Tumultuous Greenhorns, Formerly Doctrinaires,

At least 6 years ago, we studied The Cone-Gatherers as a Higher English class at school under the tutelage of the irrational Ms. Flatman; it’s an unpredictable and thought-provoking masterpiece.

I recently picked The Missionaries by the same author, Robin Jenkins from the library. The book is set mainly on the remote and fictional, Scottish island of Sollas. The island’s wealthy owner has lawfully been given permission to see that a small band of Christian sectarians, who claim the island is their ancestral home and that they have been guided there by God, be banished.

The book’s main character, Andrew Doig, is a university student who has spoken at rallies against the decision taken by the Sheriff, also his uncle, which creates tension in his respected family. He also attracts the attention of the island owner’s beautiful daughter, Marguerite, during her visit to the mainland. Invited by Marguerite, Andrew travels to the island at the same time the Sheriff and a group of policemen do to enforce the departure of the religious invaders.

As in The Cone-Gatherers, Robin Jenkins creates suspense through the abundance and quality of his characters that he writes into the plot, their motives and actions are explored thoroughly and I was left wondering exactly who would have the final bearing on Andrew’s journey of self-discovery – the disordered police force were a source of amusement and I was suspicious of them. After vehemently speaking against the removal of the sectarians from the island, Andrew soon learns that it’s not the best idea to cast judgement without knowing all the facts and he has to re-assess his position in life.

There are many relevant lessons to be learnt from The Missionaries; we aren’t always seen by others in the way we think we are or would like to be, sometimes we have to be flexible in what we believe – it isn’t always true and ideas may have to be completely discarded, and sometimes we don’t really believe in what we say we do.