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O Caledonia

The beloved classic, for fans of I CAPTURE THE CASTLE and Shirley Jackson, with an introduction by Maggie O’Farrell
By Elspeth Barker
Series: W&N Essentials
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Check link for latest rating. ( 9,212 ratings, 1,586 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker is a darkly atmospheric novel set in a remote Scottish castle. It follows the story of Janet, a misunderstood and imaginative young girl who finds solace in the natural world and literature. As she navigates the challenges of family and identity, the narrative weaves together a poignant tale of isolation and the complexities of growing up.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by gothic coming-of-age tales set in a vividly described Scottish landscape. With its brilliant blend of dark humour and lyrical prose, the story offers an exploration of a misfit's experiences amidst family dysfunction and societal expectations, creating a richly atmospheric and compelling read.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

'A surreal, hilarious and dark story of a troubled adolescence deep in the wilds of Scotland' Maggie O'Farrell, Winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION FROM MAGGIE O'FARRELL Vera was painting the pony's hooves gold in the dining room; Janet said this was bad for him; poison would seep into his bloodstream. At the bottom of a great stone staircase, dressed in her mother's black lace evening dress, twisted in murderous death, lies Janet. So end the sixteen years of Janet's short life. A life spent in a draughty Scottish castle, where roses will not grow, and a jackdaw decides to live in the doll's house. A life peopled by prettier, smoother-haired siblings, a Nanny with a face like the North Sea, and the peculiar, whisky-swigging Cousin Lila. A life where Janet is perpetually misunderstood - and must turn from people, to animals, to books, to her own wild and wonderful imagination. O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker is an evocative tale that captures the essence of a young girl's complex world.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Elspeth Barker’s O Caledonia is celebrated for its unique blend of humour, wit, and dark surrealism, focusing on themes of adolescence, class, and literary traditions. The novel’s originality and Barker’s vivid depiction of the Scottish landscape and characters have earned it acclaim for its richness and literary intensity. Despite its brilliance, it's considered one of the lesser-known gems of the 20th century’s Scottish literature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781474620512

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 September 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Maggie O'Farrell
  • Introduction by Maggie O'Farrell

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 200.0mm

Weight: 204g

Pages: 224

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Elspeth Barker Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Series: W&N Essentials

About the Author

Elspeth Barker (1940-2022) was a novelist and journalist. She was born in 1940 in Edinburgh. Her first husband was the poet George Barker. Her novel O Caledonia won four awards and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize. She wrote for the Independent on Sunday, Guardian, Sunday Times, Observer, LRB, TLS, Scotland on Sunday, Vogue, The Literary Review and many more.

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