
The life of a fisherman is hard and simple.'Mondays to Fridays he takes his boat to sea, Saturdays he takes his thirst to the pub, and Sundays he takes his wife to bed.'A climbing holiday has brought David Jones to the west coast of Scotland, and stays. Fate has introduced him to Donald. As the days grow into weeks, he finds that fishing for lobster and herring is unlike anything he has known before. The days of his strict chapel-going home in Wales are far behind him. Fishing has become his one obsession. In this new world, rugged, and sometimes hilarious, David makes his progress from 'Green Hand' to skilled fisherman.Green Hand is the first novel by Lillian Beckwith, whose other books about her life in the Hebrides are all best-sellers.
A Welsh visitor to the Scottish coast abandons his former life to master the demanding and unpredictable trade of a commercial fisherman. David Jones arrives in the Hebrides for a climbing holiday but finds himself drawn into the local maritime culture through his friendship with a seasoned fisherman named Donald. The narrative follows David as he navigates the physical rigors of lobster and herring fishing, contrasting his new, rugged environment with the strict religious upbringing he left behind in Wales. The story tracks his transformation from an inexperienced outsider, or 'Green Hand,' into a capable member of the local fleet. The prose captures the daily rhythms of coastal life and the specific challenges of working on the North Atlantic waters.
Readers frequently highlight the authentic portrayal of Hebridean life and the author's ability to balance humor with the stark realities of the fishing trade. Discussion often centers on the protagonist's internal shift as he sheds his past constraints to embrace a more visceral, labor-intensive existence. Critics often note the atmospheric quality of the setting, which serves as a central character in the narrative. The pacing is generally described as steady, reflecting the repetitive yet demanding nature of the work described in the text. Many readers appreciate the focus on the camaraderie found within the small, isolated community of fishermen.
Page Count:
224
Publication Date:
1969-11-01
Publisher:
Arrow Bks.
ISBN-10:
0090025008
ISBN-13:
9780090025008
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!