ARC gifted by the publisher

1840s, Scotland. John is an impoverished minister sent to a remote Scottish island to "clear" its last inhabitant, Ivar. Through a series of misfortunes, John finds himself injured and under Ivar's care. The two form an unlikely connection even though they speak different languages. How will John complete his task? And how will Ivar respond?

With sparse yet lyrical writing, CLEAR explores human connections through a straightforward plot that lingers in one's mind long after finishing it. Davies is a master at using clean prose to build an atmospheric narrative that vividly portrays human emotions.

Alternating between 3 POVs, CLEAR asks the readers to examine how we can bridge our differences for the sake of humanity. With different languages and religions, Ivar and John's interactions seem fraught with violence. And yet, Davies surprises the readers with multiple possibilities. While I wish CLEAR was longer, the ending is actually perfect. My reluctance for the book to end is a true testament to Davies' craft.

For fans of THIS OTHER EDEN (Paul Harding) and THE COLONY (Audrey Magee), this short yet powerful read is a must.