Born and raised in Sweden, Karin Altenberg moved to Britain to study in 1996. She holds a PhD in Archaeology and her thesis, published in 2001, won the Nordenstedska Foundation Award. Her debut novel, Island of Wings, set on St Kilda, was described simply as Stunning by The Guardian.

Island of Wings – The year is 1830. Neil and Lizzie MacKenzie, a newly married young couple, arrive at the remotest part of the British Isles: St Kilda. As both find themselves tested to the limit in this harsh new environment, Lizzie soon discovers that marriage is as treacherous a country as the land that surrounds her.

Chair: Nicky Marr

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What the Press say

Brilliantly recreates the sublime, terrible beauty of the islands...A superb book.
Scotsman

This lovely, haunting novel evokes the rough beauty of St Kilda... A story of faith and love.
The Times