It's Easter Rising. Last year of course was the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Dublin. For those who believe in such things there was an earlier, religious ‘rising’ which we now celebrate with chocolate eggs. Go figure. Tradition’s a strange thing. And every right minded reader knows that Christmas is the time when new books flock to the fore. However, this month I’m able to tell you of a wheen of new books that have come to my attention.
Hot on the heels of the two William Morris biographies last month, Deveron Press this month brings out James Leatham’s ‘Shakespeare Studies’ (on the anniversary of the date of the death and birth of the Bard.) Of course Shakespeare probably wasn’t born on the 23rd April (handily St Georges Day) any more than Jesus was born on December 25th, but he died (allegedly) on that day and since no one was sure when he was born (I’m still talking Shakespeare here) they tied it all up nicely and gave him the same date to be born and die on. Nice trick if you can manage it. Leatham’s Shakespeare studies are like nothing you will have read before. Isn’t that enough to whet your appetite. Find out more in our Gateway article. And Deveron Press are marking the end of the Centenary Year with the full Centenary Collection ready to purchase in one handy set for a bargain price. Find out more HERE. But Deveron Press are not resting on anyone’s laurels and looking forward to Centenary + the first brand new book is out this May (but pre-publication sales have already been flying off the virtual shelves). It is the debut collection of short stories by Macduff loon Pat Hutchison. You may have come across his stories on the internet, especially on McStorytellers, but Deveron have captured a whole 26 of them in a collection titled ‘Sanners Gow’s Tales and Folklore of the Buchan’ which is out now, though officially launched on May 20th in Turriff. (Macduffers will get a first shout on May 6th) and before that on May 1st at the opening of the ‘New’ Museum in Turriff (the very same building in which James Leatham was Provost) Pat will be ‘in residence’ signing copies and maybe even reading a wee story or two. And for those who like to be well prepared, word is that Pat’s second short story collection will be out in good time for the Xmas market! Beyond that, this month sees the anniversary of the death of Samuel Rutherford Crockett, and Orraman offers a reflection on the restoration of reputations. In Gateway another weel kent but lang forgoteen man, Sandy Cran, is featured. All in all there’s plenty to keep you reading well into May. Rab Christie Comments are closed.
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