Buchan’s touch of Marmite

Courtney Gallery Book Group

THE Island of Sheep by John Buchan certainly proved to be a Marmite book.

In the five-plus years that the group has been running, I have never known such opposing views of a book.

Eleven members were present, and two email reviews were received, one after the meeting. Some members didn’t finish it, one read it twice.

The book was published in 1936, just as tensions were building in Europe with the rise of Fascism and Nazism. The novel is split into three parts, each featuring an upper class estate which symbolised a place of sanctuary from evil.

Aristocratic gentlemen are seeking adventures, fighting to ensure that good overcomes evil.

The Cecil Rhodes Plan, which we find abhorrent today, is part of the subtext.

One member described it as an Enid Blyton for grownups, pure escapism, and that it made a change from novels that promote worthiness and awareness raising.

One member added that, in her teens, Buchan was her goto author.

Another member noticed how each character’s skills and personality were described for use later in the plot, and also enjoyed the car chase.

Counter balancing these views, two members thought the plot was overladen with characters, was sexist and racist, poorly constructed and unbelievable.

The descriptions of nature and wildlife were enjoyed but the whale hunting scenes were not pleasant to read.

Also the descriptions of Norlands (Faroe Islands) were not accurate, probably based on Scottish landscape.

Elements of the gothic were mixed with Nordic myths.

The car chase and daring exploits of the ‘do gooders’ are a prelude to Ian Fleming’s books about James Bond.

One thing that everyone agreed on was that some of the exploits were farcical; Sandy being disguised as Martel and the pirates failing to recognise him, the extraordinary transformation of Haraldsons in disposing of D’ingraville and the final banquet with Anna ‘a creature of gold and ivory.’

My edition of The Island of Sheep had an introduction by Andrew Lownie.

He points out that critics are becoming increasing aware of the depth and complexity of Buchan’s writing and the hidden subtexts, literary, geographical and historical, and classical references.

If you are planning to read this book, please note that it is of its time, with all the prejudices prevalent then.

Readers can clearly appreciate how the UK has moved on

from these times (prejudices no longer accepted by the majority) whereas parts of Europe still have a long way to go.