Customer Reviews

The Silver Bough

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been getting into more fantasy like Gaimen's Neverwhere and thought I should try this book. I got it ahead of time in a reviewer copy format from my work. I thought the setting was great - a lonely peninsula in Scotland where time has nearly stopped. Tuttle writes pretty well and keeps you guessing so you want to know what is going to happen next.

I only have one criticism and that is Tuttle wrote about fantasy creatures and places but you never really visit it them in the novel. She touches around the edges of the fantasy realm and leaves you hanging a little bit.

Lisa Tuttle is a great storyteller. I almost missed my train stop, I was so involved in this book. The book centers on three women, all American, Ashley, Kathleen and Nell. They happen to be in the Scottish village of Appleton just in time for an earthquake to cause a landslide that cuts the peninsula off from the mainland. The earthquake turns things around in Appleton, once famous for its orchards and cider. But in 1950, Ashely's grandmother did not fullfil her role as the Apple Queen, and by the time Ashley arrives, there are no more apple trees at all.

Tuttle brings the magic in gradually through a stranger called Ronan, who turns out to be her grandmother's former fiance--presumed jilted when granny disappeared from the village. Ronan touches the lives of Ashley and Nell as magical creatures descend on the village that becomes totally cut off from the rest of the world. In the end, he ends what seems like a curse on Appleton and restores Nell's life.

The story itself was fresh and original. But I only gave it four stars because Tuttle's language was often crude and flat, which tended to bring me out of the story and make me realize I was just reading a book. It also bothered me that she neatly wrapped up the lives of Kathleen and Nell, but left Ashley, the first character we meet and the catalyst for much of what happens, in limbo. She never really describes Nell, and I envisioned her as an elderly widow until the very end of the book, when it becomes clear she is young and beautiful. A physical description somewhere along the line would have helped.

Still, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

The book starts off definetly with two feet firmly planted in the real world. Ashley is finding her roots and going back to Appleton, Scotland where her granny came from. However, a landslide isolates the dying town. Soon, people are seeing mermaids, kelpies, and ghosts. It might put the town back on the map again, but first someone must eat the golden apple...
A mixture of modern and myth, superbly blended together into a gripping plot.

On the coast of Scotland in the Highlands is the town of Appleton, a place that is connected to the mainland by one small road. When an earthquake hits, the townsfolk are cut off from the rest of civilization. Supplies will be brought in by a ferry and mail and medical supplies will be flown in.

Three American women are in Appleton. The town librarian Kathleen, the widow Nell who has bought Orchid House and one of her trees is a special golden apple that has not been seen for over fifty years. Visiting the town is Ashley whose grandmother was born there and left without telling anyone she was going. She refused to tell her family about that part of her life which makes Ashley all the more eager to get in touch with her roots. Another stranger in the town is Rhoan, a man in his twenties who looks exactly like the person in a photo that is over half century old. Much of the magic that lay hidden comes out in the cut off Appleton. It seems as if the place is moving into the Otherworld where the Apple Fairest that appeared in one of Nell's trees changes the reality of our world and gives those deserving them their heart's desire.

SILVER BOUGH is all about subtle magic that is part of Appleton, a place that many believe originated in another dimension. Readers gradually became aware of the power that is in the very land itself and that of Rhoan, who is part of that magic and wants to return to his father's home. The characters are three dimensional and have a role in the upcoming events as Lisa Tuttle has written a spell binding Scottish Brigadoon like fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

The Silver Bough is a lovely contemporary fantasy, with compelling characters and an interesting use of celtic mythology. It starts out a bit slowly, as we are introduced to our cast of characters, but builds into a compelling read as we are pulled into the mystery of what is going on, and what the relationship of that is to the past. Tuttle is always worth reading, and this book is no exception. If you haven't checked out her other books, I highly recommend them all, especially her recent book "The Mysteries," now out in paperback. If you like Jonathan Carroll, Sean Stewart, and Gwnnyth Jones, give Tuttle a try.

This is a good story (which aren't always easy to find) and a very enjoyable read. Three American women find themselves in a small coastal (maybe!) Scottish town and become involved in historic events. You get a great feel for the small coastal town, and Tuttle creates a fine sense of the mystical about the goings-on. Which heroine will ultimately fall for the handsome, enigmatic stranger? The story should keep you guessing to the end, and the payoff is great. Enjoy!

The town of Appleton on the north-west coast of Scotland is a forgotten backwater. It was once a thriving centre of Apple and cider production till it all suddenly died off in the 1950's and most people don't understand why their town has come to such a sad pass.

However, Appleton has secrets - hidden magic lies in the town and events suddenly collide and decisions will need to be made that will decide not just the future of the people who are directly affected by the changes but for the future of the entire town.

This book is one that has a number of different stories that cross over and overlap as it moves from the everyday to a place that is distinctly strange. Having said that, while having so many main characters dilutes the story somewhat and leads to some loose ends, this is still a book that is a very enjoyable read if you like modern fantasy novels, though I found the local Scots themselves seemed to only play a small part in this story which I found rather odd given it was actually set in rural Scotland. If I could I'd probably give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it but I found it top heavy with American characters for a Scottish book and somewhat broken up with the many differing character viewpoints.

What a pleasure to read this book! No formula writng here...I didn't want it to end.
A light touch of fantasy, with a little history, myth and good characterizations thrown in.

In the hands of the right director, this book could become a lovely, magical romance along the lines of "Practical Magic." In book form, the myth of the Apple Island overshadows the cast of characters (the one shining exception to this is Kathleen, the librarian). And the "encounter" between Ashley and Ronan was awkward and puzzling, happening out of sync with the pace of the story. Not to mention unnecessary...the sexual tension the author built during the first part of the story intrigued me much more that any actual dalliance could have.

The redeeming quality of the book, and the reason I gave it 3 stars, was the lovely way the author wove the legend and the present day together. Her descriptions of landscape and architecture were vivid and enchanting, a lovely picture painted with words. I would recommend it for light reading...and have my fingers crossed that some visionary Hollywood producer can see the cinematic potential here!

This book was quite entertaining....once I got about half way through! It's worth perservering however, as it builds to a magical climax. Magical reading to you!