Lewis Grassic Gibbon: Sunset Song

[abecedarian]

Reading Lewis Grassic Gibbon's Sunset Song, set in Scotland in the early years of the 20th century, is like peering through a 'way-back machine'. Recommended by a friend, I might never have discovered it on my own. Sunet Song is the story of Chris Guthrie who is torn between her love of the land and her desire to escape the limited future that awaits her within her peasant culture. Gibbon skillfully interweaves the personal joys and sorrows of Chris's life with the greater historical and political events of the time.
According to the introduction, Sunset Song was not appreciated by some readers when it was first published in 1932. They objected to its frank treatment of sex and childbearing, its scorn for the rich and powerful, and its less-than kind treatment of the clergy. The book is not smutty in any way, but at the time of publication, I'm sure it did ruffle a few feathers. I appreciated the glossary at the back, since my experience with rural Scottish slang is limited at best. Benny Dick Tine, I could figure out on my own, but 'sharn', that's something else.
I highly recommend Sunset Song to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and want to publicly thank the friend who gave me the tip on this great read.

 

[steffee]

Benny Dick Tine

Huh?

'sharn'

Huh?

I highly recommend Sunset Song to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and want to publicly thank the friend who gave me the tip on this great read.

Aww, great review ABC! Sounds an educational read. Great "friend" too.

 

[abecedarian]

Benny Dick Tine= Benedictine

Sharn=dung in a semi-liquid state (aren't you glad you asked?)

 

[Stewart]

I bought a new copy of this recently as it's one I've wanted to read again without being "made to" by the school curriculum. At the moment I only have vague recollections of it as regards the prose style (written almost like community gossip), the marriages, and characters' names.

I've got a couple of books I want to read first but I'll be sure to come back and discuss it here.

 

[abecedarian]

I bought a new copy of this recently as it's one I've wanted to read again without being "made to" by the school curriculum. At the moment I only have vague recollections of it as regards the prose style (written almost like community gossip), the marriages, and characters' names.

I've got a couple of books I want to read first but I'll be sure to come back and discuss it here.

I didn't know it was a 'required reading' type book, but I can see why it might be used for such. The book is full of great phrases and incredible vocabulary. I think I'll try to find a copy at overstock or half.com.
There was a phrase that caught my attention since it reminded me of something my mil always said whenever she'd fixed a lot of food. In the book, when describing the wedding feast, Gibbon says they'd "ordered food enough to "feed the French, as the saying went." My mil's variation is "I've got enough food to feed Cox's army!" I wonder about the origins of the Scottish version..