Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 A book for island lovers June 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you are a Scillophile, you won't be able to resist this. It is as good as the tv series, which says a lot, as there are no pix. And you don't need to have seen the series first. There is more info about the background and characters, and it makes you want to spend at least a year there yourself. To follow, consider Toby's The Island Ingredient, and Richard Pearce's Depending on the Tide. Great stuff.
 Verbal valium April 14, 2008
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
Not as tediously repetitive as the tv series, in fact quite readable.
Some of the facts highly suspect particularly regarding the aviation history of the Isles. Farrell also contradicts himself in a few places. However if you like light undemanding woffle this is the book.
A perfect book for commuting March 6, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a delightful travelogue, with some laugh out loud moments. Having seen bits of the TV series, it was interesting to read about some of the happenings behind the scenes and also to read about exploits that didn't make it onto the film. It is not all sweetness and light on the Scilly Isles though and this story presents some warts and all portraits, and on the whole I think the residents come out of this rather well, but the islands themselves are the real stars. This obviously comes over well on screen with sweeping vistas and sea and cloud scapes making some beautiful images, but Mr Farrell uses such eloquent turns of phrase to describe the environment that it conjures up the views in your mind which is just what you want when on your daily commute.
 Amiable and discursive February 24, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
As an island dweller myself, I can't resist island books and I must say I enjoyed this very amiable and discursive chronicle of Nigel Farrell's time on the Scilly Isles. Without mains electricity my wife and I rely on a generator so don't watch much TV, and have missed most of the BBC series, but the book is written in a visual style which brings the islands - and the islanders - to life. It is sensitively observed and funny, and Farrell doesn't take himself too seriously, which is always refreshing.
What a read! February 12, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Once described as the jewels in the crown of England, it's no surprise that Nigel Farrell chose to experience life on the remote Isles of Scilly.
The pace of life on these majestic islands may be slow, but the book certainly isn't!
From vicars to fishermen and pub landlords to lifeboat men, An Island Parish treats the reader to a veritable smorgasbord of characters.
I laughed, cried, and then laughed some more. Emotional, yes. Boring, never! Boy, do these jewels shine!
I wait with great anticipation to catch Series 3 of An Island Parish! Another book to follow please Nigel!
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