Sealskin

'Sealskin is an accomplished and intelligent novel, a fine piece of craftsmanship and a pleasure to read' Allan Massie * 'Bristow has taken a known myth, and created an enthralling, human love story. A profound achievement, and a stunning debut' Richard Bean * 'An extraordinary book: original, vivid, tender and atmospheric. Su Bristow's writing is fluid and flawless, and this is a story so deeply immersive that you emerge at the end, gasping for air' Iona Grey * 'I love books in which magic takes on a gritty reality, and Sealskin is just such a book. Dark and brooding and half-familiar, the tale steals over you till you're half-in, half-out of a dream' Jane Johnson * 'An evocative story, told with skill and beauty, that held me spellbound until the very last page' Amanda Jennings * 'On the face of it, Sealskin is a gentle tale, a lovely reworking of the selkie legend many of us have known and loved since childhood. Do not be fooled, dear reader; beneath this simple re-imagining lies a story as deep as the ocean the selkie comes from. I was captivated from the first page to the poignant last one, by the sympathetically drawn characters and a mesmerising sense of place. In between are moments of tragedy, moments of grace and redemption; the whole wrapped in Su Bristow's charismatic writing. This is a story that catches on the edge of your heart, leaving tiny scars; reminders of a journey into a beloved legend, the human lives caught up in it and the consequences of the choices they make. It is, quite simply, exceptional' Carole Lovekin * 'In this achingly beautiful retelling of the classic Scottish folk tale, Su Bristow brings psychological depth and great warmth to the characters, making the ending all the more heart-breaking. It's a story about the tensions of life in a tiny fishing community, about bullying and violence as well as the healing magic of nature. It's written smoothly and skilfully with not a word too many or a word too few. I absolutely loved it and can't recommend it highly enough' Gill Paul * 'A beautiful and bewitching read that haunted my thoughts for days. The sense of the sea, of this small community, of guilt is palpable. This is one of those books you place reverentially on your bookcase and envy those who are yet to dive in' Michael J. Malone * 'Sealskin is the most exquisite tale of love, forgiveness and magic. Inspired by the legends of the selkies, this gorgeous novel is a dark fairy tale, an ode to traditional storytelling, a tribute to the stories we loved hearing as children. But be warned - this is no happy-ever-after tale. The language is just glorious, poetic and rich but precise. And her characters - oh, they will remain in your heart long after you've closed the last page. Mairhi - especially since she never really "speaks" - is a beautiful mystery, but one who haunted me when I was between chapters. If this is her first, then I can't wait to read whatever Su Bristow bestows upon the literary world next' Louise Beech * 'Ms Bristow's skill in weaving a centuries-old tale into a current-day fiction novel and binding the two together is simply superbly done. Sealskin is boldly written, brilliantly told and a tale of legendary proportions' JM Hewitt * 'Sealskin is a magical and moral tale woven with a deft hand' Sara MacDonald * 'With its beautiful language and magical storytelling, Sealskin is a clear winner for me' Sophie Duffy