The Black Eden: 'Wonderfully evocative and atmospheric.' WILLIAM BOYD

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While these interconnected lives are deeply involving, the book is not without its flaws and distractions. Like many multiple-point-of-view novels, the focus can become diffuse. For much of the time, the competing strands don’t really combine into a cohesive narrative. There’s also a fair amount of impeding, dry-as-dust geology to digest, with underwater terrain described as “base Zechstein anhydrite, a dependable Upper Permian salt cap”. And in the book’s first third, we encounter some curiously distracting archaic language, such as “abashedly”, “thence”, “becalmed”, “in a trice” and “but an instant”. Perhaps most egregiously, for such a meticulously researched novel, there’s a fairly major (for this James Bond fan) chronological error. In a chapter headed March 1967, Robbie and his wife leave the cinema after seeing You Only Live Twice, prompting much earnest discussion of Sean Connery’s sexiness. This would all be fine except for the fact that the film wasn’t released until June of that year. He gazes out to the Firth where, a mile or so distant, two great headlands almost converge, the northern one with its fields dappled by sunlight, the southern so moodily shadowed as to appear heavily forested. Together they make a long channel of the calm waters. Atkins’ granddaughter, Elizabeth, is a third-generation Idlewilder who said the community gives her “a tremendous source of pride and it anchors us in our history and culture.” She feels an embrace of joy and freedom when she is in the beach town.

Stop justifying every damn thing done for oil when a blind man can see some people are coining it and others getting robbed,” Mark spits at Ally. The disparate fates of the main characters are by turns inspiring, infuriating and, ultimately, heartbreaking. There’s really been a rediscovery of Idlewild by a lot of younger folks,” Evans shared. “And so some younger folks are thinking about what would it mean to reinvent that for the next few generations.” Despite Atkins and others pushing to rebuild Idlewild, there aren’t as many homeowners and tourists as there used to be in the historic vacation spot. Getty ImagesGorgeous photographs. The photographs captured life in motion and delicious recipes. I wish I could turn those photographs into postcards. Richard T Kelly is an esteemed author and scholar, widely recognized for his in-depth research and compelling narratives. Born and raised in Scotland, Kelly’s deep-rooted connection to his homeland has often served as a source of inspiration for his works. His writing career spans several decades, during which he has published a number of critically acclaimed novels. When ... you see the blinking lights at Broadway and US-10, you know you're in Idlewild and you get this feeling," says Ronald Stephens, a Purdue University professor who has written two books about Idlewild's history. "I don't know if it's totally psychological, if it's totally social or cultural or what it is, but you get this feeling of relief."

There are, of course, other contemporary political nuances (the fishers’ resistance to the Common Market, for example), which draw clear parallels with the current moment – the future of fossil fuel production, the continuing threat to Unionist interests of Scottish Nationalism (or just us being scunnered with Westminster politics), and the travesties and betrayals of Brexit.Woodford, Arthur M., ed. (2012). The Michigan Companion. Detroit: OmniData. p.328. ISBN 978-0-9798648-4-1.

Reform Scotland was delighted to host a discussion about North Sea oil, the huge impact its discovery had on Scotland, and the current controversies surrounding the energy source.

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Yates Township Supervisor Colleen Carrington-Atkins, who recalls vacationing in Idlewild with her family when she was growing up in the late '40s and early '50s, has big plans for the continued revitalization of the community. She says the township is working to improve the beach and restore the historic Flamingo Club on Williams Island, the community's signature natural landmark. She also hopes to encourage the development of a business district by activating an economic development corporation for the area. The township is currently developing a new master plan and a five-year recreation plan that will establish new goals for the community.