Gosh, Michael Crummey is an extraordinary storyteller. I loved Sweetland.
Moses Sweetland has lived all his life on a remote island off Newfoundland’s south coast, which is called Sweetland. In fact, 12 generations of inhabitants have called this rugged and unforgiving bit of rock home. But now the government is keen to relocate the few residents. They are offering a nice relocation package and everyone is on board except Sweetland. He’s living off the land as a fisherman and trapper. He’s the former lighthouse keeper, lifelong bachelor, and odd-job man with neighbours who need help with a calf or a grave dug. Sweetland just cannot imagine leaving. I said earlier he’d live all his life here, but he did have a stint on the mainland where he tried to make some real money with his buddy Duke. But the drink and drugs and general lack of employment opportunities did him in.
This character rankles. He’s kind and stern, he’s forthright and sullen, he’s cunning and an imbecile. A true force of nature.
If you like Niall Williams, Tana French, John Banville, then you’ll love Michael Crummey.