Boneland

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen (published 1960) and The Moon of Gomrath (published 1963)  transported Susan and Colin and the reader into a world of magic, folklore and adventure. In 2012 Alan Garner published a follow-up book, though not really a sequel, in the series, Boneland. The first two books were published as books for children but Boneland is a novel written for adults.    

Two parallel stories are told in this short novel. Colin, now a professor of astronomy working at Jodrell Bank observatory, cannot remember events in his life before he was thirteen. However he does know that his sister went missing many years ago and that he must find her. The second story concerns the Watcher who is also on a quest to save his world.

Colin is referred to a psychotherapist, Meg, to help him resolve his irrational behaviour and attempt to understand the flash backs he is experiencing. Colin must learn to overcome his outbreaks of fear and sense of guilt before being able to contemplate a 'normal' life. Meanwhile The Watcher continues to seek for The Woman whose presence will keep the sky and stars in place.

In many ways this book reads as a poem as it describes the world of both Colin and The Watcher as they struggle in their quests. Like other Garner books mythology and fantasy are intertwined within the story but this novel also includes sections on science as Colin tries to rationalise his fears and feelings. The environment and history of this part of Cheshire also feature in the stories.

I read this book in one sitting and suspect that it is one that could be read a number of times with new discoveries in each reading.

Boneland (Literature) - tvtropes
Boneland by Alan Garner - PaperKnife
Boneland by Alan Garner - Review - Daily Telegraph 23 August 2012
Boneland by Alan Garner - Review by Ursula Le Guin - The Guardian 29 August 2012