The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley

‘Most people have trouble recalling their first memory, because they have to stretch for it, like trying to touch their toes; but Joe didn’t.’

Joe Tournier’s first memory is of stepping off a train in the nineteenth century French colony of England. He has no idea who he is or where he is from. There may be a clue in a century old postcard of a Scottish lighthouse which arrives about the same time as he does. The postcard is signed with the letter ‘M’ and Joe, who thinks the writer must know him, is determined to find them.

Poor Joe. Suffering from amnesia and hindered by the fact that others withhold information from him. No wonder he is discombobulated.

So, here we are in Victorian England, except that England has been annexed by France after their decisive win in the Napoleonic Wars earlier in the century. Joe travels to Scotland (owned by rebels) when the lighthouse on the postcard needs attention. But nothing is straightforward. A portal near the lighthouse enables travel between different periods of time: if the past can borrow from the future, then history might be changed. Imprisonment, romance and war all have a part to play, as does winter in a town on the Outer Hebrides. What will Joe discover?

‘Joe didn’t have many anchor chains to his own character. He hadn’t been himself for long enough.’

Yes, I was drawn into this world and held captive while trying to work out how it would end. Another engrossing novel from Ms Pulley. If you like alternative history and time travel with a twist (or two) you may also enjoy this novel.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith