The possible thematic ties between book and Scotland, though, have been on my mind all evening. The book is about a place and a state of mind that is akin to heaven, how one gets there, etc.. ... The North Wind is a character that seems kinda wonderful and kinda terrifying all at the same time-- but in back of the North Wind, all can be wonderful. The songs the protagonist makes up throughout the story are whimsical, as well as what he does with them. I'd love to know more about any way the book and the emigration may relate-- in this sense, is Scotland the vision of "heaven," or is the destination country?

~Susan