Lamb Holm, one of the many isolated islands of the Orkney archipelago, may have a population of approximately three sheep but it was once home to five hundred Italian POWs. Captured in North Africa during the Second World War, they were sent to work on the construction of four Scottish causeways known as the Churchill Barriers. However, the prisoners soon became tired of assembling glorified chicken crossings and in their desire to create something more meaningful, built an Italian chapel from a disused wartime bunker. It is around this poetic historical framework that McKenzie weaves a narrative of hope and human perseverance with the chapel at its beating heart.Although at times McKenzie lays on the religious symbolism a little too heavily, her debut novel comes into its own with its subtle treatment of everyday struggles. While imprisoned protagonist Emilio engages in daily battles with the Scottish climate and pompous British officials, his childhood sweetheart, Rosa, is left on the Italian Home Front fighting not only Nazi control but her feelings for Pietro, a dangerous member of the resistance movement. Kirsten McKenzie flits lightly and skilfully between Orkney and Italy, and between the strands of her story of war-torn love, which she tells with sensitivity and colour. All in all, she will have you booking your ticket to the Chapel before you have even finished the book and quite frankly, Lamb Holm could do with the occasional visitor.
It's all about Amazon- you can get The Chapel at the Edge of the World for £9. You know you want to add it to your basket and PayPal it.
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