Kilcaraig

by Annabel Carothers

Castle Kilcaraig, home of the Lamonts of Mull, is the centre of this Scottish family chronicle spanning sixty years.The secret birth of a baby, the death of her mother Catriona, and Lamont loyalty which makes possible a deception that has far-reacing consequences, is the beginning in 1913.A few years later Grania Lamont is still only a child when her impoverished family sell up and move south to London. But as a beautiful young woman she has a chance to retrieve Kilcaraig and her birthright. Hawever, riches are not everything, a jealous husband can be a penance and when Grania truly falls in love, she realizes the price she has paid.For the next generation, Grania's three children make their way in a harsher world. Her twin sons have different destinies. Niall the elder, with the Kilcaraig inheritance as his future, chooses a shy, loving girl as a bride. Rorie, headstrong and reckless, threatens scandal for the Lamonts with his passion for a prima donna whose golden voice has the world at her feet.Catriona, as beautiful as her grandmother who began the whole story, finds her road a hard one; but she finds happiness in the end.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

In 1951, Annabel Carothers sold her family house in London and joined her parents in Mull, setting up a smallholding with Carla, a spaniel, and Nicholas, a cat. During this period she wrote the novels It Happened to Rain, A Breeze in the Barley and Four Ducks on a Pond. Her first novel, A Breeze in the Barley was published by William Heinemann along with its sequel, The Silver Link. The trilogy was completed with Kilcaraig, which was published on 26 April 1982 – the day, tragically, she died. In 2008, her daughter, Fionna Eden-Bushell, discovered the manuscript of Four Ducks on a Pond in a desk drawer and submitted it for publication, finally and fittingly completing her mother’s publishing oeuvre.

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a multi-generational saga, with most of the story based on Grania Lamont and her efforts to regain ownership of the family's estate (or should we say castle?) on the Isle of Mull from the filthy rich business man who purchased it, and she accomplishes that by marrying the much older man.

"What was done was done, and all would be well as long as the silly child never allowed herself to fall in love."

Grania is spoiled and petted, yet kept on a very short leash by her older and very jealous husband, but eventually a mystery man comes to Mull.

Well, there you have the basics. The book begins sometime prior to the outset of WWII and ends in the 1970s as the author tells not only Grania's story, but those of her children as well. While I enjoyed this overall (especially the writing style), the pacing is a bit slow and might not appeal to all readers. YMMV. The second generation's story focuses quite a bit on the world of opera and an opera diva, and again that might not appeal to readers who find opera boring.

For some reason based on the bookcovers, I was expecting something set in the 19C, so the 1960s and 70s stories were a bit of a surprise to me, but still it was fun reading about televisions that had nobs and things like record players and vinyl :)

[Bree (AnotherLookBook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical saga about a beautiful young woman who has a child out of wedlock, an event that affects her proud Scottish family for generations to come. 1982.

Full review at: Another look book

A very enjoyable, multi-generational family saga. I enjoyed the way in which the protagonist was never fixed for too long--and surprise, it wasn't always a female protagonist! This definitely added to the diversity of the novel, and made it feel more like an all-encompassing experience with this single family. I also enjoyed, but was not really anticipating, the way in which opera music became such a strong focal point of the second half of the novel. Even at 550 pages (in my paperback copy), I never lost interest in Kilcaraig castle and its inhabitants. Scottish setting was bonus! A very good read.

[Clarey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A multi generational saga which encaptures the atmosphere of the Scottish Islands to a tee. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have read it time and time again. Highly recommended.

[Anja · Rating 3 out of 5]

mooi geschreven ontspannen verhaal

[Lorri Elkington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book I read in the early 80’s and decided to read again. I think I enjoyed it more this time. It’s a lovely tale centered around 3 generations of the Lamont family living in the castle at Kilcaraig, Scotland. The reader gets to know each family member, their hopes, loves, and dreams.

[Debra Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favorite books. It's an 'older' book, but if you love sweeping epics, it's one of the best. I couldn't put it down. I love this book and wish more stories did this. Amazing!!!

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

[Joyce · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like drama and soap operas you may like this book. I couldn’t waste my time on it and had to stop reading it.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a multi-generational story of a family living in Scotland from 1913 to today. Interesting and dull, but all tying together in the end.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in paperback & cannot find any others or author in US. Liked!