Love and Music Will Endure

by Liz Macrae Shaw

This is an historical novel based on the life of Mary MacPherson, the Skye bard and political campaigner during the Land wars of the nineteenth century. Her rage and despair at being falsely imprisoned in Inverness led to a poetic outpouring of songs. She linked her distress to the problems being faced by Highlanders who were being evicted from their homes.

She travelled throughout Scotland, singing and speaking at Land League meetings at a time when women were not supposed to be active in politics. She was one of those indomitable Victorian women who wouldn't accept the limitations society imposed on them. She overcame the barriers of class and gender.

Her beautiful songs about the beauty of the landscape and the pain of exile are still sung today.

The title, Love and Music Will Endure comes from an old Gaelic proverb, 'When the world comes to an end, only love and music will endure.' I think this fits her story well.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2013

Reviews

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the quote on the back of the book says, calling this book simply a 'historical novel' takes away from the brilliant imagination of the author. This is a fantastic depiction of life in the Highlands throughout the 1800's, and a deeply interesting central character. The dialogue is rich and it is clear how much research and time was spent to get countless details right. An accomplished novel.

[Alexandra Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story - with information about life and times on Skye throughout the 1800s - aspects I was virtually unaware of. I did not like the author's description of the main character Mairi Mor; she was not very complimentary in describing her looks and manner; not sure why she took this line. Well written and witty in parts. Not sad :)

[Alex Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely-told story about Mairi Mhor, this book comes alive with the precise language and idioms the author clearly knows and has researched well, evoking a time, place and person with clarity and empathy. The story of the crofts in Scotland is a fascinating one, and Macrae Shaw has drawn it out with great sensitivity, told through the eyes of the young then old Mhor. The book moves through the story well, it's an enjoyable read throughout and perfect for fans of historical fiction.

[Pat Stearman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was harder to get into than her other books ( picked up on Skye) but still a fascinating tale of a woman doing extraordinary things for her time.
The story of landlords, famine & the plight of the Irish is much better known, the Clearances confused with the reprisals after Culloden & almost forgotten - this puts Land laws firmly in the foreground - and celebrates the power of music & song.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to learn about the clearances in this historical fiction, which I picked up from the author herself at a wee village hall in Skye.
I would rate it 3.5/5 as I appreciated what it taught me but ended up skimming the end.

[Clwaddoups · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gift from a friend... I read it on a trip home and it reminded me of studying Scottish Literature at university. However, this was a Skye perspective I did not have, and it was a nice surprise.

[Sharon McGinty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book while visiting Skye, really enjoyed it. It's well written and learned a lot in the process. Liz is an excellent writer

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book direct from the author at a little stall in a village hall while on holiday on the Isle of Skye. The book painted a vivid picture of Skye and the struggles it's inhabitants faced over many decades to try to retain their place on the island. I found this to be a book of two halves. The first half beautifully told of Mairi's early life to middle age. The portrait of her character was wonderfully described and the book was a joy to read. At times I found the second half of the book quite political with lots of characters making an appearance. I really appreciated, however, that the real historical situation was complex, and I liked that the author didn't seem to have dumbed it down for a simpler narrative. It's given me lots to think about and I have already recommended the book to a friend!

[Lisa Hough-Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this historical novel - I feel like I learned a lot about the Highland clearances and other elements of Scottish history as well as enjoying a fascinating life story. What I really loved was that Mairi was a complete, flawed character - a heroine who didn't need to be beautiful or feminine or perfect. I am a bit embarrassed that I didn't know more about this period in my country's history beyond the basic facts- maybe I can blame school history education that focuses so much on the world wars?! - but I want to find out more now about Mairi MacPherson and the other real people in the book.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent almost 2 weeks in 2019 walking the western highlands of Scotland and Skye, and that is the setting for this book, so it was especially enjoyable to me. Mairi Mhor nan Oran was a poet and minstrel whose work documented life during the late 1800s and specifically during the evictions.

[bookinglibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit awkward in the writing, but a captivating slice of Highland history and culture centered around a female bard.

[Angi Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and enjoyable reading

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. One it's historical fiction. Two it has places I have visited recently on my first trip to Scotland. And the cover just absolutley gorgeous.