Thanks to @fsgbooks for The Colony by Audrey Magee. This Booker contender takes place on a small island off the west coast of Ireland in the summer of 1979. It follows an English painter, Lloyd, who travels to the remote village, seeking his own Gauguin-like inspiration. He’s disappointed at the arrival of another visitor, JP, a French linguist who wants to preserve the island’s use of Gaelic. We also get to see things from the perspective of a young island widow, Mairéad, and her son, James. Interwoven throughout the narrative are short chapters about what is happening on the mainland - the violence of The Troubles.

This novel explores the subjects of tradition, language, art, and colonization with beautiful yet slightly distanced prose. The writing is sometimes short, sharp, and observant, and other times leans towards a stream-of-consciousness style.

There is no character growth here, but that felt realistic to me. Both of the visitors only want to take what they can from the island, for selfish means, though they believe they have the best interests of the islanders at heart. JP insists on calling James by his Gaelic name of Seamus, despite James being infuriated by it. Lloyd journeys to the island in a currach, thinking it will be a more authentic experience than if he would have taken the modern boat with a motor.

I really liked this one. It’s an interesting and entertaining character study that effectively immersed me in the setting, while also making me think about colonialism and the Troubles. I haven’t read many of this year’s Booker nominees yet, but I think this will be a top contender.