Clear

A Novel

By: Carys Davies

Narrated by: Russ Bain

“Tender, riveting, and inventive is Clear, the newest offering and masterpiece from the brilliant Carys Davies. It will take your breath away…What a thrill.” —Sarah Jessica Parker

Winner of the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, 2024 Bookmark Festival Book of the Year, and Wales Book of the Year

A Vogue, The Washington Post, NPR, Kirkus Reviews, The Guardian, and The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Best Book of the Year

A “daring and necessary…sophisticated and playful” (The New York Times) novel from an award-winning writer, Clear is the story of a minister dispatched to a remote island to “clear” its last remaining inhabitant—an unforgettable tale of resilience, change, and hope.

John, an impoverished Scottish minister, has accepted a job evicting the lone remaining occupant of an island north of Scotland—Ivar, who has been living alone for decades, with only the animals and the sea for company. Though his wife, Mary, has serious misgivings about the errand, he decides to go anyway, setting in motion a chain of events that neither he nor Mary could have predicted.

Shortly after John reaches the island, he falls down a cliff and is found, unconscious and badly injured, by Ivar who takes him home and tends to his wounds. “Clear chronicles the surprising bond that develops between these two men…pack[ing] a great deal of power into a compact tale” (The Wall Street Journal) about connection, home, and hope—in which John begins to learn Ivar’s language, and Ivar sees himself reflected through the eyes of another person for the first time in decades.

Unfolding during the final stages of the infamous Scottish Clearances—a period of the 19th century which saw whole communities of the rural poor driven off the land in a relentless program of forced evictions—this singular novel explores what binds us together in the face of insurmountable difference, the way history shapes our deepest convictions, and how the human spirit can endure despite all odds. Moving and unpredictable, “a love letter to the scorching power of language” (The Guardian), Clear is “a jewel of a novel” (The Washington Post)—a profound and unforgettable read.

Critic reviews

"Russ Bain flawlessly presents Carys Davies’s novel featuring three extraordinary, believable characters in 1840s Scotland...Bain’s deep emotional connection with each character is strongest when John questions the ethics of evicting Ivar so the government can use his land to graze 'profitable sheep.' Audio superbly conveys the stunning conclusion, adding depth to this remarkable story."

Beautiful but Slow

This book is beautifully written and brilliantly narrated. My only issue is how slow the story was. It felt like the conflict in the description was secondary to descriptions and inner thoughts. At points it dragged. I recommend this book if you are very invested in character studies but not if you are one who anticipates plot.

Unusual and touching

Definitely an unusual story. Unique setting and time period, a bit of history, but mostly very touching characters.

Poetic language

Beautiful figurative language makes you feel the sea and hear the birds. Very tight plot. Memorable characters.

Fascinating

A lovely voice told a detailed story that was simple yet engaging. This simple tale of adventure and human connection displays unusual and unexpected possibilities.

Clear is foreshadowing and irony

Unique book with great characters that leaves you wanting more. We want to know how this looks in a year! Can I be more clear?!?