Bookends
Am Bratach|No 316, February 2018

“She Said He Said I Said: New Writing Scotland 35”, edited by Diana Hendry and Susie Maguire, Association for Scottish Literary Studies, 2017. £9.95.

Kevin Crowe
Bookends

THE ANNUAL Association for Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS) anthologies are always worth reading, bringing together poetry and fiction from both famous names and newcomers from across Scotland. The latest is no exception, with a wide range of fine writing. Inevitably with any anthology, not every piece will appeal to everyone, but there is more than enough in these pages to satisfy even the sternest of critics. I found it particularly interesting to be introduced to many writers whose work I was not familiar with. Highland writers are well represented, including several from Caithness and Sutherland.

The poetry ranges from sonnets to free verse and includes humour, anger and reflection. Some are historical, some pastoral, some political and some highly personal. James McGonigal’s “Hearing Aid (Noisy Bastards)” concerns the first time wearing the aid. It begins with “Stop shouting at me, everything!” and goes on to describe the water tap as “NIAGARA” and a knife buttering toast as “SANDPAPERING”. The use of upper case letters is particularly effective.

In “Accounting for Elspeth McQueen, Kirkcudbright 1689” Hugh McMillan has an unusual take on the burning of a witch. The horror of burning women at the stake becomes even starker in this poem that lists the financial cost of the execution, including the cost of the peat, coal, rope, tar barrel and even the executioner’s drink which “...cost the council,/they noted, a pint at the start,/seven more/while she burned.”

This story is from the No 316, February 2018 edition of Am Bratach.

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This story is from the No 316, February 2018 edition of Am Bratach.

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