Visit the Outer Hebrides

As I listened to Peter Forbes in his wonderfully accented Scottish, describing the diverse and desolate landscape of these islands, I came upon an idea to "see" the countryside more fully. l used the Street View feature in Google Maps to "drive" around the Outer Hebrides as I listened.

By following the author's detailed descriptions of prominent physical features in the story, I easily found landmarks, settlements, and roadways. This gave me a much deeper appreciation of the setting while adding great credibility to Peter May's illustration of these places he obviously knows well.

As for the story itself, I came to admire May's device of occasionally inserting chapters written in the first person voice of the elderly Tormod Macdonald, who gives us insight into the frustration of what it must be like to live with dementia.

For valuable background of this second piece of the Lewis trilogy, I recommend listening to The Blackhouse before enjoying The Lewis Man. The third part, The Chase Men, is due out in 2013.

9 people found this helpful

Simply mesmerizing

Thank you to an Audible listener whose review prompted me to listen to this wonderful book. This is my first Peter May book and I am hooked. The story is moving and works on so many levels. It is elegantly written - stitched together seamlessly like the unique patterns of the almost lost knitting arts described in the book. The characters grew on me slowly and inevitably. Like many of my favourite writers, Mr. May made it possible to feel the wind, smell the sea, and watch the play of light across the landscape. Bravo! I highly recommend this book.
On another note, I highly value the recommendations of other readers. Thank you so much for your reviews.

6 people found this helpful

Bring on Book #3

I have listened to most of Peter May's books published by Audible and have thoroughly enjoyed them. I rated his first book in this trilogy Blackhouse 5 stars and assumed wrongly that he couldn't get better. He did. So The Lewis Man deserves 6 out of 5. What a fantastic story! What strong characters! What incredible story telling by Peter Forbes. I am totally enthralled by the main character 'Fin' not to mention Marsaili, his childhood sweetheart and Donald Murray, Fin's wild childhood friend who turned preacher. And especially Tormod MacDonald, Marsaili's father, who is in the later stages of dementia. Most of the narrative about Tormod is written in the first person, an uncanny, insightful and tragic perspective from an older person whose memory is being robbed from him daily.
I agree fully with a quote from Bookgeeks "The Blackhouse was an extremely good book; The Lewis Man is a superb book".
One final note - it helps to have a map of the Outer Hebrides at your side as you listen to the novel, which by the way is one of the advantages of audiobooks.
The third book in this trilogy is due in the Fall of this year. I can't wait. Truly a "must listen"; well worth the money.

6 people found this helpful

Hard to stop listening to this Hebridean mystery

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lewis Man to be better than the print version?

Well read, authentic accent, particularly the voice of the old and dementing man who is central to this story.

What other book might you compare The Lewis Man to and why?

A great sequel to Peter May's other Hebridean story.

Which scene was your favorite?

The story of the children on the Dean Bridge is especially compelling.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Stayed awake all night.

4 people found this helpful

The sins of the fathers . . .

Any additional comments?

Continuing the story of the people of Lewis but shifting back a generation, Peter May has created another spellbinding tale filled with atmosphere, memories, regrets and new chances. Fin works to find answers to the questions surrounding a body long buried in the bog, tied to Marsali's father, Tormod. As Fin investigates his own way, we learn the story through the hazy memories of Tormod, revealed through his first person recollections. Amazingly, the author is able to weave the facinating story of Tormod's youth and simultaneously convey the sad frustration of living with dementia. I felt complete empathy with Tormod on both levels.
Moving between the past and present, there is the tension of knowing through Tormod's narrative what has happened, while knowing Fin to be tantalizingly close, but still several steps behind. It is a race to bring the nearly parallel lines to convergence in time to prevent past events from creating new tragedies in the present. Very well written and perfectly narrated, this is very highly recommended.

3 people found this helpful

Great plot, strong characters, excellent narrator

This is Peter May's second novel in his Lewis trilogy -- and certainly is a strong sequel to 'The BlackHouse'. This one is quite complex in the telling, with Tormod's account in first person cleverly interweaving with the third person investigation by Fin McCloud. Intriguing from the start to the final minutes!

2 people found this helpful

WOW! Excellent!

If Peter May's words could be turned into a painting, he would be considered a modern day master. And, Peter Forbes' compelling narration has convinced me that this book needs to be heard as long as Mr. Forbes is narrating it.

I could see the sky, feel the rain and the wind crashing on the shore and smell the peat. I wanted to reach out to comfort Talmod MacDonald who endured such hardships in his youth, only to relive those times in his confused state of dementia at the end of his life. The main character Fin, comes across as sensitive and strong. Mr. May and Mr. Forbes portray each character in the book to perfection.

The Blackhouse was excellent and as soon as I had read it, I promptly downloaded The Lewis Man and was delighted that it is unabridged. Like other reviewers, I agree with their assessment. While The Blackhouse is great, The Lewis Man is superb. I am looking forward to Book #3. Thank you Peter May and Peter Forbes for sharing your incredible talents.

2 people found this helpful

A good story, just a bit slow to start

I enjoyed the story and the narrator did a good job. It took a while to get into the plot with the insertions from an old man's memory but it all worked out in the end

2 people found this helpful

Excellent story, perfect narration

This is the second book of Peter May's Lewis trilogy. Excellent story and perfect narration.i'm looking forward to the third book.

1 person found this helpful

Audible, please get all Peter May's books!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lewis Man to be better than the print version?

Not having read the print version, I don't know. However, Peter May creates such an extraordinary and complete dream in the reader's mind, I am sure it would be excellent.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lewis Man?

I could pick several which would constitute spoilers, but the one where the main character, Finn, is punched by the village reverend is a great one.

What does Peter Forbes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Peter Forbes disappears, and Scotland is completely unveiled. His narration is SO good, I barely noticed him. I just heard and saw the places and people. That's the highest compliment I can render to a reader, and I'm hard to please.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I just felt it was very very good, and it has stayed with me the way a good book does.

Any additional comments?

Like the title of my review, please get all of Peter May's Scottish stories and please get Peter Forbes to narrate more!

1 person found this helpful