A sparse but beautiful book where the setting feels almost like a character. I only wish I could have had more time with this book.

I was not surprised that Carys Davies was able to pull off the same level of emotional depth as she did in West, while using such an economy of words. While her language choices seem deceptively simple, it is, indeed, the work of a poet to be able to convey meaning with such brevity. Consider this beautiful, picturesque description:

… he followed with his satchel, picking his way over the rocks like a tall, slightly undernourished wading bird, thin black hair blowing vertically in the persisting wind…

It is also not unexpected that language, itself, plays a key thematic role in this book.

The author also accomplishes the introduction of two of Scotland’s great historic social upheavals – without relying on info dumps or preachy rhetoric.

What’s more, Davies does a fantastic job of planting the “Oh, $hit… what is he going to do now?” question in the reader’s mind. And I have to say, I was pretty surprised by the ending.

This is a story about the slow building of love in many forms (the way the author handles this is so palpable, real and believable – with a gentle slowness that we can feel deep in our hearts). There is no telling in this book. Really enjoyed. Quick read, only 196 pages.

If you’re looking for a short novel that will keep you engaged, this is it. I couldn’t wait to see how this one would end, so it was a fast read. The writing was very pretty, and the ending was definitely unexpected.

Davies took two real historic events and built a story around them. In the 1840’s a group of Scottish ministers turned from the mainstream church to begin their own sect. Unfortunately, they had no financial backing for building their own places of worship. John is one of these ministers who has no income and desperately needs funds. When he gets an opportunity to earn some money, he takes it. All he needs to do is get one man named Ivar to vacate the island home he’s occupied all his life. Ivar is the solitary, longtime resident of an island off the coast of Scotland. Now the landowner has plans for the island and wants the lone occupant evicted. Such evictions were once an actual practice, targeting many peasants caught up in the gentry’s relocation efforts called the Scottish Clearances.

Davies imagines two men alone on an island, both unable to talk to the other because of a language barrier. Ivar finds John, an injured interloper who had been dropped off and seriously hurt in an accident, and nurses him to health. As the patient recovers, he fails to indicate why he is there. In time the two men begin to communicate in a rudimentary way and John feels guilt over his intentions and his secrecy. Slowly, they establish a companionable existence.

Things get complicated as weeks go by and the deadline for Ivar to leave, fast approaches. There are secrets held by both men and their relationship becomes strained. Part of the problem involves John’s wife, her portrait and her presence. What the novel demonstrates is two men caught up in a world that demands adherence to expectations. They must follow the dictates of the rules and their personal interests do not come into play. Davies explores the connection between two men, isolated from society, and establishing their own mutual support system.

The story has a solid foundation and the two main characters are victims of their circumstances. Unfortunately, the book’s ending fails to bring a dramatic conclusion. Like the men, the action is lowkey and there’s a sense of complacency. Go along to get along could be the motto of the men. What started out as a strong premise slowed down midway and ended on a flat note.

I wasn’t able to review this book before it’s publish date but now that I have read it I am giving it 4 stars.

A lovely short novel that took me a bit of time to get into, but once everything came together in the end I was left thinking about the book and it's themes for days afterward. I love the characters and the simple writing style that Davies uses to explore the life on the island and the connection the two men in the story make. It's a story about language and connection and love and faith and many more things and it is a wonderful little read.

It is hard to discuss what I loved about this novella without spoilers, but I will try. Our setting is the Scottish Clearances of the 1840s, during which landowners began removing unprofitable tenants so that they could instead use the areas for sheep grazing. Cash-strapped Presbyterian minister, John, accepts an assignment to remove Ivar, one such tenant who lives humbly on a rugged, isolated patch of land and only speaks Norn. Shortly after he arrives, John slips and seriously injures himself, and as Ivar cares for him, the two forge a surprising connection. Davies’ prose is spare but profound – this is for fans of Claire Keegan and I can’t think of a higher compliment than that. I hope this wins all of the awards! And it can be read in one sitting! So, what are you waiting for?

This was a powerful little book, beautifully written and crafted. A literary treasure for our library.

The writing in this novella was beautiful. I loved how the author described the setting. I felt transported to another time and place. The slow paced and introspective story challenged me to slow down and savor the words. It is filled with isolation, longing, and tenderness. The history covered at the end of the book was also interesting.

This small little novel is stunningly beautiful and quiet in a way I have not experienced in a long time. We follow each main character in short, alternating chapters until their paths cross. And once they do, the pall of loneliness swiftly begins to thaw for both of them. Despite not knowing each others' language (and despite both hiding something very important), the two form a bond strengthened by discovery and mutual vulnerability.

I read this book in basically 4 sittings, and I could not get enough of it. Davies writes with such incredible skill and distills so much into her brevity. I really appreciated that this book confronts the history of land evictions in Britain (which is hand-in-hand with Enclosure and the Industrial Revolution), since I've not seen that before in fiction.

I absolutely plan to buy my own copy, and I will be recommending this to many friends & patrons from here on out.

During the 1840s, the government evicted people off of the islands off of mainland Scotland. This is known as the Scottish Clearances. Clear is about a Scottish minister, John Ferguson, who gets the job of telling a man, Ivar, that he has to leave his home. Ivar is the only occupant on one of the islands north off of Scotland. Despite language differences, John & Ivar form a connection & become close despite the circumstances.

The author went into a lot of detail, you could see everything that was described & really imagine the scene, so that part was great. What I didn’t like was the ending, which I think was really unrealistic & not very likely for the 1840s.

I liked the story but did lose interest in this one. I would love to read more books by this author. The scenery and time are well written.

The writing is sparse and beautiful and you feel like you are on the small island off Scotland with John and Ivar. I was completely swept up in this short beautiful tale.

Clear by Carys Davies takes us to 1843, Scotland in the final stages of the Scottish Clearances during which rural inhabitants from the Scottish Highlands were forcefully evicted to clear the lands for sheep pastoralism. As the story begins, we meet Reverend John Ferguson, an impoverished minister struggling to raise funds for his congregation, who has accepted a well-paying “temporary factoring” assignment. His task entails surveying the terrain of a remote island north of Scotland for its adequacy to meet the requirements landowners have planned and “clear” the island of its sole inhabitant, a man by the name of Ivar whose remaining family has long since left the island. Clear by Carys Davies is a stunning novel that transports you to the Scottish Highlands with its vividly described settings and into the hearts of its characters in sparse yet lyrical prose. The narrative is presented from the perspectives of John, Ivar and Mary and touches upon themes of solitude, isolation and how human connection can be forged in mysterious ways.

Many thanks to Scribner for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+ It is CLEAR that this is the best book I’ve read all year. A new favorite.

Many thanks to @scribnerbooks for the gifted advance reader’s copy.

It is hard to discuss what I loved about this novella without spoilers, but I will try. Our setting is the Scottish Clearances of the 1840s, during which landowners began removing unprofitable tenants so that they could instead use the areas for sheep grazing. Cash-strapped Presbyterian minister, John, accepts an assignment to remove Ivar, one such tenant who lives humbly on a rugged, isolated patch of land and only speaks Norn. Shortly after he arrives, John slips and seriously injures himself, and as Ivar cares for him, the two forge a surprising connection. Davies’ prose is spare but profound – this is for fans of Claire Keegan and I can’t think of a higher compliment than that. I hope this wins all of the awards! And it can be read in one sitting! So, what are you waiting for?

Clear by Carris Davis is about John Ferguson who is desperately looking for work and here’s about a job through his nephew when he and his wife arrive it’s the 1840s when those owning Scottish Estates are turning out the poor and the guy hiring John has cleared everyone off of his little island except one person a man named eIver. John’s wife Mary is hesitant but John is a pastor and has his faith and after all he gave his word. When we meet Iver he is at his home on the little island between Scotland and I think Norway? He has a rigid schedule his faithful horse and he’s out tending to his daily duties when he sees things he believes to be washed up but soon sees a man passed out that has fallen off one of the islands cliffs. Iver hasn’t spoken to anyone in years and John has never met a man like him but John is a smart man and soon adapts to his host way of life. While this is going on Mary is back in Scotland starting to worry about her husband he was supposed to be gone a Fortnite at the most and that time has come and gone. This is such a beautiful story of connection in the human spirit between Ivers with his pocket full of memories and Mary’s picture in Mary’s determination to get her husband back. I thought for certain I had read a book by this author before but I cannot find it not on her profile nor mine but I will definitely be reading books by her in the future. This is a great historical fiction book based on a real time place and event and although there’s some insinuation of nefarious deeds there’s none spelled out in the book and I thought she told N awesome respectful story and one I definitely definitely loved!#Scribner, #NetGalley, #CarissaDavis, #Clear,

A hauntingly beautiful novel set on the rugged landscape of 1840’s Scotland. The novel explores resilience, change, and hope. Atmospheric with deliberate pacing.
Many thanks to Scribner and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved Clear! I recently read Davies' story collection and was intrigued to read more. Clear is a quiet novel but has some element of suspense as to how John's time on the island will end. I loved her play with language as well as wonderful details of the nature of the island.

What a beautiful subtle novel. I have been in love with Carys Davis' writing since the first book I read of hers, and this book absolutely did not disappoint. I loved how tender this novel was in every aspect. And that ending which I didn't see coming, but in retrospect made absolutely perfect sense. I loved this. Instant favorite.

I really enjoyed this story and thought the author did a great job of bringing the remote island location to life. I loved the friendship that develops between the characters and I loved the ending; it was a happy ending and unexpected. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.