Tinker's Pride

by Nigel Trantor

Book by Nigel Trantor

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1946

Reviews

[Suzanne Cohen]

Nigel Tranter could almost be forgiven for writing a spy thriller instead of Scottish historical fiction. Following Alastair MacIver through the West Highlands gave me flashes of Geoffrey Household's Rogue Male - evocative landscapes, taut action, and the timeless clash of honour and ownership against privilege and duty. Then, in true Ian Fleming fashion, Tranter refuses to let the story go dry, serving up not one but two formidable female spirits for good measure. You'll read this in a single sitting -it's that good.

[Mary Quann]

audiobook

[Don Friedman]

Found this in a B&B on Colonsay, while on vacation. Never heard of Tranter, but loved the book, especially traveling the Highlands and reading an author apparently well respected for his knowledge and writing about that area. Story of pre-WWII tinker/gypsy holding on to land in face of aristocratic owner's opposition. Much about British aristocrats' contempt for tinkers and poorer folks' seething resentment and fear of the owners. The tinker, Alistair, is raised somewhat in the wild, very canny, capable in fighting, cooking, fending for himself, not so adept with the women, all of whom fall for him! Well written description of social tensions, of the dark and brooding landscape, and of the soap-opera-isn interactions between the aristocratic niece of the owners, Alistair's sister-in-law, married to Alistair's ne-er do well brother, and Martha, daughter of the fairly poor but loving man who partly raised Alistair...

[Peggy]

A lovely book. Beautiful language and descriptions and a sweet romance thrown in.