Little Wing by Freya North.
1969. Florence Lawson, a 16-year-old schoolgirl who dreams of being an artist, finds herself pregnant and banished to one of the most remote parts of the UK.
1986. Dougie Munro, searching for adventure, leaves the Isle of Harris – the island of his birth – for art college and a career in London as a photographer.
2005. Nell Hartley, content with her life managing a care-in-the-community cafe in Colchester, discovers a shocking truth about her family.
Between the sprawl of London, suburban Essex, and the wild, unpredictable Outer Hebrides, three lives collide and interweave as questions are asked and secrets surface. What happened to Florence? Why is Dougie now so reluctant to return home? How can Nell make peace with the lies she's been told?
A good read with good characters. Likeable story. 3*.

I've been a fan of Freya North's right back to the Sally days and this book reminded me of that early work, there's a dream like quality to the writing that makes it stand out from the crowd. Full of hope, forgiveness and ultimately joy, this is a tender, satisfying read

First book I’ve ever read by Freya North. Beautifully written. The story charts Nell’s discovery of her past as she finds out who her real mother is. It jumps between her mum finding out she is expect to Nell in the present. North deals with a number of sensitive subjects with care and it is clear she has done her research. Story is abit of a slow burn but I really enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading more of North’s books. I would recommend this book to others.

Going to have to go against the average review here because this book simply didn’t entertain me at all. I thought as a positive there were good characters in it but I just felt confused by it.

Oh my gosh - what a blindsider of a read! Emotional, poignant, tender, and with descriptive prose to die for, this hit me with all the feels. I expected light and fluffy and got instead the most affecting, absorbing story of identity, belonging and second chances. And the clincher: the ruggedly beautiful setting of the Outer Hebrides. I drowned in it and savored every word.

In Little Wing, Freya North gives us three unforgettable characters across two timelines: pregnant schoolgirl Florence, who is banished in 1969 to one of the farthest outposts of Scotland to deliver her baby; lonely, untethered Nell, who divides her time between care in the community and visiting her mentally impaired mother; and photographer Dougie, a man estranged from his roots and troubled by a painful past.

Linking all three protagonists is the island of Harris. And it is North’s lyrical depiction of this desolate place of rock and peat, of angry seas and ancient crofts, that both anchors her narrative and gives it a haunting, magical presence.

The stories of Florence, Nell and Dougie are utterly captivating, as they unfold, collide and intertwine, revealing secrets, tragedies and unexpected connections.

North has crafted her characters so boldly, so intricately; endowed them with qualities so inherently human, you cannot help but take them into your heart. I cared for all of three. For Florence, and her exile to a foreign place. For Nell and her heartbreaking search for the truth. And for Dougie and the scars that refuse to heal.

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.

A hugely accomplished work from an author who has honed her art to perfection.

What a stunning book! I loved the writing and there were so many moments where it broke my heart. I can't wait to read more by this author.

It’s been many years since I read a Freya North book and this is a real departure from the fluffy chick lit that she used to write. Unfortunately I preferred the fluffy chick lit. Chloe, Polly, Cat and the gang were favourites of mine back in the day. This book, however, is very slow and I didn’t get hooked into the plot or the characters. The writing get stilted and lacking in emotion.

Bliss. A beautiful story that takes you on a journey to the Outer Hebrides which is both emotional and relaxing at the same time, as you fall in love with the islands through the wonderful descriptive writing of Freya North. I have to admit that I have read all of Freya's books and have waited with bated breath for this book to be released and to be able to have read it before publication and review it has been very special, and I haven't been left disappointed it has lived unto my expectations. You can feel the emotion and joy that has been put into the story as the characters grow and you start to learn the own unique stories and how their lives are interwoven. I love the fact that it is the island that holds and binds them all together and its special magic weaves its spell around them all and starts to 'heal' them.
I think I can say this has to be my favourite book that she has written - up till now!!! Roll on the next one.

Freya North has always been a favourite of mine, and it’s rather a long time since she’s released a new book. I was fortunate enough to get an ARC copy of this book.

We follow the story of Nell, whose mum is in a care home, lost in her memories. Her mum keeps calling her Florence, and in Nell’s quest to find out about Florence, we follow her to Harris.

At the same time, we follow Florence’s story, the story of a pregnant teenager sent to a remote land.

We also meet the rather lovely Dougie, who has returned to Harris to face his own demons.

This is a delightful book. You are transported to the wild climes of Harris. You meet the locals, who talk in a delightful mix of Scots (which I understand, as a Scot) and Gaelic (which I don’t, but which is translated).

Florence has to find herself in Harris. Nell and Dougie both have to forgive themselves and allow themselves to trust again.

There are so many issues covered in this book, and they are covered so beautifully.

Nell’s people in Colchester are a wonderful bunch, the delightful staff of the Chaffinch, and Nell’s beautiful friendship with Frank.

I can’t recommend this book enough. It is wonderful

My goodness, what a wonderful story. The lives of Nell and Dougie collide in the Isle of Harris as Nell explores her heritage and solves the mystery of her birth whilst Dougie faces his past demons. The description of the island scenery and characters were wonderful.

It's years since I've read a Freya North novel...and what a treat 'Little Wing' was!
Two main characters, two different stories, Nell and Dougie are feeling lost and frustrated.
Nell's 'mother', Wendy, is settled in a nursing home suffering from advancing dementia, and her father is out of the picture . More recently, when Nell visits her mother, Wendy denies she ever had a daughter and thinks that Nell is someone called Florence.
Dougie meanwhile, a talented, but unfulfilled photographer of catalogue images, is similarly uninspired by life. Full of guilt, he avoids his father's telephone calls and makes excuses for not calling him back.
As the past begins to close in on them both, they find themselves travelling to a remote village called Harris in the Outer Hebrides; Nell to explore her family connections that have been long-buried with the woman she learns is her real mother; Dougie, for a long overdue stay to reconnect with his father, Gordon, and confront events that he has tried to ignore for too long. Inevitably, their paths are destined to cross!
'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.
The story has well-developed characters, depth and history , and I absolutely loved finding out more about a remote area of the UK.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review. I give this book 4 stars.

I loved this book - the story was gentle, it wasn’t dramatic or page turning but in this instance it was a good typing. It felt like an intentionally slow read - so you could savour the landscapes, stunning described and was the most beautiful part of the story.

Like every Freya North story before it, I absolutely loved this book. This is a story about acceptance and coming to terms with who you are, not where you have come from and we learn the story from several different characters.

There are gorgeous descriptions of Harris and the scenery of the Scottish isles, which had me poring over the maps online and imagining the windswept beaches and landscape, with all the beautifully-described colours. I also learnt a lot about photography as a science, as well as an art form.

The difficulty of mental illness is dealt with in a sympathetic and believable way and I particularly enjoyed the depiction of the fierce love for a daughter that only a mother would understand.

This book is definitely recommended.

Oh how I have missed Freya North’s writing! I was worried that after such a hiatus between books that I wouldn’t enjoy her writing as much, but I worried in vain as it’s just as delightfully descriptive and gently beautiful as it ever was.
We follow Nell, aka Little Wing, in her discovery about her birth mother and consequent search for answers to how she came to be. Along the way we hear about her mother’s mental illness and early onset dementia, which totally resonated with me.
We also meet Dougie and learn about the struggles he is dealing with after a major event in his life some years ago.
The whole book is written with so much heart, it really is a beauty to behold. I’m sure the characters will stay with me for a long time to come.

I couldnt put this down, it is so well written with well developed and endearing characters that I couldnt stop thinking about and a setting that I loved. It was tense, atmospheric and twisty, it kept me guessing all the way through
A really enjoyable read.

I’ve just loved discovering Flora and Nell, and their beautiful Harris homeland, and it’s been the perfect book to get me out of a bit of a reading slump. Touching and emotive but never mushy and over-sentimental, Little Wing drew me into the lives of so many memorable characters, I’m convinced they’re all out there somewhere getting on with their lives, especially the Chaffinch flock. There’s only one problem: I can’t stop craving fish & chips and walnut whips!

NORTH IS BACK AND ON TOP FORM.
I've long been a fan of Freya North and then she disappeared. Every so often I'd search her up but... forget all that.
Little Wing is very different from her previous books. The writing is different too, stronger. The plot intriguing, twisting from the past to the present with an ease only found in an accomplished wordsmith. 5 stars and...don't disappear again!

I don’t often read books based in the 1060’s but I’m glad I did this time. It was a great book and I wanted to just keep reading.

I haven’t read Freya North in years, so I was intrigued to start this.

Nell, 35, is the model daughter, manager, carer and friend.

Her mother Wendy is deep in the throes of dementia, and often forgets who Nell is. After a shock revelation, it’s clear Nell isn’t sure who she is either.

This is a perfect tale for you if you are quite sentimental and into multi-generational stories.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have really liked all this authors books and this was no exception, a real feel good read, great storyline and great characters.