Muddling though the severe round of the seasons, through years of meagre catches and storms and ravaging illness, it is their fierce loyalty to each other that motivates and sustains them. But as seasons pass and they wade deeper into the mystery of their own natures, even that loyalty will be tested.

 

Review

The Innocents is set in nineteenth century Newfoundland and the innocents of the title are Evedred and Ada, oprphaned and left to fend for themselves. In a desolate cove they are at the mercy of nature and the seasons and must salt fish to exchange for provisions twice a year when The Hope arrives at the cove. As they fight for survival, their closeness is compromised especially as they face their personal changes, can they pull together and survive the challenges placed before them.

The Innocents is beautifully written and Michael Crummey’s skill as a writer is evident in that this book only has two main characters and is based in one location and can hold the readers attention.  In Evered and Ada he has creates an Adam and Eve like scenario, although Newfoundland is no Garden of Eden, it is more like Hell. They are orphaned when only about twelve and ten and only have their example of their parents to follow, how to catch fish, salt it, chop wood, dry it and barter for their provisions. What astounded me was their resilience and strength in adverse conditions, how they coped with the freezing temperatures and never gave up. What is interesting to watch is how they develop both as individuals and as a team. Puberty and their changing bodies, hormones running wild affect their moods and how they see each other. This is made even harder as they don’t understand what is happeneing, causing much confusion. There is so much to cope with in the conditions they find themselves in, and it makes for a fascinating read.

The sea and the harsh landscape are like extra characters in this book, in that they are in control of Ada and Evered, who have to develop and mould their lives to the seasons and weather. Michael Crummley paints a landscape that is both desolate and beautiful in equal measure. I could almost feel the cold, see the turbulant sea and hear all the different wildlife in their cove. The plot is dark in places and harrowing in it’s desolation and how Ada and Evered had to live, so don’t expect a light hearted read with this book. Saying this, it is still a compelling read that once you start you can’t put down, you need to follow Ada and Evered, find out what happens to them. My only criticism is that it needed quite abruptly.

The Innocents is one of those books that gets under your skin. I loved being almost a voyeur to Ada and Evered’s lives, how they grew and how their instincts for survival naurally kicked in. The lyrical and descriptive post draw the reader in, seeing and feeling the rugged landscape, the freezing cold and the tempestuous sea. This maybe dark and intense at times, but it is totally immersive and fascinating. Another fabulous read.

 

I would like to thank No Exit Press and Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to part of this blog tour.