Super weird...but wise too

⭑⭑⭑  I'm not sure what to say about this book. It is different from anything you might envisage from the blurb. I went through phases of liking Kingdomtide followed swiftly by being bewildered by it and wondering why I was reading it. It's fair to say it comprises equal parts quality drama mixed with wise reflection and, well, utter strangeness. I cannot recommend it, in the traditional sense, as it is simply unconventional, and likely, not palatable for those who enjoy cookie cutter stories and logic. I expect you either love Kingdomtide or loath it. I fall somewhere in the middle.

Cloris is an elderly woman who survives a small plane crash into wilderness. We shadow her and eavesdrop on her inner most reflections as she struggles to survive and find her way back to humans. What she encounters out in the wild is both thought provoking and most unusual. In parallel we meet merlot-swigging park ranger Lewis and the bazaar path the search for Cloris takes for her. The odd people she encounters on the way and her shocking ability to function whilst ingesting only merlot is staggering. I said it was strange. But, there is one shining beacon of light here. Among all the reflections is astounding wisdom and clarity of thought. Much to ponder and think through...if you can see your way through the odd bits to find the sparkling diamonds buried beneath the surface.