The Chapel at the Edge of the World

By Kirsten McKenzie

The book's look and synopsis were so romantic that I bought it the instant I laid my eyes on it. The book was not engrossing, but it was enjoyable in a slow and subtle way. This is a debut novel for the author Kirsten Mckenzie. The story is inspired by a chapel in LambHolm, Orkney, built by Italian prisoners of World War II. I felt that the plot had a deep melancholy and eeriness; that explains the longer time that took for me to finish the book.

The story happens in a flashback as narrated by Emilio, Bertoldo, and Rosa. Emilio and Rosa are childhood sweethearts who were engaged while Emilio leaves to the war front. They judiciously write letters throughout their separation which helped a little for the growing distance between each other. Emilio finds Bertoldo as his friend, but his weird behavior only increases Emilio's loneliness.

Rosa helps her mother Margherita, who runs an inn in a small Italian town. Rosa decides to work for a print shop in Milano to escape the monotony of her everyday life at the inn. Rosa's small adventures of political activism along with her special friend Pietro and her boss Antonio shapes her to a stronger and mature women.

Emilio is captured and after transferring between a couple of locations, the prisoners are finally moved to the Orkney Islands. The cold along with decreased rations, humidity, and Bertoldo's emotional outbreaks depress Emilio. A hope for survival flickers when they were offered a place for worship. The prisoners get along together for decorating the chapel. Emilio brings out his innate talent for painting, even Bertoldo with his far-fetched dream of America contributes for the same.

The characterizations were perfect: the confused Rosa; strong Margherita; matured Emilio; and emotional Bertoldo. Other interesting characters include Rosa's friend Rachel, Henrik, the German Officer and Anna Maria, Emilio's mother. Their stories and struggles are practical and realistic. Emilio's struggles as a prisoner and survival are heart warming.

The Chapel at the Edge of the World is a must-read for the lovely story and the characterizations. A word of caution - It might be depressing at times.