The Colony by Audrey Magee
Book of the Week
‘The Colony’ by Audrey Magee reviewed by our very own Catalina (here in a beautiful book/outfit/window matching photo 😉)
‘Audrey Magee's "The Colony" left me deeply moved in so many ways! 🌟 This powerful novel introduces Mr. Loyd, an English artist seeking solace on a remote Irish island to immerse himself in his art.
His peace is however disrupted by the presence of Mr. Masson, a French linguist, who is studying the Gaelic language and its resistance to English influences.
Throughout the summer, Loyd and Masson engage in unpleasant exchanges about language, power, and colonialism. But what is really compelling is that both men might hold different views, but they do come to the island with their own agendas, united in their disregard for the wishes of the Irish people.
They arrive, upheave lives, reshape perspectives, and depart, leaving the island's inhabitants to grapple with the aftermath of their actions.
A striking illustration of this dynamic is seen in James, the island's youngest inhabitant, who draws inspiration from Loyd and dreams of escaping the island to showcase his own art in London. As the narrative develops, it becomes clear that Loyd's motives may not be entirely selfless, and he seems to use James's ambition to further his own artistic pursuits.
In short, Audrey Magee's compelling message serves as a poignant testament to the far-reaching atrocities of colonialism worldwide. 🌍✨ ‘
The book is in stock and if you drop by, Catalina will be more than happy to talk about this engaging novel.
Happy Monday friends - and happy reading!