Recommendations Inspired by The Bass Rock

I was recently lucky enough to receive a copy of The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld for review (thanks to the lovely folk at Vintage) and I completely adored it. It follows three different women over three time periods. I've added the details below if your curious, but I was reminded of some other wonderful books while reading, that have similar themes and I thought I'd share them here as some of them aren't discussed as much as I feel they should be.

Blurb:

Surging out of the sea, the Bass Rock has for centuries watched over the lives that pass under its shadow on the Scottish mainland. And across the centuries the fates of three women are linked: to this place, to each other.

In the early 1700s, Sarah, accused of being a witch, flees for her life.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Ruth navigates a new house, a new husband and the strange waters of the local community.

Six decades later, the house stands empty. Viv, mourning the death of her father, catalogues Ruth's belongings and discovers her place in the past - and perhaps a way forward.

Each woman's choices are circumscribed, in ways big and small, by the men in their lives. But in sisterhood there is the hope of survival and new life. Intricately crafted and compulsively readable, The Bass Rock burns bright with anger and love. Click here for the Waterstones link.

So, here are some other titles that I wanted to share in case you've read The Bass Rock and would like something similar.

Half Wild by Robin MacArthur is a short story collection that I've recommended before on my blog, but I've not seen many other people talk about it. If you enjoy stories about nature and the complexity of humanity, loneliness and survival, these short tales are sometimes funny or heart breaking, but always compelling. Click here for more info and publisher website.

This was one of my favourite books of 2018 (the year I read it, not publication) and follows a couple who live in a large, remote country house and a woman who moves to the UK and begins to work with them on their various business ventures. Again, there's a heavy theme of nature - one of the ventures is taxidermy - but this also looks at relationships and how they change. Click here for more info on Waterstones website.

I'll admit I only knew Susan Hill's name from The Woman in Black (which I'm yet to read) by my mum lent me this novel a few years ago and it was exquisite. It's a short book about grief and how one woman finds her way through that. It's quiet and beautiful, and I think you may like it if you enjoy the Bass Rock. Click here for more info on the hive website.

I was lucky enough to be included on the blog tour for this novel, so you'll find a full review on my blog (click here). As well as having a gorgeous cover, this novel delves further into the mystical element which is hinted at within Evie Wyld's story. If you enjoy a story where you are turning the pages to find out what's real and what's not, Pine has a wonderfully gothic feeling to it. Click here for more info on the hive website.

This is another novel that I have reviewed in the past (click here) and another that has that beautifully mystical and gothic atmosphere, without being magical. I was spellbound by this story and look forward to picking up Abi Maxwell's other work as soon as I can. Click here for more info on the hive website.

The Bass Rock has a slight theme of witchcraft (as you know from the blurb) and there are plenty of books I could recommend on that vein. I don't read much young adult fiction, but I love a novel with a witchy theme. This is one of the most recent I've read, and one that I found really enjoyable. It's also set in Scotland, so seemed quite fitting to put here. Click here for more info on the hive website.

So, there are some ideas for other authors to check out if you have been drawn in by the buzz for The Bass Rock, and if you've not yet then I urge you to read Evie Wyld. These books all share various themes that I love within fiction, so hopefully there's something to keep you interested during these weird times of lockdown and beyond.

Happy reading :)