2022 Buddy Read: Scottish Authors

[Kathy]

That sounds good, John. I already have an ebook.

[Tracey]

John wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I should have used his initials - it's Edmondstoune of course."

I didn't notice - as I'd never heard of him! But thanks to you Melanie I've now downloaded from Amazon a free copy o..."

Thanks for your post. I have just downloaded a free copy also. :)

[Melanie]

Tracey and John, you’re welcome! The Scottish poetry library website is a great resource.

[Tr1sha]

I started reading The Antiquary & am still enjoying it after reading about a quarter of the book. It’s difficult to believe it was written by the same author as Ivanhoe. I’m so pleased it was recommended & discussed here.

[Penelope]

Trisha wrote: "I started reading The Antiquary & am still enjoying it after reading about a quarter of the book. It’s difficult to believe it was written by the same author as Ivanhoe. I’m so pleased it was recom..."

I'm at about the same Trisha and enjoying it quite a lot. I realise how slow a reader I am and with the passage of Scottish dialect it is slow going at times. Press on.

[John]

Trisha/Penelope - I'm about half-way now, and enjoying it a lot. As seems to be frequently the case with Scott, it's the minor characters that stick in your mind.

[Tr1sha]

I finished reading The Antiquary today. On the whole I enjoyed it & thought parts of it were excellent even though some of it seemed unnecessarily long. I liked most of the characters & thought they were interesting.

[John]

Trisha wrote: "I finished reading The Antiquary today. On the whole I enjoyed it & thought parts of it were excellent even though some of it seemed unnecessarily long. I liked most of the characters & thought the..."

Well done Trisha, and I'm delighted you enjoyed it. I'm hoping to finish it today....I've enjoyed the comic elements - particularly the running thread about the seal!

[John]

I finished The Antiquary today and greatly enjoyed it. It was apparently Scott's personal favourite of his novels, and is a favourite among his general readers, but has never been highly rated by critics until comparatively recently.

There are similarities between the character of the Antiquary and Scott himself, which maybe added to his fondness for it.

Personally, I like the conclusion by the critic and author, A N Wilson, that the book celebrates "good dinners, old books, a comfortable house, and a view of the sea" as well as long conversations with good friends.

Sounds good to me.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I've made some progress in The Antiquary and found it a refreshing change after Ivanhoe and some of the others I've read. I enjoyed Waverley and Rob Roy once I got past the long introductory chapters.

[Penelope]

I’m nearly to the end. And just thinking it is a really good read. Could not agree more with A.N. Wilson.

[Cosmic]

Rosemarie wrote: "I've made some progress in The Antiquary and found it a refreshing change after Ivanhoe and some of the others I've read. I enjoyed Waverley and Rob Roy once I got past the long introductory chapters."

Thank you for telling me this about Waverley and Rob Roy. These are on my list but i really need to finish Barnaby Rudge because i am so involved now!!

I want to read Waverley because it was mentioned in A Hero of Our Time. Recently finished The Art of Writing and the Gifts of Writers and he mentioned something about Waverley that I want to remember. "Solitude and abandonment to the imagination in youth will render a man easy prey to those who wish to exploit him.".

[Melanie]

I just read To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey and I enjoyed it very much. The books I've read of hers have this humor that I just love. I've always loved the dry British wit, and I'm trying to figure out if Scottish wit is the same. Miss Marjoribanks is funny as well. I have to ponder this some more.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I'm loving the names of some of the minor characters in The Antiquary-like Mr. Dousterswivel. I like the fun side of Scott in this novel. And our young hero-Mr. Lovel.
And of course, the title character as well!

[John]

I agree that Scott seems to enjoy himself with the comedy in The Antiquary, and its easy to see why its always been a favourite with his readers. My favourite name among the characters is the Mucklebackit family.

[Penelope]

I was surprised at how amusing I found this novel. The humour is delightful. I too, found some of the names hilarious. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read and can well imagine why it was one of Scott’s favourites.

[Chad]

I’ve a back log of reading to do and so will rejoin in April. I’m going to be reading The Girls of Slender Means and some more Burns.

[Melanie]

I’m checking in to say how much I’m enjoying Miss Buncle’s Book. First of all, the cover of my book is very misleading because it shows a fashionable young lady rather than an elderly one. I love how the book begins in the early morning at the bakery and we’re introduced to the villagers with the delivery of the rolls. Every character is well-drawn. I don’t want to say much more for fear of spoilers. I’m about 3/4 done. I’m definitely going to read more by this author.

[Brian E]

Melanie wrote: "the cover of my book is very misleading because it shows a fashionable young lady rather than an elderly one. I love h..."

Now, Melanie, Miss Buncle is described as middle-aged with some suggesting she is in her late 30s. That doesn't seem elderly. The fact that she is also 'frumpy' does not make her older in years. As an "elderly" 68 year old myself, she seemed young to me.
I think I have the same book cover as you but you might prefer the cover used on Goodreads.

Seriously, though, I am glad you are enjoying yourself.

[Melanie]

Brian wrote: "Now, Melanie, Miss Buncle is described as middle-aged wit..."

Brian, yes, the book cover used on Goodreads is the one of the reasons I was thinking she's older than 40. As I finish the book I'll look for more clues.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

There are two more books about Miss Buncle-Miss Buncle Married and The Two Mrs. Abbotts, and they're fun too.
I discovered D.E. Stevenson books in my final year of high school and since then have read every book that I could get out of the library, which a lot. I'm glad they're being reissued so that the next generations of readers will discover them too.

[Brian E]

Thanks for that info, Rosemarie. I already have Miss Buncle Married on my Wish-list waiting for it get cheaper but did not realize that The Two Mrs. Abbotts was the third in the series. I will now look for it.

I also have considered reading Vittoria Cottage (Deering Family #1) because so many GR friends seem to have read it along with other authors in the Furrowed Middlebrow editions by Dean Street Press https://www.deanstreetpress.co.uk/pag...

In January of 2022 Dean Street Press came out with new editions of 11 more D.E. Stevenson novels. http://furrowedmiddlebrow.blogspot.co...

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I've just finished The Antiquary and thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Melanie]

I finished Miss Buncle’s Book. I love how everything was tied up neatly in the end. Now I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Brian.

[Melanie]

I’m enjoying The Antiquary as well. It is so rich in history and languages.

[John]

I might try another D E Stevenson book in April, since we'll also be reading two books from her first cousin once removed (if I'm calculating the family relationship correctly - I always get mixed up with cousins!)

[John]

Rosemarie/Melanie - "enjoyment" is such an apt word for The Antiquary, you can almost feel Scott's own enjoyment rising from the page.

I wonder if the fact that it was set in time so close to his own life made him more relaxed and at ease when writing it?

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I got that impression, John. I liked the jokes about the wigs-I guess the Antiquary was one of the last wig-wearers.

[Brian E]

Melanie wrote: "I finished Miss Buncle’s Book. I love how everything was tied up neatly in the end. Now I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Brian."

This is my 4+ star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I very much enjoyed reading it. I also enjoyed the ending, which was a relief as the book had a brief moment of threatening to become a bit tiresome at the 2/3 or 3/4 point. The following is a spoiler reply to one of your earlier comments, Melanie:(view spoiler)[ My initial reaction to your allegation that Miss Buncle looked too young on the bookcover was to say "just wait" as she morphs into a closer facsimile of the flapper look by the end; but that would have been an unwelcome spoiler. Also, even with her makeover or evolution your observation was right as my image of Miss Buncle is still somewhere between the 20 - 30ish looking flapper of the one cover and the graying 50ish spinster in the other. (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Brian wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I finished Miss Buncle’s Book. I love how everything was tied up neatly in the end. Now I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Brian."

This is my 4+ star review: https://www..."

Hi Brian, When I click on your review link it takes me to a review of Freakonomics by somebody else. Do you want to try that again? And I agree with your last statement in the spoiler.

[Brian E]

Melanie wrote: When I click on your review link it takes me to a review of Freakonomics by somebody else."

Mine did too! Oops! I will try again.

In the words of the great philosopher Bullwinkle, 'This time, for sure!" https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kathy]

Nice review, Brian. I have this on my TBR. Right now I'm reading Mrs Tim Of The Regiment by Stevenson. It's written in a journal form by Mrs. Tim Christie, wife of an officer and describes her days with her own family, meeting other officers and their wives, parties, all with commentary on the individuals. It is very funny and I've laughed out loud a few times.

[Kathy]

I'm slogging through The Antiquary by Scott and enjoy many parts, especially about the Antiquary himself. He's sarcastic and smart and goes his own way. Other parts are very difficult to read and not so enjoyable. But I've passed 50%!

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

The Antiquary really picks up towards the end-and the ending is wonderful!

[Brian E]

I have finished Sunset Song.
This is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[John]

Brian wrote: "I have finished Sunset Song.
This is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I liked your review, Brian, and the point about Sunset Song being a surprising winner of a popular poll is very true, and there were a couple of the top 10 that this could also apply to -

10. James Hogg's The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
9. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
8. Knots & Crosses by Ian Rankin
7. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
6. Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone
5. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
4. The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan
3. Lanark by Alasdair Gray
2. The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
1. Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon

[Melanie]

Brian wrote:

Mine did too! Oops! I will try again.

In the words of the great philosopher Bullwinkle,..."

Thanks for the review, Brian! That was nice.

[Melanie]

I was watching my favorite booktuber and the episode was called "Brilliant books set in Scotland." She mentioned Scottish books and authors I hadn't heard of before, and these books look good:

Pink Sugar by O. Douglas (sister of John Buchan)

Consider the Lilies by Iain Crichton Smith re: the Highland Clearances

She also mentioned books by Mary Stewart and Rosamund Pilcher. Now, John, I'm going to propose that even though they weren't Scots, they largely wrote and lived in Scotland. I was thinking of Wildfire at Midnight (1956) by Stewart and The End of Summer (1971) by Pilcher.

Would these by acceptable?

[Melanie]

*be* acceptable

[Brian E]

John wrote: "Sunset Song being a surprising winner of a popular poll is very true, and there were a couple of the top 10 that this could also apply to -."

After reading it, though, I think Sunset Song is a very appropriate choice as a representative Scottish novel. While its writing style is more lyrical and streamily poetic than one finds in 'popular' novels, its subject matter and story effectively portrays life in a very Scottish area or town. Many other Scottish novels, both on and off the top 10 list, do not portray life in Scotland. Even ones that do, like Trainspotting and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, are portraits of a narrower group, such as young urban drug users or young urban girls' school attendees and faculty, than what is shown in Sunset Song,

Sunset Song's setting seems a good representative of the Scottish rural and village setting. A good urban novel of Edinburgh or Glasgow might best reveal the other part of Scotland. Perhaps, the #3 ranked Lanark or the recent Shuggie Bane would fit the bill. I was a bit surprised that nothing from R.L. Stevenson or Walter Scott made the top 10, but I really shouldn't be surprised when people don't value classics that much.

[John]

Melanie wrote: "I was watching my favorite booktuber and the episode was called "Brilliant books set in Scotland." She mentioned Scottish books and authors I hadn't heard of before, and these books look good:

[bo..."

Consider the Lilies is a good choice, Melanie.

Stewart married a Scot, and lived here from 1956 until her death.

Similarly, Pilcher lived here from just after her marriage, until her death.

So I would say that both are definitely acceptable.

I'm sure one of Stewart's "Merlin" books is in one of the group challenges later in the year - in Futuristic, etc.

I'd never heard of O. Douglas/Anna Buchan, but I will now. I liked the quote from her Obituary in a Scottish newspaper -

"It has been objected that the people of her books are too "pleasant," but, at a time when fiction was passing through an ultra-realistic phase, this pleasantness was a relief to many readers."

I think in 2022 we could all do with a bit more pleasantness!!!!

[Penelope]

John wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I was watching my favorite booktuber and the episode was called "Brilliant books set in Scotland." She mentioned Scottish books and authors I hadn't heard of before, and these books..."

In the most recent newsletter from Scotland's People they featured three Scotish authors, one of them Mary Stewart. Sadly, newsletter now deleted but I think one of the others was Catherine Sinclair, who much to my delight is credited with having public water fountains and public seating installed in her efforts to enhance the city of Edinburgh. She definitely qualifies for our reading. I read a Mary Stewart at Christmas time and now on looking it up realised it was originally written in 1954. Some of her work will qualify. I love her work and have reread many over the years.

[Kathy]

I finished The Antiquary. It picked up in the last third of the book and answered all my questions about Lovel. I'm glad I read the book.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I enjoyed finding out who Lovel was.

[Penelope]

Yes it was quite a mystery I thought. He was such a good character, quiet and unassuming especially in comparison to the riotous characters like Oldbuck and Ochiltree

[John]

Kathy wrote: "I finished The Antiquary. It picked up in the last third of the book and answered all my questions about Lovel. I'm glad I read the book."

I'm glad you liked it Kathy, and I thought the ending pulled everything together nicely.

[Chad]

I started reading The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark. I’m not used to such “proper” English! As a sluggish American, this all seems very pointed and proper to me so far. It also seems like a couple of city catholic school girls sneaking a smoke around the corner from the school entrance. I’m only a chapter in so I’ll see where it goes.

[Penelope]

The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd. Stunning writing and wonderful descriptions of her experiences of climbing and walking in the Cairngorms.
I listened on audible and cannot recommend it highly enough, read by Tilda Swinton, with an afterword by Robert Macfarlane and a bonus essay by Jeanette Winterson. 5 stars!

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I read that last year, Penny. She writes beautifully.

[Penelope]

Have just finished Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. What a marvellous adventure. Have fallen behind with poetry choices but always looking for inspiration.