Reviews

Depth, discovery, delight——-this is an excellent read. Jimmy Tolmie has a gentle approach, He gives good humoured and colourful accounts of the places, people and adventures we get to share. Throughout he sits on Gregor’s shoulder observing, recording, perhaps whispering some advice.
There is an air of nostalgia the reader discovers and has to experience for the mountains, for rugby, for Scots, for human contacts. Jimmy is hugely complimentary towards those who shaped what he becomes.
A considerable depth of psychological analysis. Adding to the inherited genes, is demonstrated as the character, Gregor, develops step by step. Remember that there has to be a positive ‘set’ before a lesson in life can be learned. Jimmy is super aware of the details of encounters with people and places although a bit shy of Gregor’s true worth.
He has a powerful mind and facility with language. He is far more confident in physical, mental and social circumstances than he allows. He does agree that, so far, it has taken a lifetime for the best to develop and come to fruition.
Only a teacher, a human being, of true worth would be so valued by his colleagues, so loved by his many students, so well regarded for his education, experience, sensitivity, confidence and wisdom—as to be made the lynchpin of the ‘Key’ programme at his West Vancouver school—– a world first— now much copied. He has been capable of giving a real ‘boost’ to students, colleagues, friends, anybody in need.
In life we get to ‘dree ower ain weird’ but the Fates can have other ideas. Most people blunder through life, learning little, achieving little. Gregor, ably aided and abetted by Jimmy, develop, gain wisdom and experience a-plenty. Also, like Odysseus, he gets tested beyond any fair limit or expectation. Only the very best and only the very rare come through with flying colours.
With thanks, Colin Dalhousie