The Fisherman's Gift by Julia R. Kelly

 Set in 1900 Skerry – a small Scottish fishing village, where a child’s arrival, washed up at shore, shakes this tight-knit community.

Dorothy takes the temporary care of the child. Despite the resemblance, she knows it can’t be her child lost to waters years earlier, same age as this boy now. 

The story goes back in time, and at first, is narrated between two women. Dorothy when she comes to this tiny village as a teacher and how she is mocked by other women for no reason and how isolated she feels. And Agnes, who has her eyes on Joseph, but Joseph has his eyes on the newcomer. 

The past narrative of Dorothy and Joseph reveals touchingly the story of Moses, Dorothy’s son, and who the father is. The present narrative uncovers the story of the mysterious boy.

There is much more to the storyline, uncovering human relationships, how we assume things, instead of asking questions. How those assumptions can lead to wrong decisions, lasting lifetime. There is also mother’s grief of losing a child. The backstories are poignantly woven, touching on human emotions. 

As the story progresses, it moves to other people’s narrative and it continues to switch between present and past time. It may sound overwhelming with different points of view and two timelines but it’s not. It’s very clearly narrated.  

The storyline is absorbing. The prose is splendid. The chapters are short, making the pages flip quickly. 

It might sound as a sad story in its entirety but there is something heart-warming about discovering oneself, finding the way through grief, opening oneself once again to others. And what one receives in return when becoming vulnerable, can bring rewards one may not have even imagined.   

Released in March 2025

Source: Simon & Schuster