Arts / New novel to raise funds for Clan Cancer Support
The fiction book Kirsti’s Hus will be launched this weekend in Yell
A NEW book is being launched this weekend in Yell, with proceeds from sales going to Clan Cancer Support.
Lindsay Dowding, who moved to Shetland five years ago, has written the novel Kirsti’s Hus.
It will be launched at her home at The Nurse’s House in Reafirth, Mid Yell on Saturday and Sunday (16 and 17 November) between 11.30am and 5pm on both days, with folk able to drop in.
Copies will also be on sale at the Shetland Times Bookshop as well as at other outlets through Yell and Unst. It is also available online priced at £11.
The book’s blurb said Dowding has written the book as a “celebration of everything she has learned about the generosity, kindness and tradition of the people of the islands”.
Although the book is fictional the story has drawn inspiration from the Grimister area of Yell, and is set in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
The blurb adds: “She tells the story of Kirsten, a recently widowed mother of three young daughters, who had been born on Yell but now lives in Norfolk.
“When her mother dies just before Christmas, Kirsten returns to her family home for the funeral and is faced with a difficult decision, should she try to keep the house where generations of her family have lived or sell it?
“Her friend, Emelda helps her come to a decision which is welcomed by her daughters and her neighbours. As Christmas and New Year approach the kindness of their Shetland friends shines through the family’s sadness, and their shared celebrations are a comfort and a joy.”
Dowding added that there is a “certain spookiness that creeps in” as well.
The book is being published by Smokehouse Press in Norwich.
Dowding, a retired nurse, moved to Yell from Norfolk in 2019 with her husband John, and she knew Shetland well having visited the isles regularly for Wool Week.
She said she “loves the warmth of the people” in Shetland as well as the chance to get involved in the community
Clan meanwhile provides free support to anyone affected by cancer across north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.
More details on what the charity offers can be found here.
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