2022 Buddy Read: Scottish Authors

[Nidhi]

This poem, like all epic poetry, had everything, history ( fiction) geography ( breathtaking beautiful), chivalry, love story, a battle and happy ending.

I prefer long poems , has anyone read Childe Harold by Lord Byron?

[John]

Well done, Nidhi - that's a long poem! I agree with you about enjoying his poetry as much as his novels. He apparently stopped writing poetry once he'd read Byron, as he felt he couldn't achieve that standard - but I'm always preferred his poetry to Byron's.

Good luck with Marmion - all I can remember of it is the dashing "young Lochinvar", and one of the most quoted pieces of Scottish poetry -

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive".

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I've just finished reading three short stories by Robert Louis Stevenson- Will o' the Mill, the short and strange House of Eld, and Thrawn Janet.

[John]

Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished reading three short stories by Robert Louis Stevenson- Will o' the Mill, the short and strange House of Eld, and Thrawn Janet."

I don't think I've read his short stories, Rosemarie, although I'm sure I've heard of Thrawn Janet.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I've just finished the novel Stevenson was working on when he died-Weir of Hermiston. Fortunately, he left notes of the plot outline but it's too bad he didn't live long enough to finish it since it started so well.

[Melanie]

I'm reading The Counsellor, a mystery by J.J Connington. There's a reference to Gretna Green, which brought me back to reading Georgette Heyer's Regency romances. I didn't know it was a thing in 1939 so I googled it, and it's still a thing now. And there's still a blacksmith shop! Why didn't I think of getting married there??

[John]

Melanie wrote: "I'm reading The Counsellor, a mystery by J.J Connington. There's a reference to Gretna Green, which brought me back to reading Georgette Heyer's Regency romances. I didn't know it was a thing in 19..."

I visit Gretna several times a year, Melanie and every time there are a number of weddings taking place, including "over the Anvil" in the blacksmith's shop.

Interestingly, although it was at one time mainly the very young running away to get married in Gretna without their parents consent, these days it tends to be more mature couples.

[John]

My Scottish book for August is going to be Highland River by Neil M. Gunn.

According to Amazon -

"Written in prose as cool and clear as the water it describes, Highland River is one of Neil Gunn’s most lyrical and popular novels. Winner of the James Tait Black Memorial prize when first published in 1937, it has over the years become established as one of the greatest pieces of twentieth century Scottish fiction. The ‘northern river’ of the title is the physical and spiritual focus of the novel and the source to which Kenn, the central character returns. Looking back over his life from the disillusioned thirties, the river becomes symbolic of both what has been lost and what has endured. From an idyllic childhood spent in the Highlands through the terrible slaughter of the First World War, Kenn’s reminiscences eventually lead him back to the river that has haunted his imagination for so many years. Its effect on him is profound and the culmination of this poetic masterpiece. ‘Looked at either as a saga of the spirit or as a story dressed in all the circumstances of Highland loveliness, Mr Gunn’s book has a deep and moving appeal.’ Evening Standard ‘Highland River is a novel of unusual distinction.’ Irish Independent ‘The book must be read as one would listen to music . . . scenes are projected with a crystal clarity, sharply defined, with an odd double quality of intense immediacy and a sort of enclosed detachment.’ Times Literary Supplement"

[Brian E]

My August Scottish read is Laidlaw by Scottish author William McIlvanney, a gritty crime novel set in Glasgow. It is considered the first Tartan Noir novel.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I'll try to read The Antiquary by Walter Scott. I missed the buddy read, and the discussion made me interested.

[John]

Brian wrote: "My August Scottish read is Laidlaw by Scottish author William McIlvanney, a gritty crime novel set in Glasgow. It is considered the first Tartan Noir novel."

A great choice, Brian - one of my favourite crime novels

[Melanie]

I looked for the McIlvanney books which would fit our classics specification and found Remedy is None (1966) and A Gift from Nessus (1968). Unfortunately they're not at my library.

[Melanie]

John wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I'm reading The Counsellor, a mystery by J.J Connington. There's a reference to Gretna Green, which brought me back to reading Georgette Heyer's Regency romances. I didn't know it w..."

I finished The Counsellor by J.J. Connington and I enjoyed it!

[John]

I finished - slightly late - my July book today, the excellent and sobering River of Fire: The Clydebank Blitz by John MacLeod.

[John]

For August so far we have Brian reading Laidlaw, Piyangie reading The Antiquary, and me reading Highland River.

Does anyone else have any Scottish books planned this month?

[Kathy]

I’ll be reading Bodies in a Bookshop.

[John]

Kathy wrote: "I’ll be reading Bodies in a Bookshop."

This one looks intriguing Kathy - I'm looking forward to your assessment of it.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I'll be reading Nordenholt’s Million by J. J. Connington, the only book by that author available at the library.

[Melanie]

I'm reading The Hills is Lonely: Tales from the Hebrides by Lillian Beckwith.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I like Beckwith's books but I haven't read that one.

[Brian E]

Melanie wrote: "I looked for the McIlvanney books which would fit our classics specification and found Remedy is None (1966) and A Gift from Nessus (1968). Unfortunately they're not at my library."

Yes, McIlvanney's Laidlaw was written in 1977 so is 5 years too young to qualify as a classic here. For some reason, I forgot about the classic definition when considering Laidlaw as my Scottish classic read. And since it's actual publication date is now public on here, it's too late for me to get a phony ID made for the book.

Luckily I'm also going to be reading Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time in August for the NTLTRC authors thread so I'll count that for my Scottish read this month. Laidlaw will serve as my "extra credit."

And, like many extra credit assignments, Laidlaw is turning out to be more fun than the regular assignments. I'm 2/3 done with it and it's really good so far. It gives you a great feel for the grittier Glasgow scene and includes some good local vernacular.

[John]

Melanie wrote: "I'm reading The Hills is Lonely: Tales from the Hebrides by Lillian Beckwith."

Snap Melanie, when I was on holiday last week I found a copy of this in a charity shop and couldn't resist it - and I think I finished it in a couple of days. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[John]

Rosemarie wrote: "I like Beckwith's books but I haven't read that one."

It was the first of her Hebridean books, Rosemarie, and I'm sure you would like it. Its getting quite difficult to find her books now, but they pop up in charity shops from time to time.

[Melanie]

Rosemarie wrote: "I like Beckwith's books but I haven't read that one."

Rosemarie, This one is quite humorous. I wonder if it's in the same vein as Beckwith's other books.

[Melanie]

Brian wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I looked for the McIlvanney books which would fit our classics specification and found Remedy is None (1966) and A Gift from Nessus (1968). Unfortunately they're not at my library."..."

Brian, extra credit is always good! I thought Daughter of Time was fabulous. I've been interested in learning more about Richard III lately since my discussion group has been reading Shakespeare's play, so I might pick up a recent biography after we finish.

[Melanie]

John wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I'm reading The Hills is Lonely: Tales from the Hebrides by Lillian Beckwith."

Snap Melanie, when I was on holiday last week I found a copy of this ..."

John, I'm sure I will. Fortunately I was able to find it on Amazon quite easily. But it would be much more fun to find it in a charity shop in Scotland.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Beckwith's books are generally light-hearted.

[Kathy]

I finished Bodies in a Bookshop by R.T. Campbell. On the cover it says, "A Prof. John Stubbs Mystery." The Professor is a very humorous character. I enjoyed the backdrop of bookstores, book dealers, and rare books.

[Melanie]

Kathy wrote: "I finished Bodies in a Bookshop by R.T. Campbell. On the cover it says, "A Prof. John Stubbs Mystery." The Professor is a very humorous character. I enjoyed the backdrop of bookstor..."

Kathy, that sounds like my kind of book!

[Kathy]

Melanie wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Bodies in a Bookshop by R.T. Campbell. On the cover it says, "A Prof. John Stubbs Mystery." The Professor is a very humorous character. I enjoyed the backdr..."

It was a fun book.

[Melanie]

I finished The Hills is Lonely: Tales from the Hebrides by Lillian Beckwith. It was sometimes hard to read of their cavalier attitude to their animals but it went along with the rough and tumble life. I really liked the landlady Morag.

[John]

Melanie wrote: "I finished The Hills is Lonely: Tales from the Hebrides by Lillian Beckwith. It was sometimes hard to read of their cavalier attitude to their animals but it went along with the rou..."

Morag is my favourite character throughout the whole series of books. There's a sense in some of the later books that the author was tiring of life in the Hebrides and had less empathy with the islanders, and they apparently had less affection for her, but she largely seemed to retain her feelings for Morag.

[John]

My poetry book for August is Fishermen with Ploughs: A Poem Cycle by George Mackay Brown. I nearly always enjoy Brown's poetry, and I'm hoping this one will be the same. But it's one of his very early books, and I can't remember coming across any of the poems from it in any "Selected Poems" collections. So fingers crossed!

[John]

Kathy wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Bodies in a Bookshop by R.T. Campbell. On the cover it says, "A Prof. John Stubbs Mystery." The Professor is a very humorous character. I en..."

You've sold me on it Kathy....I've just ordered a copy.

[Kathy]

John wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Bodies in a Bookshop by R.T. Campbell. On the cover it says, "A Prof. John Stubbs Mystery." The Professor is a very humorous c..."

I hope you enjoy it, John.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I finished Nordenholt's Million by J.J. Connington. This is a science fiction/survival story after an ecological disaster.
He also wrote detective novels but the library didn't have any of those.

[Melanie]

Rosemarie, that’s too bad! The Counsellor was terrific. I know he’s not a well-known author, but maybe you can find one of his mysteries at a used book store.

[Annette]

I just downloaded Bodies in the Bookshop on Hoopla. Thanks for the recommendation :)

[John]

I'm a bit late in starting my Scottish book for August - Highland River by Neil M. Gunn - but I reckon I should manage to finish it by the end of the month.

Is everyone enjoying their choice for the month, or have there been any disappointments?

[Melanie]

I just got Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart from the library and I’m looking forward to starting it soon.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I'm reading The Man in the Queue as my second August book.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I've just finished a fun story-Space Cat by Ruthven Todd.

[Melanie]

Space Cat sounds like fun, Rosemarie!

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

It was cute.

[John]

We've been away hill-walking in the Highlands for a few days, so I've fallen even further behind in my reading - but I finished Fishermen with Ploughs: A Poem Cycle today, which turned out better than I'd initially expected. I need to press on with Highland River now.

I've decided that another George Mackay Brown book will be my poetry choice for September - this time it will be The Storm and Other Poems.

[John]

My September novel is going to be one that Kathy brought to our attention - Bodies in a Bookshop by R.T. Campbell.

Kathy described it as a fun book, and the blurb on the back-cover of my copy claims "it is loaded with amusing sallies of wit, quaint and pungent observations, and droll characters".

[Kathy]

True, John. I especially like the Professor, with his pipe-smoking and beer-drinking.

[John]

I have to admit Kathy, that apart from your recommendation, the description in the foreword of the Professor as "corpulent, moustachioed, opinionated, smokes a pipe filled with evil-smelling tobacco, and constantly swills beer from a quart mug in order to overcome his susceptibility to 'dehydration'", intrigued me!

[Chad]

I read my first Muriel Spark novel, The Girls of Slender Means. Her characters just remind me so much of my grandmother and the sort of capers she would have been mixed up in as a young woman while overseas as a nurse during the war. I really enjoyed it and have purchased a few of her other works secondhand.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Chad wrote: "I read my first Muriel Spark novel, The Girls of Slender Means. Her characters just remind me so much of my grandmother and the sort of capers she would have been mixed ..."

Your read made me snicker. I was just looking at her just the other day trying to decide if I should order one of her books! I might just have to look for the one you read!! Thanks :)