Wind Resistance

by Karine Polwart

An immersive musical essay. A meditation on sanctuary. A moor walker’s journal. A personal memoir of maternity. An archaeology of flight science and football, medieval medicine and compassion. A wonder tale. Karine Polwart’ s Wind Resistance is co-produced with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and was originally presented in association with Edinburgh International Festival 2016, supported through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund. Winner of the Best Music and Sound Award at the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) 2017.

Genres: Music, Poetry

64 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 2017

About the author

Karine Polwart is a Scottish singer-songwriter. She writes and performs music with a strong folk and roots feel, her songs dealing with a variety of issues from alcoholism to genocide. She has been most recognised for her solo career, winning three awards at the BBC Folk Awards in 2005, and was previously a member of Malinky and Battlefield Band.

Polwart is currently a member of The Burns Unit, and collaborated with The Fruit Tree Foundation on its debut album, First Edition.

Reviews

[Carsyn! · Rating 3 out of 5]

An incredibly fast and enriching read about camaraderie and motherhood…. Scotland is truly incredible.

[Valour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soul soothing

I read this after listening to the album 'A Pocket Of Wind Resistance' on repeat for a week.

Karine's words are beautiful and evocative and soothing and torturous all at once. Read the book and listen to the album
.

[Thomasin Margaret Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional. Incorporates language and nature in a heart-achingly beautiful feminist performance.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wind Resistance is the most enchanting and beautiful play I have ever read and experienced.

[David Campton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to categorise this "performance piece" is almost impossible: part folk recital, part tribute to the NHS, part environmental tract, part pure poetic magic. I saw this twice, first in its initial run at the Lyceum studios in the Edinburgh Festival, and second when it came to the Mac in Belfast, and both times it left me emotionally rung-out. I have since played the recording many times, but it is only in reading the text in full for the first time that I have properly appreciated the technical, textual and narrative complexity of this. It again left me breathlessly moved in parts... especially at its ending and perhaps is even more moving now in the wake of a pandemic and governmental mismanagement that has left the NHS chronically vulnerable, and with clear signs that ecological abuse may have resulted in irreversible damage to our environment. I hope she revives it.

[Charlotte Livesey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a masterpiece that I really want to see and listen to - I’m thankful that Spotify exists so I can take solace in your music. I read this in quite a short period of time - 30 minutes - and every second was a joy, I was constantly calling out lines to my friend and reciting parts. I learnt new interests, and I am happy there was a little mention of North Berwick (my home town, my heart got a little kick out of that). Most importantly, the legend of Will and Roberta broke my heart, and you were so delicate with every topic you interacted with, genuinely such a great way to begin 2025 :) This has brought peace to my heart.

[Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I didn't mind this book. I thought it was interesting poetically, and I loved the imagery of nature. Makes me want to write about my own home in a similar way. However, I think it was far more audio based (being a play) so it was a bit difficult to understand the message. It was alright though.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is evocative, moving. A powerful story of ordinary lives.

I have told so many people to listen to A Pocket of Wind Resistance- if you are reading this then I am telling you to listen also! Maybe have some tissues nearby.

A favourite.

[Jack Sprat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding and heartwrenching.