Book set on Scilly Isles – The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

Submitted: 19th July 2024

Scilly Isles and letters with Kayte Dunn

Book set on Scilly Isles – The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant – There are a number of dual time line novels out there. This one stands out for many reasons. It’s beautiful written and heartfelt. A woman is sent to a mental asylum on the Scilly Isles where she writes letters to her family. Years later, another woman finds these letters and the heartbreaking truth comes out. Wait until you see how both parts of the story intertwine!

Locations in The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

Book set on Scilly Isles - The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

Locations in The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

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Locations in The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

There’s something about a novel with a hidden cache of letters that really gets the hair on the back of my neck tingling with excitement. When it’s a novel that’s this good and immersive, it’s the best thing a historical fiction fan could hope for.

It’s a novel of hope, loss, sacrifice and the search for answers across time. A link from past to present reveals heartbreak from the past and hopefully ends in resolution in the future.

It’s about a woman in 1951 who is sent to a mental institution against her will. This was part of the course years ago when anyone – usually a man or male doctor – could send a woman away for ‘matters of the mind’ or to rebalance her constitution in some way. Remarkably the author has her own story of this which she tells you about in the author note. If I hadn’t been impressed before now, then this just blew me away!

The setting of the Scilly Isles is remote and bleak. Add to that the boat ride to the island, the waves, the weather and the fact that home for this woman is a mental asylum and the setting is darker still. How I pained to see her there, to see the hope fade from her eyes and mind. This is a true reflection of what many women did go through then. Remember that and it makes you shiver.

Past and present time lines work really well. The tale in 1951 of this poor woman being sent to the island in the Scilly Isles is dark, bleak and heart breaking. In the present day, Rachel finds letters whilst working as a marine scientist. She’s keen to find out more and so begins the novel of dual timelines and secrets in the waves.

I do like a dual time line novel but when it’s structured and intertwined as this, then I cheer inside. Then I remember the author’s brave acknowledgment at the end and I want to hug her.

A great book but a even more remarkable debut one. Recommended.