The Last Kings of Sark

Dreamland was one of the most memorable novels I read last year, and so it is exciting to encounter Rankin-Gee's debut novel. It is a very evident "first novel", with loads of potential — and also it is fair to recognise that there was an eight-year gap between publication of The Last Kings of Sark and Dreamland. The former is a classic coming-of-age novel, albeit with some twists. Many reviewers saw similarities with Sagan's Bonjour Tristesse, but for me there were greater parallels with Hartley's The Go-Between and du Maurier's Rebecca (where there is a quote included). Sark is no Manderley, but there is an overwhelming sense that the time the narrator and the other two main characters spent on Sark, one unique summer (which culminates in a threesome), was unique, sweet, generous. As never to be repeated, it leaves a lasting impression, a clear emotional legacy, a sense of yearning and an inevitable subsequent influence. It is something from which they cannot quite escape. The sheer remoteness of Sark (permanent population 200) enhances the otherworldliness depicted. There is a lot of clever writing and ideation here, even if a little ill-formed around the edges. 8 out of 10.

By Rosa Rankin-Gee