The Treasure of the Isle of Mist

by W.W. Tarn

"My excavations came to an untimely end," said the Student. "I always owed that old man a grudge for being beaten before my tent. Why couldn't he have been beaten somewhere else? I should like to meet him again and tell him precisely what I thought of his conduct." "You have done both now," said the hawker. "And it is his turn." "Impossible," said the Student. "He was as old twenty-five years ago as you are now." "At my age," said the old man, "one grows no older. No one who walks the world as I do need ever grow any older. You can walk thirty miles on Monday when you are twenty years old; good.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Scotland

86 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1919

About the author

William Woodthorpe Tarn

Reviews

[gloriabluestocking · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a little surprised this book doesn't have more of a reputation. It's packed with mythological and literary references (some which I got, many which I didn't), and is written in beautiful language at times poetic.
It was a pleasure to read this aloud. I think children from 8-16 could enjoy this, with perhaps a jump to ages 20-99, or whatever age a person will again grant themselves the pleasure of reading a fairytale.
Fiona is about 15 years old, and embarks on a search for a mysterious treasure, the treasure of the Isle of Mist. Though the search takes her into Fairyland, her search ends in an unexpected place, which had my heart aflutter. I believe that part went over my son's head, but he still enjoyed the story as a while.

A favourite quote, describing two scholar-friends:
"The two would sit, one on either side of the fire, each smoking at a tremendous pace and talking hard on his own subject. Neither ever expected an answer from the other; neither ever got one. But they had silently established an unwritten law that when one had talked for three minutes by the clock on the mantelpiece he was to stop and let the other have a turn; and when at last they said good-night, each felt they had both had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. (48)"

[Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book in a little second hand bookshop in Scalloway, Shetlands last year. The book is actually set on Skye, and is from the early 1920s. I don't think it's well known at all now, although I see on the internet that a company has scanned it in and published a new edition in the last couple of years. And I do actually think its quite an enjoyable kids' book, and it's a shame that it's not better known.

Fiona, a 15 year old local girl who seems quite young for her age, lives with her father who is referred to as the Student - he likes his books. She hangs about with the Urchin, a young lad whose father is renting a house off the the student. They go out into the countryside, fishing and so on. They find out about a great hoard of treasure hidden in a cave, and set out to find it. Fiona gets a bracelet that allows her to communicate with the animals, who help them on their quest. Although the fairies get mixed up into the tale, so things don't always go according to plan. And they have to learn the true meaning of treasure.

This is a book that loves the Isle of Skye. It's also a very nature orientated story, with some Scottish folklore coming to life.

[James Stoddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarn was a scholar who told this tale to his fifteen-year-old daughter when she was ill. It’s one of those books that’s difficult to describe. On the surface, its a story of two children, Fiona, the heroine, and the Urchin, her male playmate, a quest to find a treasure hidden on the Isle of Mist. But it’s much more than that. Charming, erudite, filled with a quiet wisdom, it’s simply a delight to read. Editions are available on Amazon or can be downloaded for free from gutenberg.org

[Jeremy Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This obscure coming-of-age story deals with make believe, fairies and facing one's fears. I found this to be a quick, enjoyable read.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the flea market for $1 - what a find! It was delightfully nonsensical and yet somehow made sense.

[wwwoolf]

I just finished this lovely book. It’s a Second edition, 1920, that I bought in the 1980’s when I lived in Scotland. I immediately thought it was set on Skye but it could be any of the islands on the west coast. He wrote this story for his daughter although he was a published expert on Greek philosophy and Hellenistic history. He must have also been a naturalist because his descriptions of nature on the island and fairy lore are just exquisite. I picked it up as a tonic against the insanity in this country and the world and was transported back to my years in Scotland. Highly recommended.

[Berni Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our book group was reading this because some article had likened it to The Hobbit. After reading it, I don't see any similarities to The Hobbit, but it is rather clever and charming. I see echoes of Peter Pan (you can age out of faerie and multiple generations may have accessed faerie as children), Lewis Carroll (the talking animals) and the Wizard of Oz. We got it from Project Gutenberg as it's out of copyright. If your kids have read all the Narnia and Wizard of Oz books and Edward Eager and Edith Nesbit (of whom this also reminds me), give them this.

[Carmelita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet coming of age fairytale set on Skye

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've already read this??? Gosh I don't remember it at all. It's hilarious! I suspect I didn't get all the jokes when I was 15... but it's very similar humour to Mistress Masham's Repose and I've always liked that.

First half much stronger than 2nd half, but overall pretty good.

[Anthony Meaney]

I read this when I was a kid. I can't remember anything about it :)

[Leona · Rating 2 out of 5]

parts are well written and the beginning is confusing and not engaging. It might of been a good story. it just lacks a good editor.

[C3wach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quit half way.