A classic of short fiction, Alan Spence's celebrated debut collection, first published in 1977, brings Glasgow to vibrant life and captures the spirit of the city as it teetered on the brink of change. From childhood Christmases in small tenement flats and games played on scrubland, to Orange Walks on bright Saturday afternoons and Thursday nights in dark, pulsing dancehalls, these interlinked stories vividly evoke the city and its inhabitants - young and old, Catholic and Protestant, hopeful and disillusioned.
Poetic, affectionate and moving stories of Glasgow street life -- Sunday Times
A calm and necessary visionary -- Ali Smith
One of Scotland's most accomplished literary talents -- The Times
Beautifully observed . . . in each story there is a shining and unforced truthfulness -- Edwin Morgan
Brilliant . . . exquisitely and beautifully written stories -- Liz Lockhead
Like Chekhov's stories . . . [Spence] is a writer to cherish --
Scotsman
Author
About Alan Spence
Alan Spence is an award-winning poet and playwright, novelist and short story writer. His awards include the McVitie Prize for Scottish Writer of the Year. He is based in Edinburgh where he and his wife run the Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre. He is Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Aberdeen, where he is also Artistic Director of the annual WORD Festival.
