Super Short Summary

Island: The Complete Stories by Alistair MacLeod is a collection of his previously published works and two new stories, all set primarily in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The stories explore themes of family, tradition, and the struggle between holding onto the past and embracing change. From a young man grappling with his father's death in "The Boat" to a family facing the disposal of an old horse in "In the Fall," MacLeod captures the complex emotions of his characters with rich, evocative prose. Stories such as "The Road to Rankin’s Point" and "The Tuning of Perfection" delve into the deep cultural ties to Gaelic heritage and the inevitable passage of time.