This is Lorraine Kelly’s first novel. Having spent many years having family holidays in the Orkney Isles, she was inspired to set her novel there. It is a story essentially about missed opportunities and how there is no time like the present to alter and set a new course.
The Island Swimmer Plot in a nutshell
The book is centred around Evie, who flees her home in the Orkneys after a tragedy and travels south to London. After 20 years she finally returns home as her beloved father's health dwindles. Once back she has to confront her demons and tries to reconstruct herself. There are oodles of supporting characters in this tale who come along for the ride.
The Island Swimmer Review
Lorraine holds Orkney in very high regard, as is shown in her writing, with every opportunity taken to give the reader a snapshot of the history and inner workings of the location. She paints an idyllic picture, and after some Google snooping, I can see why. The Italian Chapel looks particularly lovely. Looking up flights now…
As with any type of media, written or visual, the creator desires to invoke a response. For me, The Island Swimmer tapped into a great anxiety of mine which meant that a lot of the book was uncomfortable and frustrating for me to read. I was just pleading with the characters, to be honest and talk to one other.
My fear is wasted time and misunderstanding. The characters in this story don’t have a happy run of things. The one I felt most sorry for was Evie’s father Duncan, but I’ll let you find out why. This story, if anything, is a cautionary tale about not being open and honest. Not to hold yourself up to other people’s ideals and be true to yourself. If you don’t, the venom it can create can seep into every aspect of your life and you will be at risk of destroying things over the most trivial of matters. Don’t worry though, it does end on an optimistic note and shows that no matter what stage of life you are at, there is still the opportunity to turn things around for the better. If I’m being metaphorical, I would say that Lorraine uses the supporting character's hobby of open-water swimming as a rite of passage for the non-swimmer lead character Evie. I think every open-water swimmer can agree to the baptism effect that cold water has on their state of mind. A ceremonial washing away of the past to present a clearer and brighter way forward.
I can see The Island Swimmer being turned into a one-off Sunday 3-part family drama. The community vibe Lorraine illustrated made me think of my favourite childhood Sunday show Hamish Macbeth. Lots of different people coming together and supporting each other. It’s a good message to have out there.
