Little Wing

Little Wing

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  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-01-08 00:51:37
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Freya North
  • ISBN：1787397602
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Summary

Little Wing is the powerful story of two families over three generations。

In the 1960s， a pregnant 16-year-old is banished to one of the remotest parts of the UK。 Years later， Nell and Dougie are both at critical moments in their lives when their paths cross。 Between Camden， Colchester and the Outer Hebrides， the three story lines collide when secrets are uncovered and answers sought。

Little Wing is a novel about resilience， forgiveness and the true meaning of family， about finding one's place in the world and discovering how we all belong somewhere and to someone。

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Reviews

Sue Jenkins ，

I read this with Pigeonhole over 10 days and it was an amazing story。 Beautiful writing with characters you really care about。 It was very moving and sad in parts， but truly uplifting and I would recommend it wholeheartedly。 Thanks Pigeon and Freya

Vanessa Wild ，

Set in Colchester， Camden and the Isle of Harris， this is is a story of two strangely connected families。 It’s told by way of Nell and Dougie， a couple of misplaced people， beginning in 1969 and spanning nearly four decades。 It’s beautifully and lyrically written。 The vivid descriptions of Harris really made me want to visit， they are so evocative and atmospheric。 It’s an emotional read and really tugs at your heartstrings。 It’s a tale about love， friendship， acceptance， forgiveness and finding Set in Colchester， Camden and the Isle of Harris， this is is a story of two strangely connected families。 It’s told by way of Nell and Dougie， a couple of misplaced people， beginning in 1969 and spanning nearly four decades。 It’s beautifully and lyrically written。 The vivid descriptions of Harris really made me want to visit， they are so evocative and atmospheric。 It’s an emotional read and really tugs at your heartstrings。 It’s a tale about love， friendship， acceptance， forgiveness and finding out where you belong in the world。 I have one negative viewpoint - although I really enjoyed Little Wing， for me it did drag a little in the middle but， ultimately， it is heartwarming and poignant。 It’s the first time I’ve read a book by Freya North for quite a few years so it was lovely to revisit this author’s writing via the Pigeonhole app。 I look forward to seeing what else she has in store！ 。。。more

Gail Wylde ，

What a lovely read this was。 This is my first Freya North book and I wonder why I’ve waited so long to read her。 We have the most wonderful cast of characters， both major and minor， and we spend time in a beautifully described part of the country the Outer Hebrides mainly Harris。 My bucket list just got longer！ I really enjoyed this book and won’t hesitate to recommend it to all。 Thanks to Pigeonhole and Freya North for this opportunity to read it。

Barbara Noble ，

A beautifully written book。 Sad in places but ultimately uplifting

Laura Johnstone ，

My 1st book by Freya North and it won't be my last。 An absolutely brilliantly told story of life and love。 It's nell's story and Dougies story and the beautiful isle of Harris on Scotland。 A must read My 1st book by Freya North and it won't be my last。 An absolutely brilliantly told story of life and love。 It's nell's story and Dougies story and the beautiful isle of Harris on Scotland。 A must read 。。。more

Jeanne Molloy ，

A beautiful， gentle read。

Jill ，

This book is so beautifully written！ Wonderful descriptions of the Isle of Harris and the gentle rhythms of life there。 I think the Harris tourist board will be pleased with Freya North！The other location is Colchester。。。。。。mainly the Chaffinch cafe， run by Nell and ably assisted by her team of helpers， who have various special needs。 Little Wing is one of those books that brings love， laughter and tears， but you just do not want to it end！Many thanks to Pigeonhole and Freya North for the chance This book is so beautifully written！ Wonderful descriptions of the Isle of Harris and the gentle rhythms of life there。 I think the Harris tourist board will be pleased with Freya North！The other location is Colchester。。。。。。mainly the Chaffinch cafe， run by Nell and ably assisted by her team of helpers， who have various special needs。 Little Wing is one of those books that brings love， laughter and tears， but you just do not want to it end！Many thanks to Pigeonhole and Freya North for the chance to read this lovely book。 。。。more

Sarah Truckell ，

This is the first book I’ve read by Freya North。 I felt there was a bit of a slow start and it was disjointed but I kept reading and it came together bit by bit and was great。 The story of Nell and how she discovers who she really is and where she came from。 Beautiful descriptions of Harris。 Very moving in places。 A fantastic book

Alison Alice-May ，

This was an absolutely fabulous book with writing like poetry。 Warning: this is a sad book。 I never cry when reading but this book just got me。 The book is set in Scotland， in a remote area of Harris。 It is the story of Nell and her family。 Nell’s mother is living in a care home， lost to Nell and others through the hell that is dementia。 Nell is determined to find out more information about her family and particularly the little known Florence， Nell’s aunt。 She travels to the small Isle of Harri This was an absolutely fabulous book with writing like poetry。 Warning: this is a sad book。 I never cry when reading but this book just got me。 The book is set in Scotland， in a remote area of Harris。 It is the story of Nell and her family。 Nell’s mother is living in a care home， lost to Nell and others through the hell that is dementia。 Nell is determined to find out more information about her family and particularly the little known Florence， Nell’s aunt。 She travels to the small Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides where she begins interrogating the locals。 At the same time， Dougie has found himself in the same place， fighting against his own demons。 Dougie has been avoiding his father’s telephone calls as he is too ashamed of what he is doing with his photography talent。 Once a promising portrait photographer he now takes photographs of inanimate objects for advertising purposes。 That’s where the money lies he tells himself。 It’s no surprise when Nell and Dougie bump into one another， after all their paths are destined to cross。 This book challenged my soul， burst it to bits then put it back together。 It is beautiful。 。。。more

Fay Flude ，

I adore books about ordinary people living extraordinary lives and Little Wing is liberally but sensitively strewn with characters full of longing and hope， despair and resilience， where the minutely observed detail of everyday life and relationships remind us how the little moments are the biggest part of our beings。Set in Colchester， Camden and the island of Harris， Outer Hebrides， this is a tale that is achingly sad and breathtakingly beautiful。 North writes exquisitely about Harris， so effor I adore books about ordinary people living extraordinary lives and Little Wing is liberally but sensitively strewn with characters full of longing and hope， despair and resilience， where the minutely observed detail of everyday life and relationships remind us how the little moments are the biggest part of our beings。Set in Colchester， Camden and the island of Harris， Outer Hebrides， this is a tale that is achingly sad and breathtakingly beautiful。 North writes exquisitely about Harris， so effortlessly and so vividly that it does not take any imagination to set foot on the rugged， windswept landscape， you simply leave wherever you are as the words flow in and out and around you， and a sense of stillness and peace settles upon your soul。It is not mawkish and syrupy at all but a book full of tenderness and grace as Nell embarks upon a personal journey in her hunt for a sense of belonging。 The book is filled with laughter and tears which a great cast of characters provides。 From Wendy who is suffering from early onset dementia， to 88 year old colour blind Frank with his blackbirds and Walnut Whips， to the marvellous crew working and serving at the Chaffinch Cafe， a community of adults with learning disabilities who add a glorious perspective on life which is refreshing and heart warming。 Little Wing gave me an unfiltered look at what matters in our busy lives， the moments of joy amidst the worry and uncertainty。 It feels pure and untainted and I guess is a wonderful promotion of the 'upping sticks， abandoning the rat race and finding fulfilment in a slower pace of life' ideal， featuring a stunning location stripped of the non essential fripperies we mistakenly believe we cannot be without。I loved the difficulties Nell and Dougie face， the way the lives of the characters have such rich histories and how two very different worlds collide in the early 70s and then almost 40 years later。I can think of a fair few friends who would love to read this story so I will be recommending it to others， gifting copies purchased and shining those 5 stars daily to keep the inspirational thoughts this book gave me for as long as possible！ 。。。more

Mags Schofield ，

Heartwarming story meets travel brochure。This is so beautifully written that I'm desperate to visit Harris。 I could see， smell and feel the landscape as I read， so this book should be used as an advert by the Scottish Tourist Board！Apart from the descriptive writing， the characters and relationships were also well developed， especially the Adults with Learning Difficulties in the Chaffinch Cafe。 I have personal experience of both this and a parent with dementia， so those really struck a chord。 B Heartwarming story meets travel brochure。This is so beautifully written that I'm desperate to visit Harris。 I could see， smell and feel the landscape as I read， so this book should be used as an advert by the Scottish Tourist Board！Apart from the descriptive writing， the characters and relationships were also well developed， especially the Adults with Learning Difficulties in the Chaffinch Cafe。 I have personal experience of both this and a parent with dementia， so those really struck a chord。 Both were well researched and described。My only slight negative was my frustration with Nell when she was trying to find her Mother。 I found myself shouting at the screen as I felt it slowed the story down。 But I and my fellow Pigeons loved this book， so huge thanks to Freya and Pigeonhole for allowing us to read this book。 。。。more

Jo ，

First book of 2022 finished。 I hadn't read a Freya North book for years - but then again I don't think she has written anything new for quite some time。 This was a beautiful， emotional slow burn of a story。 Partly set on the Isle of Harris。 The story slowly drew me in and I became invested in the characters - the ending was particularly moving。 Thank you to The Pigeonhole and to the author for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review。 First book of 2022 finished。 I hadn't read a Freya North book for years - but then again I don't think she has written anything new for quite some time。 This was a beautiful， emotional slow burn of a story。 Partly set on the Isle of Harris。 The story slowly drew me in and I became invested in the characters - the ending was particularly moving。 Thank you to The Pigeonhole and to the author for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Laura Hamilton ，

Beautifully written and very emotional。The descriptions of the Island of Harris and the main characters really brought them alive。 I was heavily invested in Nell finding out the truth about her life and gaining happy outcome and also Dougie finding peace and happiness。Lovely way to start 2022， yes it was emotional （maybe not one to read whilst out & about） but sometimes you need that release and this book definitely brought it， left me uplifted but sad to leave the characters。Thanks to the autho Beautifully written and very emotional。The descriptions of the Island of Harris and the main characters really brought them alive。 I was heavily invested in Nell finding out the truth about her life and gaining happy outcome and also Dougie finding peace and happiness。Lovely way to start 2022， yes it was emotional （maybe not one to read whilst out & about） but sometimes you need that release and this book definitely brought it， left me uplifted but sad to leave the characters。Thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity。 。。。more

Veronika Jordan ，

I’d never read Freya North before， so I had no idea what to expect。 Little Wing is quite slow at times so you need to be patient and immerse yourself in the beauty of the isle of Harris， the delightfulness of our heroine Nell， her friendship with Frank and the amazing staff of the Chaffinch Cafe where she works。 Settle in gently and allow yourself to become part of both communities。Nell was brought up by her mum Wendy， who has suffered with her mental health （maybe bipolar？） all her life， but no I’d never read Freya North before， so I had no idea what to expect。 Little Wing is quite slow at times so you need to be patient and immerse yourself in the beauty of the isle of Harris， the delightfulness of our heroine Nell， her friendship with Frank and the amazing staff of the Chaffinch Cafe where she works。 Settle in gently and allow yourself to become part of both communities。Nell was brought up by her mum Wendy， who has suffered with her mental health （maybe bipolar？） all her life， but now has dementia and lives in a nursing home。 When Nell goes to visit， her mum sometimes calls her Florence， but she doesn’t know why。 When she is lucid， Wendy still calls her Nell。Throughout the book we have flashbacks to the late 1960s， when a pregnant 16-year-old is banished to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides to have her baby and protect her family from the shame。In the meantime， Dougie is at a turning point in his life。 He is a professional photographer， but makes a living by taking photos of hardware and tools。 It’s boring， but lucrative。 Where did he lose the ability to see real life through the lens of his camera？ He needs to find out and this means returning to his childhood home in Scotland。We realise that eventually these three separate strands will come together， but how are they connected？ Nell knows nothing about her family or her early childhood and is desperate to find out， while there are so many things Dougie would rather forget。 But he needs to face his demons in order to move on。 Finally， who is the 16-year-old and how does she fit in？After a slightly confusing start， I grew to love the main characters， and the minor ones too。 It’s definitely going to be one of my favourites this year， 2022。Many thanks to The Pigeonhole， the author and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read。 。。。more

Linda Kendell ，

This was a 3。75* beautifully written throughout but I found the last part too long winded and skipped over most of it。 The descriptions of Harris were gorgeous and makes me want to visit。

Marcella ，

Thanks to Freya North and Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this lovely book。 The writing is beautifully descriptive， poignant and thought provoking。 Books don’t usually make me cry but this came very close。 It has made me long to visit Harris too。

Lesley ，

My first Freya North novel and what a lovely introduction it was！The story is centered around Nell， who discovers her family tree is not quite what she thought， leading her north to Harris。While this is far from my usual genre， I loved the beautiful writing and evocative descriptions and enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book！

Amanda Holyoak ，

This was a beautifully written， evocative book。 At times emotional and even heart breaking it was nonetheless an uplifting story and very cleverly told。 I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Harris， clearly a very beautiful part of the world。 These descriptions juxtaposed the feelings of the characters and gave added depth to the book。 Overall a really enjoyable read。

Rachel Chambers ，

I feel bereft now I've finished this。 Nell and Dougie and the Isle of Harris will stay with me for a long time。 Gorgeous writing and absolutely wonderful characters。 Thank you Freya North for this story。 I feel bereft now I've finished this。 Nell and Dougie and the Isle of Harris will stay with me for a long time。 Gorgeous writing and absolutely wonderful characters。 Thank you Freya North for this story。 。。。more

Christine Rennie ，

Little Wing by Freya North is a wonderful evocative story。 That brings all the characters vividly to life but it has to be the Outer Hebrides that was my favourite part of the book。 The sea， the scenery，the everyday living there was brought to life with wonderful splashes of colour and humour。 I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book。Highly recommended

Vicky ，

4。5⭐️This had me crying more than a book has in years！ It’s so gentle and beautifully written。 Not something I would usually pick but I’m so glad I did。

Kriss ，

An opportunity for a great sob， I love them， and to immerse in great， poetic writing。 There are moments where we plumb the depths until the soul is shaken and others where we soar with the eagle with utmost joy but it is the sincere love woven through the tale which shines brightest。 The devotion of parenting in its many aspects; the care and compassion for those less able; the meeting of souls which have been tried， tested， survived and grown， ready for the next adventure， it is all here。 I can An opportunity for a great sob， I love them， and to immerse in great， poetic writing。 There are moments where we plumb the depths until the soul is shaken and others where we soar with the eagle with utmost joy but it is the sincere love woven through the tale which shines brightest。 The devotion of parenting in its many aspects; the care and compassion for those less able; the meeting of souls which have been tried， tested， survived and grown， ready for the next adventure， it is all here。 I cannot recommend this book more， not schmaltzy and sticky but clear in its observations， emotionally literate in its descriptions and challenging in its story telling， enjoy！ Thank you Freya and Pigeonhole！ 。。。more

Claire Thorpe ，

Lovely book that had me in tears ！ Its a moving story set over 3 generations involving 2 families。 Nell and Dougie are the main characters both of them are at a point in their lives where they need answers。 The story is beautifully written and is all about family and secrets。 Loved it - thanks to Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this。

Irene ，

I loved this story which is definitely not my usual genre！ It is beautifully and sensitively written and so gentle and kind！ The author certainly knows her subject and presents it with simplicity and intelligence。 Her knowledge of catering， dealing with ‘different’ people， dementia， photography， nature and the island of Harris is exceptional。 You are ‘there’ with the story as it unfolds。 I was privileged to read this as a late starter on Pigeonhole before release。 My first book of the New year a I loved this story which is definitely not my usual genre！ It is beautifully and sensitively written and so gentle and kind！ The author certainly knows her subject and presents it with simplicity and intelligence。 Her knowledge of catering， dealing with ‘different’ people， dementia， photography， nature and the island of Harris is exceptional。 You are ‘there’ with the story as it unfolds。 I was privileged to read this as a late starter on Pigeonhole before release。 My first book of the New year and first by this author and I will be looking for more I am certainly off to a good start。 。。。more

Michelle ，

The writing is exquisite。 How to put into words the emotions， evocative descriptions of Scotland， written from the heart。Nell's mum Wendy starts to call her Florence and she can't work out why。 Nell tries to find out but Wendy gets confused and angry。Nell's life is turned upside down after a revelation which then sets her on the path to finding out about life。There are some great characters in this。 I loved them all。There were plenty of tears。Thanks to Pigeonhole and the author for the opportuni The writing is exquisite。 How to put into words the emotions， evocative descriptions of Scotland， written from the heart。Nell's mum Wendy starts to call her Florence and she can't work out why。 Nell tries to find out but Wendy gets confused and angry。Nell's life is turned upside down after a revelation which then sets her on the path to finding out about life。There are some great characters in this。 I loved them all。There were plenty of tears。Thanks to Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity to read。Highly recommend 。。。more

Tina ，

This was such a lovely book to read highly recommend it

Kim Russell ，

This morning I read the final stave of Little Wing by Freya North with The Pigeonhole。 It was the title that invited me to read it， having been a Jimi Hendrix fan since I was a teenager， and ‘Little Wing’ is one of my favourite songs by him， but back then I was too young to experience him live。 Last summer I visited my sister on the Isle of Wight and went to the photographic exhibition at Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater Bay。 It focused on the third and final of the original Isle of Wight Festivals h This morning I read the final stave of Little Wing by Freya North with The Pigeonhole。 It was the title that invited me to read it， having been a Jimi Hendrix fan since I was a teenager， and ‘Little Wing’ is one of my favourite songs by him， but back then I was too young to experience him live。 Last summer I visited my sister on the Isle of Wight and went to the photographic exhibition at Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater Bay。 It focused on the third and final of the original Isle of Wight Festivals held at Afton in 1970 within sight and sound of Dimbola and which saw Jimi Hendrix’s last major performance and his last in the UK。 I wasn’t aware of this book then and had no idea that I would get lost in such a beautifully written story。 Freya North’s writing captured my heart and imagination， and I will miss the well-drawn characters who have become friends and family to me。 Her descriptions of the island of Harris have affected me so much I have moved it up my list of places to visit。 。。。more

Gail Danks ，

Such a beautiful touching read。 It showed the difficulties and secrets many families have/had especially in the past。 I learnt a lot about Harris too and now long to visit。 Highly recommended read。

M D ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Freya North has always been a favourite of mine， and it’s rather a long time since she’s released a new book。 I was fortunate enough to get an ARC copy of this book。We follow the story of Nell， whose mum is in a care home， lost in her memories。 Her mum keeps calling her Florence， and in Nell’s quest to find out about Florence， we follow her to Harris。 At the same time， we follow Florence’s story， the story of a pregnant teenager sent to a remote land。 We also meet the rather lovely Dougie， who h Freya North has always been a favourite of mine， and it’s rather a long time since she’s released a new book。 I was fortunate enough to get an ARC copy of this book。We follow the story of Nell， whose mum is in a care home， lost in her memories。 Her mum keeps calling her Florence， and in Nell’s quest to find out about Florence， we follow her to Harris。 At the same time， we follow Florence’s story， the story of a pregnant teenager sent to a remote land。 We also meet the rather lovely Dougie， who has returned to Harris to face his own demons。 This is a delightful book。 You are transported to the wild climes of Harris。 You meet the locals， who talk in a delightful mix of Scots （which I understand， as a Scot） and Gaelic （which I don’t， but which is translated）。 Florence has to find herself in Harris。 Nell and Dougie both have to forgive themselves and allow themselves to trust again。 There are so many issues covered in this book， and they are covered so beautifully。 Nell’s people in Colchester are a wonderful bunch， the delightful staff of the Chaffinch， and Nell’s beautiful friendship with Frank。 I can’t recommend this book enough。 It is wonderful。 。。。more

mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett ，

Blog Tour - review will be posted on the 26th January

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Little Wing

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Little Wing&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Little Wing&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0