Scottish Fiction

Posted on | March 1, 2010 | 25 Comments

A blogging friend mentioned at the weekend that she didn’t know I was Scottish; I was quite surprised by that as I thought I was always rambling on about trips home to Glasgow and the books that are left there but apparently I have not been as upfront about my heritage as I had thought. So, in the tradition of fellow Scots who have asserted their nationality and declared their patriotism, I thought it was time to dedicate a blog post to the underrated literature from home.

Does anyone else who lives away from their home city or town find that your love for it becomes all the deeper and stronger once you are living away from it? I have discovered that I am far more passionate about my nationality and more about the heather and honey now that I am living in a metropolis so far removed from home. I have only been here for eighteen months and still suffer home-sickness for the dear green place from time to time. Of course I’m lucky that I’m only 400 or so miles away and can manage home fairly frequently (speaking of which, I’m going home in a couple of weeks and then again a few weeks after that) so the longing for home never becomes too saddening as I’m only half an hour away from one of London’s biggest airports.

However, I have tended away from any Scottish literature in the past year (excluding this beautiful love-letter to Scotland and this quirky gender-playing mythical tale) in the event that it makes me feel too far away from home. I have read some Muriel Spark recently but Spark set many of her novels in London. My bookshelves though overflow with books by other Scottish writers: Alan Warner; Alasdair Gray; Ali Smith; Jackie Kay; Edwin Morgan; Louise Welsh; Irvine Welsh; A. L. Kennedy; James Kelman; Janice Galloway; Kevin MacNeil; Iain Banks; Anne Donovan; Laura Marney… What I have read is rich and engaging, original and darkly humorous. Scottish fiction is rooted in a tradition of oral storytelling and the new stories are just as compelling as the old; I tend to read only modern Scottish writers unless their name is Arthur Conan Doyle or I am doing my party trick of reciting some Robert Burns. I haven’t been able to locate a successful access point into Alexander McCall Smith nor Christopher Brookmyre who are both missing from my list.

On my immediate to-be-read pile I have Kieron Smith, Boy by James Kelman to read, which I have been wanting to do for some time; I also intend to re-read The Sopranos by Alan Warner in preparation for its forthcoming sequel, which will be published by Jonathan Cape in a couple of months, and I plan on reading more Spark in the near-future.

Which, if any, Scottish writers are you familiar with or would like to see me read? How do you think Scottish literature compares with the canon of neighbouring England? You can’t offend me … I’m a Scot who studied English literature as both undergraduate and postgraduate level; I did pick up Scottish literature as an elective but it didn’t hold the same sway for me as Austen, Shakespeare and Dickens did.

Comments

25 Responses to “Scottish Fiction”

Verity
March 1st, 2010 @ 4:54 pm

What an interesting post; I’ve never really red any books and consciously realised that they were part of the canon of Scottish literature, though obviously I’m familiar with Muriel Spark. I look forward to you introducing me to more Scottish literature.

Like you, I live away from where I grew up; I love to read books set in the area and places that I know extremely well. I was really happy to discover that the latest Clare Morall features so much of Exeter and Exmouth/Budleigh Salterton area.
Steph
March 1st, 2010 @ 5:31 pm

It wasn’t until I moved to the U.S. that I really began to appreciate what my Canadian heritage and what my own country meant to me. It took various shapes and forms, but I also noticed it in terms of my reading. I more actively sought out Canadian literature (something I kind of avoided before!) and reading books set in Toronto especially made me miss home.

Of course, the flip side is that I moved to the South, and that has caused me to also become interested in reading more Southern fiction, something I likely wouldn’t have had any interest in before!

As for Scottish writers, I don’t think I’m actually familiar with very many! I did read Sparks’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which is set in Edinburgh, and I’ve also read Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting, which is set in Glasgow. I guess I’m definitely more of an English lit fan!
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
March 1st, 2010 @ 6:05 pm

I knew that you were Scottish, so you haven’t been hiding it that much.

Did you read about Kelman’s rant on Scottish literature?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/aug/31/james-kelman-scottish-literature

I’m afraid that I don’t know many Scottish authors – I have no idea where most of the authors I read come from.

I have just read Anne Donovan(quite good) and loved the Iain Banks I read (you should try Business if you haven’t already), but I don’t normally read books because of where the author lives.
Rochester Reader
March 1st, 2010 @ 6:09 pm

I also don’t tend to consciously think of Scottish, English, Irish, Welsh, etc. literature when I’m reading unless it has been brought to my attention or it was part of my studies.
One particular author that stood out and that I mean to read is Mary Brunton – a contemporary of Austen – whose novels I believe are in a similar vein. I heard a radio adaptation of one of her novels years ago and was very impressed and thought what a shame it was that she had fallen into virtual obscurity.
Annabel (gaskella)
March 1st, 2010 @ 6:58 pm

I’m been a big Iain Banks fan since his debut, and read much of his SF too, but apart from him, Christopher Brookmyre and Allan Massie, I’m not particularly aware if any authors on my shelves are Scottish or not …
vivienne
March 1st, 2010 @ 7:19 pm

I am pleased to think I have a couple of Scottish authors on my books shelves. I have Muriel Spark and Louise Welsh waiting to be read.
Amanda
March 1st, 2010 @ 7:20 pm

I didn’t know you were Scottish, but then again we only met recently so many I just haven’t had time yet…
Nymeth
March 1st, 2010 @ 7:29 pm

I don’t know much about Scottish literature (though I do love Ali Smith), but that’s exactly why this post made me happy – I look forward to recommendations for you. I think I’ve told you about my slight crush on your homeland, so Scotland as a setting has immediate appeal for me
Michelle (su[shu])
March 1st, 2010 @ 10:07 pm

I definitely understand the feeling of increasing love for the home country when so far away from it. My love for all things Malaysian have increased many times over since I got to NZ some 3 years ago. =)

I hate to admit this, but I think I wouldn’t know the difference between English and Scottish literature… Not that I’m that familiar with either. But I’m looking forward to reading Ali Smith, and maybe Muriel Spark as well. =)
Eva
March 1st, 2010 @ 10:36 pm

What a fun list! I’m kind of oblivious sometimes, so I probably didn’t process your discussions of Glasgow. lol

Definitely, being away from home makes me love it more. Being overseas makes me feel like more of an American, living in Colorado makes me love Texas to death, etc.
Simon (Savidge Reads)
March 1st, 2010 @ 11:04 pm

Sparks and Smith I have read a bit of. I had no idea that Conan Doyle was from Scotland am ashammed of myself.

I have only just now noticed I dont think where authors I read tend to come from, isnt that dreadful.

As for my home town… Wendy Holden lives there, I am saying nothing more on that, ha!
Claire (The Captive Reader)
March 1st, 2010 @ 11:40 pm

I’d love to see you read any Scottish fiction! I’m not picky – I’ve loved Scotland the few times I’ve been and am always eager to read more books set there.

I’ve been living away from my home for the last six years with varying degrees of distance – everything from a 1 hour plane ride to a 9 hour one. The longer I am away from home, the more I miss it.
Mrs.B
March 2nd, 2010 @ 12:16 am

I don’t know much about Scottish literature except for Sparks which so far has been brilliant. What would you recommend by Ian Banks? I’ve read a bit about him recently in the blogosphere.
Jenny
March 2nd, 2010 @ 1:20 am

I don’t know much about Scotland but I completely understand feeling more affection for your homeland after you have left it. I’m back in Louisiana now, but I grew to appreciate it so much more in the year that I was away.
Rebecca Reid
March 2nd, 2010 @ 2:15 am

Of course, if you are looking for pre-1914 Scottish classics, you can always join the Wuthering Expecations Scottish Literature REaidng Challenge and Clishmachlaver. Lots of reading suggestions for the old stuff.

For me, I can’t decide between Burns and Sir Walter Scott for that, so I may have to read both.

http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2010/01/wuthering-expectations-scottish.html
Merenia
March 2nd, 2010 @ 3:31 am

Alexander McCall Smith has a love affair with Edinburgh – has the 44 Scotland Street series not done it for you? I admit I have found the Isabel Dalhousie Edinburgh novels annoying…

DE Stevenson writes lots of novels set in the Borders.
Alexandra
March 2nd, 2010 @ 12:04 pm

I’m a Portuguese living in Brussels and I know exactly how you mean. I never feel more Portuguese-and-proud-of-it as when I’m abroad.

I studied in Scotland (Glasgow) and since then I’ve been a big fan of Scottish lit. I would say that my all-time favourite Scottish author (and probably top-5 of the overall list) is Dorothy Dunnett. I always find it strange how not many people read, but that those who did became raving fans. There was blogger who said about her most famous character: “Sometimes I think of Lymond as the literary version of the Velvet Underground…not many people bought the record, but everyone who did started a band.”

I also enjoy Iain Banks and Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith and JK Rowling (does she count?).
skirmishofwit
March 2nd, 2010 @ 5:07 pm

What an interesting post! Have you read any O. Douglas novels? Her lovely stories are rich with descriptions of the Scottish countryside and have me longing to explore the area. Of course, I’m also a big fan of her brother – John Buchan
Sarah
March 2nd, 2010 @ 5:20 pm

We take an annual holiday in Scotland, so it would be fair to say that we are pretty hooked on the place. I like to read books set in Scotland, but I don’t always worry about the nationality of the author if it is good descriptive stuff.

I have enjoyed Robert Louis Stevenson in the past, but it is Gavin Maxwell who captures the Sotland I visualise, in Ring of Bright Water.

I have several Sir Walter Scott on the shelves, but have always been too scared to pick them up!
kimbofo
March 2nd, 2010 @ 9:41 pm

Great post, Claire. The nationality/heritage of authors is really important to me.

Obviously, being an Australian living in the UK, I actively seek out Australian authors, even if that occasionally means travelling half-way round the world to buy them!

I have a penchant for Irish fiction, but I’m not really sure where that penchant comes from. Although my partner is Irish I was reading Irish fiction long before I met him. (I was also drinking Guinness long before I met him, and yet whenever anyone sees me drinking the black stuff they assume I was taught to do so by my Other Half!)

As to Scottish fiction, I recently discovered Robin Jenkins and want to read his entire back catalogue, which is extensive! Iain Banks is also an old favourite although I haven’t read any of his stuff for years. Actually, I’m half Scottish, but I bet you didn’t know that!
Paperback Reader
March 3rd, 2010 @ 12:56 pm

Thanks, Verity. I often wonder what other readers notice of the origin of the books they read. I’ve always paid attention but that’s just the way I am.
I enjoy reading fiction in a place I know well and I’m now getting a kick out of reading books set in London; before I didn’t know the areas that well but now I recognise places and street names.

Steph, there’s some great Canadian literature and books set in Toronto! Southern fiction is also great too. I find myself consciously attracted more and more to fiction set in London now.
Trainspotting is actually also set in Edinbugh (Leith to be exact) but the film was mainly filmed in Glasgow.

Jackie, you’ve met me though a few times so I’m not surprised that you knew I am Scottish!
I did read the Kelman article at the time but it is definitely worth a reread; it was quite vitriolic if I recall correctly.
I don’t read fiction because of where it is from either but sometimes I am in the mood for a particular setting, especially when it reminds me of home.

Rochester Reader, I am most definitely aware of a distinction between Scottish, English and Irish (I can’t recall reading much Welsh literature) but mainly through study. Each canon has its own distinctive voice and Irish literature is such a rich and vibrant body of literature on its own that it is deserving of existing on its own as English literature does and Scottish literature to Scots.
I must look into Mary Brunton – thanks for the tip!

Annabel, you don’t have to be either but I found it interesting to single out the ones on mine and wondered whether anyone else was conscious of the locale of the books.

Vivienne, both very good authors albeit very dark! Spark is macabre and Welsh gritty.

Amanda, that’s understandable but now you know.

Ana, my homeland does seem to generate a number of crushes! It is beautiful and deserving of the adulation and respect. I look forward to giving you recommendations … first up is Alan Warner who I think you will love.

Michelle, you are far further than I am from home; at least the country I currently reside in borders that of the one I am apart from!
Ali Smith and Muriel Spark are both great writers and I have been lucky enough to meet the former.

Eva, I have a bit of an odd memory for minor details so it’s my fault for assuming that everyone else is the same!
I definitely feel my nationality and patriotism more being away from it; absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder.
Paperback Reader
March 3rd, 2010 @ 1:15 pm

Simon, it is not dreadful at all … some people pay attention and some don’t. An author’s nationality has no bearing on what I read nor usually why I read it but I like -and rarely avoid- being aware of the background of a book.

Claire, I hope to read some Scottish fiction soon to share with you. The longer I am away from home the more I long for it too.

Astrid, it has been a LONG time since I read any Iain Banks but The Crow Road and The Wasp Factory are modern classics. I am delighted that you are enjoying Spark! I’ve been loving my recent reading of her too as it had been altogether too long since I had read any of her books.

Jenny, that appreciation that grows with distance is a curious phenomenon…

Rebecca, thanks for the link! I think I’ll be sticking with the modern for the time-being. I’d read both Burns and Stevenson! They’re very different but both imbue Scottishness very well.

Merenia, I remember you telling me about DE Stevenson and the Borders. I really must read Miss Buncle’s Book at some point.
I haven’t attempted 44 Scotland Street, truth be told it doesn’t appeal.

Hi Alexandra, thanks for commenting for the first time. I am ignorant of Dorothy Dunnet so thank you for the recommendation!
JK Rowling doesn’t really count but we do like to adopt her as out own!

Miranda, no, I haven’t read O. Douglas but I shall now! Thank you for the tip.

Sarah, to be honest I have only read Waverley by Scott myself! It wasn’t by choice either. He most definitely captures a particular side of Scotland.
I wasn’t aware of Gavin Maxwell but will be seeking him out.

Kim, I think it is essential that we maintain and cherish our roots however we can and through our love of reading is as good away as any.

I didn’t know you were half-Scottish! I did know about your other half being Irish though.
My grandparents are Irish, which goes someway to explaining my penchant for Irish literature but also the fact that it is so bloody good!
Jodie
March 4th, 2010 @ 2:49 pm

Nope I had no idea you were Scottish, but I haven’t been reading here for years or anything so I must have missed all the posts about heather I really enjoyed the characters and the world of ‘The Bullet Trick’ by Louise Welsh (although I found the ending supect). Is there really no hope for you and McCall Smith, his books are such a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon and I always leave a Scotland Street novel feeling like I’ve learned something.
Rachel
March 8th, 2010 @ 4:36 pm

I’ve been trying to get through Trainspotting for years now. The dialect for some reason is impossible to me. Maybe I just need to go to Scotland to get some inspiration.
Paperback Reader
March 9th, 2010 @ 1:15 pm

Jodie, I forgive you if you missed all that mention of heather!

I haven’t read The Bullet Trick yet but I loved the seedy underbelly of Glasgow that was portrayed in Welsh’s debut, The Cutting Room; I was left feeling quite unsettled when I finished it.

I haven’t fully written off McCall Smith because, to be fair, I have only attempted The Ladies’ #1 Detective Agency.

Rachel, I’m from Scotland and I would dread meeting anyone that reminded me of a Trainspotting character! Especially Begbie. The Leith dialect is difficult and I appreciate your pain. Personally I love Irvine Welsh and went through a phase of reading all of his books several years ago and then studied him in a post-colonial lit class but he isn’t for everyone.