Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
British Library Publishing (2019), 214 pages
Description
This is the world of universal future war. Faced with the threat of bombs, bacteriological warfare and poison gas, a married couple whose pacificism complels them to opt out of 'civilisation', take to the hills to live as fugitives in the wild.Plainly and simply told, Wild Harbour charts the practical difficulties, the successes and failures of living rough in the beautiful hills of remote Speyside. In this respect the book belongs to a tradition of Scottish fiction reflected in novels such as Stevenson's Kidnapped and Buchan's John MacNab. But it takes a darker and more contemporary turn, for although Hugh and his wife Terry learn to fend for themselves, they cannot escape from what the world has become. Their brief summer idyll is brought to an end as the forces of random and meaningless violence close over them.Written in 1936, Wild Harbour has lost none of its relevance in a post-nuclear age, nor its power to move and shock.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Nickelini
This short novel was written in 1936 but set in 1944. Hugh and his wife Terry want nothing to do with the coming war and the violence that it promises, so they escape to hide in the mountains of central Scotland. The first part of the book describes mostly their efforts to survive in the
This is one of the more obscure novels from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list, which is too bad, as I think it would appeal to a wider audience. There is something haunting about this story, and I know that it will stick with me. Probably its weakest part for me is some of the dialogue, as the two main characters spoke as if they were in panic mode through most of the book (but didn't act panicky).
Recommended for: Fans of the Canadian TV show "Survivor Man." People who like literary adventure stories.
Note: There is a typo in 1001 Books Before You Die, as it says the book is set in 1914 instead of 1944. That would change the whole meaning of the book. Also note that the Canongate Edition, the Introduction by John Burns contains major spoilers.
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wilderness. Slowly though, there are signs that the war has gone as badly as they expected and they have to face what they have avoided. This is one of the more obscure novels from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list, which is too bad, as I think it would appeal to a wider audience. There is something haunting about this story, and I know that it will stick with me. Probably its weakest part for me is some of the dialogue, as the two main characters spoke as if they were in panic mode through most of the book (but didn't act panicky).
Recommended for: Fans of the Canadian TV show "Survivor Man." People who like literary adventure stories.
Note: There is a typo in 1001 Books Before You Die, as it says the book is set in 1914 instead of 1944. That would change the whole meaning of the book. Also note that the Canongate Edition, the Introduction by John Burns contains major spoilers.
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LibraryThing member japaul22
This is an interesting book written in 1936. The action is set inn 1944 and revolves around one couple's reaction to an impending war. MacPherson predicts this timing pretty accurately. This couple, Terry and Hugh, find a cave in the Scottish wilderness and decide to leave their home to camp out
I found this book conceptually interesting, but highly annoying to read. The format is as a diary written by Hugh. The dialogue is atrocious and hyperbolic. Not really for me, but I was interested to know the book exists and at least it was short.
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here while the war happens. They feel a sense of deserting their fellow man, but feel more strongly that they don't want to participate again in a world war after experiencing WWI. They spend a few months learning to survive in the wilderness but then find themselves in the middle of the war anyway and death and violence encroaches on their attempt at isolation.I found this book conceptually interesting, but highly annoying to read. The format is as a diary written by Hugh. The dialogue is atrocious and hyperbolic. Not really for me, but I was interested to know the book exists and at least it was short.
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LibraryThing member mkboylan
Three stars and yet, I'm glad I read it. Not the best reading I've experienced, but very interesting information. Hugh and Terry are married and live in pre WWII Scotland. As they see others joining up they have to decide: will they support the war, will they kill, can they support the war without
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killing? The questions they must face are alone worth the read. Can they survive being ostracized for their beliefs? Can they survive killing others? Can they survive, period? So the basic question seems to be what will be more difficult, killing or not killing? How will they fair if they live against their own beliefs? Heck what ARE their beliefs? They are going to learn a LOT about themselves because of course, it is a lot more complicated than that.This fictitious account describes their life literally in the wilds, scrounging for food and shelter and making a life for themselves. Will they stick with their initial decision? This is a multi-faceted story. Show Less
LibraryThing member sushicat
In this book, written in 1936, WW2 starts in 1944. Weeks before it starts, Hugh and Terry sit with their friend Duncan and consider alternatives to fighting in another useless, senseless, cruel war. The couple decides to retreat to the barren wilderness of their native Scotland. Duncan is convinced
I liked many things in the book. I liked the vivid descriptions of the land and of the struggles to live out there, day to day, just the two of them. I liked how their live apart from their fellow human beings affected them. I liked the writing. But I missed a bit more depth to the moral considerations that brought them there and the implications of keeping apart.
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man cannot survive in the wilds anymore. Terry and Hugh make plans to go to a cave they found far into the hills. The format is the intermittent dairy of Hugh during their stay in the cave. He looks back at how they gathered necessities, transferred it all to the cave and started to make a precarious living. He tells of successes and failure; of the happy days and the days of despair.I liked many things in the book. I liked the vivid descriptions of the land and of the struggles to live out there, day to day, just the two of them. I liked how their live apart from their fellow human beings affected them. I liked the writing. But I missed a bit more depth to the moral considerations that brought them there and the implications of keeping apart.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Wild Harbour by Ian Macpherson was originally published in 1936 as the world is gearing up for war and the future is bleak. This book tells the story of a married couple, Hugh and Terry, who decide to opt out of civilized life and flee the brutality of war and seek a new life in the wilderness.
Part political statement, part survival manual, Wild Harbour is also a love story and the commitment between these two people gives the book it’s emotional impact. The setting is the wild and beautiful Scottish Highlands which unfortunately still isn’t far enough away to allow these pacifists to avoid what is happening. As the story unfolds through diary entries, we can sense the total collapse of society is on the horizon.
I found this book to be short, simple and devastating. The author’s vision of a futuristic war of bombs, poison gas and biological weapons is dark, but considering the path that mankind has taken quite accurate. Wild Harbour makes a powerful and haunting statement.
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Part political statement, part survival manual, Wild Harbour is also a love story and the commitment between these two people gives the book it’s emotional impact. The setting is the wild and beautiful Scottish Highlands which unfortunately still isn’t far enough away to allow these pacifists to avoid what is happening. As the story unfolds through diary entries, we can sense the total collapse of society is on the horizon.
I found this book to be short, simple and devastating. The author’s vision of a futuristic war of bombs, poison gas and biological weapons is dark, but considering the path that mankind has taken quite accurate. Wild Harbour makes a powerful and haunting statement.
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LibraryThing member amerynth
Given that I like a good outdoorsy survival story, I thought for sure that I would like Ian MacPherson's "Wild Harbour," but it really didn't appeal to me. It's interesting from a historical perspective -- as it was written in 1936 and predicted a major world war was coming... the survival story
The novel follows Terry and Hugh, a couple who decide to head to the hills and live in a cave instead of allowing Hugh to be drafted to fight in the war.
The big problem with this book definitely lies with the characters who were melodramatic and bordering on hysterical... it was hard to believe they would have any chance of surviving a few days in the woods. I rolled my eyes at every "Oh, Terry!" In life, I know a few people who could survive in a cave (and a few I'd like to send to one...) and none are anything like these flimsy characters.
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itself wasn't all that enjoyable.The novel follows Terry and Hugh, a couple who decide to head to the hills and live in a cave instead of allowing Hugh to be drafted to fight in the war.
The big problem with this book definitely lies with the characters who were melodramatic and bordering on hysterical... it was hard to believe they would have any chance of surviving a few days in the woods. I rolled my eyes at every "Oh, Terry!" In life, I know a few people who could survive in a cave (and a few I'd like to send to one...) and none are anything like these flimsy characters.
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LibraryThing member JBD1
Written in 1936 but set in 1944, with war raging in rural Scotland and a couple takes to the hills to avoid the conflict. Stark, striking, and beautifully written.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1936