Scott Preston’s “The Borrowed Hills” isn’t just a novel, it’s an experience. It’s the desolate beauty of the Cumbrian fells woven together with the raw desperation of men pushed to the brink. For fans of Cormac McCarthy’s stark prose, this book delivers a similar punch.
The story follows Steve Elliman, a farmer grappling with the devastating foot-and-mouth outbreak that decimates his livelihood and community. Preston’s descriptions are nothing short of breathtaking. He doesn’t just paint the Cumbrian landscape, he makes you feel the bite of the wind, the damp wool of the sheep, the weight of tradition pressing down on these weathered men.
But “The Borrowed Hills” is more than just scenery. It’s a story of resilience, of the lengths men will go to for their land and their way of life. Steve’s desperation leads him down a dangerous path, one that forces him to confront his own demons and the complex relationships he has with his neighbor, William, and William’s enigmatic wife, Helen.
The characters are superbly drawn. Steve is a flawed but relatable protagonist, a man hardened by life but not devoid of compassion. William is a stoic enigma, and Helen brings a touch of mystery and simmering tension to the narrative.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Steve and William embark on a desperate heist, one that pushes their morals and their bond to the breaking point. The tension builds with each turn of the page, culminating in a climax that’s both shocking and strangely inevitable.
This is not a comfortable read. Preston doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of rural life, the violence of the cullings, the desperation that can fester in a man’s soul. But that’s precisely what makes it so brilliant. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit set against the unforgiving backdrop of the natural world.