Little Wing: A beautifully written, emotional and heartwarming story

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The book has two timelines - the late 1960s/early 197os, and the early 2000s. The book jumped between the two timelines, which isn't my favourite type of book structure. As I read on and got to know the characters better, I got used to the time jumps and in the end didn't mind it. The book has a strong sense of place, and it reads like a love letter to the Outer Hebrides, in particular the Isle of Harris. If the film/TV show the author mentions at the end of the book ever comes to be, I will certainly watch it. I adore books about ordinary people living extraordinary lives and Little Wing is liberally but sensitively strewn with characters full of longing and hope, despair and resilience, where the minutely observed detail of everyday life and relationships remind us how the little moments are the biggest part of our beings.

Little Wing: A beautifully written, emotional and Little Wing: A beautifully written, emotional and

North’s most powerful, most resounding message, though, is one about home, about roots. About finding home, going home. About the pull of home — that invisible cord that tugs you and tells you, THIS is home. It is not mawkish and syrupy at all but a book full of tenderness and grace as Nell embarks upon a personal journey in her hunt for a sense of belonging.In the 1960s, a pregnant 16-year-old is banished to one of the remotest parts of the UK. Years later, Nell and Dougie are both at critical moments in their lives when their paths cross. Between Camden, Colchester and the Outer Hebrides, the three storylines collide when secrets are uncovered and answers sought." The stories of Florence, Nell and Dougie are utterly captivating, as they unfold, collide and intertwine, revealing secrets, tragedies and unexpected connections.

Little Wing by Freya North | Waterstones Little Wing by Freya North | Waterstones

North gets to the heart of relationships very well. They are messy, glorious, heart-breaking, soul soothing and complex. Nell's relationship with her mum Wendy (who had very challenging mental health issues) gave so much more depth to Nell's personality and patience. Nell was overflowing with love and kindness, she had dedicated her life to working with and supporting those who needed it most. It was this inherent kindness that made me really fond of Nell. Little Wing shares the story of a pregnant teenager who is sent away from her family to give birth. Years later, Nell (the child) is a young adult and concerned for her mom who suffers from dementia. Her mom’s ramblings cause Nell to question her past. Nell sets out for the Outer Hebrides in search of answers. While there, she crosses paths with Dougie and makes significant discoveries. Little Wing' was a steady read. I felt it began perhaps a little too slowly, but as the story gathered pace, I became invested in Nell's story and found that I was drawn to it more and more. Little Wing is a lovely read about family and the importance of place. It unfolds in dual timeframes. In 1969, a sixteen year old girl gets pregnant and is sent away to live with a relative in the Scottish Hebrides. In 2005, we meet Nell and Dougie, both in their 30s and living in Colchester and London respectively. Nell is running a cafe and dealing with her mother's early onset dementia. Dougie is a photographer who is battling depression. It's apparent that the three storylines will connect, but it's unclear how that will happen. In 2004 Nell Hartley, cafe owner in bustling Colchester, discovers something about herself and her family which will changer her life forever. She decides to try and find out more about this bombshell which has just impacted her world. But where does she start?Don’t you just love it when characters in a book become to feel like friends or family? That is precisely what happened with the characters in Little Wing, Nell and Dougie especially. They just brought such warmth to me, and I wanted nothing but the best outcome for them both.