From Wood to Ridge: Collected Poems in Gaelic and English

by Sorley Maclean

The is a collection of poems of the Scots-Gaelic poet, father of the Gaelic Renaissance, presented in parallel text with Sorley MacLean's own translations of his work throughout. His first book, mainly of love poems, was published in Gaelic in 1943. He combined traditional and modern elements and explored the conflict between public responsibility and private passions and needs. This book, and the figure of MacLean himself, are at the heart of the Gaelic Renaissance. His later work develops these themes in a specifically Gaelic setting. His most celebrated single poem, "Hallaig" is one of several major achievements to be found in the collections.

Genres: Poetry, Scotland

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1989

About the author

Sorley MacLean (Scottish Gaelic: Somhairle MacGill-Eain, sometimes MacGilleathain in earlier publications; 1911 – 1996) was one of the most significant Scottish poets of the 20th century. He wrote about love, heartbreak, the Cuillin, the Spanish Civil War, Hugh MacDiarmid, Communism and nationalism, often several in the same poem.

Reviews

[Keith Skinner]

I think I've read most of MacLean's work in one form or another and believe this represents the broadest offering of his poems. I also like having the Gaelic translation to refer to, not because I'm fluent in Gaelic but because it's interesting to see the original version of some lines and stanzas. I also like that the poems are translated by MacLean himself. I've read other translations and, while they are often interesting in their differences to MacLean's translations, I'd rather have the author making the decisions about how best to render a thought he phrased in another language.

[Dean]

Wonderfull Inspiring Poetry.

[Alexander Justice]

Cha cuir mi crìoch gu brath air leithid seo de leabhar

[Eylül Çetinbaş]

Sorley Maclean always amazes me.