Charlotte McConaghyMigrations

This book is very well written and engaging. It also disturbs our view of our world.

'Migrations' is set in the near future, when many species have become extinct due to environmental damage. Franny Stone, a restless person by nature, is determined to follow the migration of the last few arctic terns as they make their epic journey from Greenland to Antarctica. With no money or transport, her only option is to persuade one of the few remaining fishing crews to join her mission, in the hope the terns will lead them to undiscovered catches. As the story unfolds, Franny's past is gradually revealed and we understand what she is running from, and why she wants to join the terns on their journey.The novel is easily readable and conjures up the different locations very well. The action moves between the present (Franny's efforts to follow the migration) and Franny's backstory. Franny is a likeable enough protagonist and there are some good supporting characters. The storyline isn't entirely surprising, but there's enough intrigue to keep you interested and plot around the migrating birds is a good device to keep things moving. I was somewhat invested in Franny and wanted her to succeed, although I wasn't extremely emotionally connected in the way I can be with some books (which is why the novel gets four stars instead of five).It would be a good holiday read, with its travel and nature based themes. And if nothing else it will give you an appreciation for arctic terns - which really are wonderful little birds.

This book is marvellous. I felt every word. It is just so beautifully written and a truly immersive reading experience. The characters of Fanny and the side characters of the crew are layered, and their lives don’t just consist of the events in the story; you can tell that each character has a fully rounded out world of their own with the events in the book being just one part of their lives. The atmosphere is breathtaking, both in terms of the descriptions of the physical world in the book, and also emotively rich and deep. This book felt like a telling of real events that, as the reader, I felt like I was watching in real time. The writing is beautiful, with perfect consideration of pacing and action. There were no moments that felt like they were pushed together or dragged. It’s spectacularly well-written. I struggle to find fault in this book, even the ending left me in a sense of serene awestruck wonder.

This was a beautifully written and poignant book. It took a while to get going and it was quite slow moving but it suited the subject of the book so I still enjoyed it.

I thought I would hate this book but in the end I really liked it. The premise is intense as is the main character, she's damaged, depressed, determined and sad.

This book is almost nothing to do with Arctic terns, or indeed any other dying wild species. It is entirely centred on human beings, which is ironic , as the book claims that human self centredness is the earths problem. A quite unpleasant young woman lies and cheats her way through an increasingly far fatched series of events until she finally finds her missing birds and then promptly tries to drown herself. The environmental message felt like an "issue of the day" add on.

The part of this book that imagines a world of environmental degradation that we fear is compelling and moving. The other part that focuses on the narrator is sometimes engaging as the mystery around her interest in the natural world unravels. An unavoidable downside is the narrator who is largely a walking cliché, to the point where you will laugh at some of her behaviour and thoughts even though it’s not supposed to be funny. If you can get over that you’ll enjoy this book.

Book is intact, but is extremely faded like it’s been left out in the sun, on every page though curiously… I often by ‘used’ but thought this was a new one and considering it was only published last summer, it’s very odd as to why it looks over a decade old!?

This dystopian story spans Australia, Ireland, Antarctica, and all realms of the heart in between. The main character, Franny, seems to unravel as the pages go on. Her tale is told in real time and in flashbacks. Her marriage to Niall is heartbreaking, with one of the central dichotomies being loving, wandering, and leaving. There are truly unexpected twists and turns that left me breathless. It's wrenching to read but ultimately cathartic and triumphant.

It hurts to read such a hard and beautiful story but you must go through it and wonder why. For birds' lovers and for mind dwellers.

Amazing

Dieses Buch war ein Geburtstagsgeschenk, hab die Rückmeldung bekommen, dass es sehr spannend war.

A beautiful and touching story. Worth reading and rereading.Paperback version - The book arrived in good condition and the print size is good.