Julia Kelly’s »The Fisherman's Gift« is a touching story set in a snow-covered Scottish fishing village during the winter of 1900. The tale starts when a young boy washes up on the beach, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Dorothy, a teacher still grappling with the loss of her own son to the sea years ago. As Dorothy takes the boy under her wing, the village becomes tangled in a web of secrets and emotions that intersect with her past and present.

The book captures the vibe of a close-knit community, where whispers and gossip flow like the tides. The air is tense, yet there are moments of tenderness as Dorothy navigates her grief and a growing connection with Joseph, a solitary fisherman. Their interactions are filled with unspoken emotions and shared pain, weaving an emotional tapestry that truly resonates.

Kelly's writing style is poetic yet easy to follow, pulling readers into early 20th-century Scotland. Her characters are well-rounded, especially Dorothy, whose journey from heartache to hope feels authentic and inspiring. Joseph makes for an intriguing counterpart; his quiet fortitude and depth add layers to their evolving relationship.

While the novel shines in character development and emotional depth, some may find the pacing a bit slow at times. However, this leisurely pace lets Kelly delve deeper into themes like loss, love, and community dynamics. The gradual revelation of secrets keeps readers hooked, even if it calls for some patience.

»The Fisherman's Gift« stands out not only as a love story but as a reflection on how communities handle grief and the transformative power of human connection.

It's a genuinely moving read – a book I really loved and think you will too.

In the winter of 1900, Dorothy Gray arrives a small Scottish fishing village to take up the post of school mistress in the village school. After a difficult childhood with an overbearing mother she does not find it easy to make friends and is happy to tell herself that she doesn't mind the villagers think her stuck up and stuffy.
Roll on a good few years and in another storm a small boy is washed up on the beach, something that has a profound affect on the villages as secrets begin to unravel and they begin to revisit events from the past.
This is a beautifully and powerfully told story of loss and grief, of love, secrets and misunderstandings in which the settings and weather play nearly as bigger role as the characters.
Very moving - a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
With thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage for an early copy in return for an honest review.

The discovery of a child washed up on the sands after a winter storm is a catalyst for the inhabitants of a tiny Scottish village to revisit events in the past which have had a profound impact on members of their community. The Fisherman’s Gift is a story that is both bleak and beautiful and so evocative of both the time and place in which it is set. Fantastic writing; highly recommended.

It's astounding that this is a debut novel because the writing style is so haunting and beautiful and the tightly woven storylines between these characters in a small Scottish village are so intricate. There is a sense of melancholy throughout but I loved that there were glimmers of lightness for the various characters towards the hopeful open ending. My heart absolutely ached for Dorothy throughout. I'll be looking out for future work from Julia Kelly!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful story. Hard to believe that this is a debut novel as it is so well written.
When you read this you will need a few tissues but it is so worth it.

It's been a while since I read such a beautiful book. Poignant and heart breaking at times, but ultimately redemptive. The characters are deftly drawn and I felt that I knew them: Dorothy the teacher, whose awkward introduction as she met the women in the village shop seals her fate, and charismatic fisherman Joseph.

So moving, so beautifully written and with a gorgeous, evocative setting. This book broke my heart, and I loved it!

What a wonderful read! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this review copy.
Beautifully written, poignant, sad, lost loves, forgiveness, friendship- all covered in this story set on a remote Scottish island, where the bleakness and beauty is vividly portrayed. This is a real treat of a book and I enjoyed it immensely.

What a beautiful, beautiful book!
A hard winter in 1900 and a small Scottish fishing village is the backdrop for this story of loss and grief, of love, secrets and misunderstandings.
A child is found and this is the catalyst to the locals all having to address their past behaviour and ask some hard questions of what went before.
At the heart is Dorothy who battles her deep-seated grief after the loss of her own child and also Joseph, a local fisherman, whose life is entwined with hers.
The tension rises as the story moves into the later stages and I don't mind admitting I was sobbing as I read some of the last passages.

A truly immersive and poignant story that offers hope while it breaks your heart. Not many books have the power to stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Without doubt, this is one of them.

Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Kelly and to Harvill Secker for the opportunity to read this early copy.