The Keeper of the Isis Light

A deeply moving tale centering on the wrongness of prejudice and the truth that we should be judged solely on the content of our character. Sadly this continues to be relevant today.

In the words of one of the characters: “We have a long way to go and a lot to learn and unlearn.”

I'm not exactly sure when I first read this book - it was around 1989 - and it really stuck with me. I remember very clearly the beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the central character's love for it. I remembered the insanity and injustice of people who care deeply for each other yet reject others based on an irrelevant thing such as a person's skin or appearance I found that incomprehensible at the time. It stuck with me.

Now, many years later I'm all grown up and I came across a copy of this book with the same cover as all those years ago. I was a little nervous opening it up - what would it be like? It was the same except I now have more of an understanding of the issues and an appreciation of the beautiful writing style. Interestingly enough, the only character in the book who is not prejudiced is a nine year old child who finds it incomprehensible, just as I did around that age.

Prejudice is learnt - not inherent.

Still holds up! Enjoyed it more than I expected to. However, due to current events it was quite jarring to read the word Isis so casually. A little unsettling.