‘.'\/APITIME DRAMA ANNE MACLEOD The Dark Ship
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Remember the 'Great' War? Well. me neither; but here. there is a distinct sense that we should grasp its lessons before it fades further into the history books.
T he Dark Stin is fascinating because it both powerfully evokes the tear aitd confusion of the Front. and provides a highly affecting depiction of the lives of those left behind on the Isle of LeWis.
Like A Scots Qua/r. Anne MacLeod's debut is a picture of the last days of a crofting society. although it is less conscioust elegiac than Grassic Gibbons itiasterpiece. MacLeod's characters are sympathetic. but tar from perfect. and her range of narrative voices —« from mercurial poet Iain to modern—day TV producer Zoe ~~ is impressive.
Where her novel underachieves is in its inability to take the points it makes about the way history is constructed to a satisfying conclusion. But The Dark Ship is concerned more wrth deep emotions than dour theory. and its portrait of a changing community is strongly compelling. (James Smartl
FUTURISTIC CRIME PAUL JOHNSTON The House Of Dust (Hodder & Stoughton 5:16.99) 0..
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'tr )llt"l‘}r’t in the nmr Tradition he's tht- sirlr; of the law. but sometirrtes likes to bend Ill. investigating Murder in .2028 Edinburgh,
Ravaged l)‘. drug ‘.‘.’Etl§§. it"; a slightly (l!ll(:lt:lll «it; from the one we knov. nova. and Paul Johnston doesn't miss a chance to cantment on the landmarks rCrarrrond Islartd as a high securrt‘, tail. for onei. The creation of high technology prison states forms the backdrop. as 'Ouint' is taken to New Oxford in his quest to solve a series of murders.
Johnston mixes political comment and suspense-filled drama with sci-fr musings creating an (3tlj()\'£ll)l(? ride. But the gung-ho cliches that end every other paragraph Jerk us out of his finely created world, like potholes iii the road.
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AMERICAN DRAMA COLSON
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Here's an author who revels in opposing yet complementan pairings. And who not only has the technical skill to weave tltem into a narrative. without ever letting the mechanics of his art show but also has the audacity to point up those mechanics along the way. Rich and poor. black and white. high-class and hobo. modern artd mvthical. Colson Whitehead drives hrs narrative with all the flawless rhythm of a stt-éeI-dr'rving hammer. while Jumping from one perspective to the next on even beat.
But rt is the opposing
Heroes reign here. Or: one hand. have .JOltt‘ Hertn,. the mythical steel driver of folk legend 2"". .‘.Il‘8 a race against a stearrt-drill while lililltllltt} the Chesapeake ("x Ol‘m railroad in 1872. And on the other. J. Sutter. Junketeer extraordinaire and writer of modern puff journalism who is sent to Mint)! the first annual John Henn. Days in tgack‘.'.oo(ts Virginia. A none. that converges to its ven, last word. leaving you exasperated there isn't more.
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Blue Lonesome iCanongate 5,999) O...
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Loneliness can be a killer. Arid for Jim Messengr-zr. this is true both literally and figuratively. His non— descript life is given a purpose when he becomes fascrnated by a strange woman who frequents hrs neigthLirhood cafe. and exhibits the same signs of emptiness. When he learns that she has committed suicide. and that the police have no clue about her identity. he is driven to take on the investigation himself.
His search leads him to a small. dusty desert town. where he discovers that a terrible crime has been committed. for which the townsfolk blame the mysterious woman. Convinced of her innocence. he sets about trying to Clear her name. but rt seems everyone in the town has a secret. and the situation rapidly spirals cut of control. Much more than a standard crime thriller. this is a dark. psychological study which shows the ugliness of human nature. lKirsty Knaggsl
Books
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SCOTLAND ON A PLATE COOKERYEVENT
Join Ferrier Richardson with some of the finest chels in Scotland as they share the secrets ol their success and let you taste their favourite dishes.
MONDAY l8TH JUNE 7PM
ANTHONY NOLAN BONE MARROW TRUST/ EURASIA DINNER
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TUESDAY 19TH JUNE 7PM
NICK HORNBY
at the GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL Author of Fever Pitch and High Fidelity
will be discussing his new novel
HOW TO BE GOOD
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THURSDAY 215T JUNE 7PM
CARL MACDOUGALL
Author of The Cassanova Papers, Stone Over Water and The Lights Below will be discussing his new book PAINTING THE FORTH BRIDGE A SEARCH FOR SCOTTISH IDENTITY
MONDAY 9TH JULY IPM
NEIL GAIMAN i
The writer of the Sandman graphic novels will be signing copies of his new novel
AMERICAN GODS
MONDAY 16TH JULY
CHUCK PALAHNIUK
Author Ol Fight Club
will be reading from his new novel
CJJQKE 5
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7—2‘. Jun 2T29' THE LIST 109