Novels set in Scotland - recommendations please

[iloveblue]

Hi

I'm looking for one or two novels for my MIL. She is Scottish and thought it would be nice to find one with a Scottish flavour.

I have a few of the Isabel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith which I know are set in Edinburgh but I don't think they are quite up her street.

To give you an idea of her taste, she really enjoyed The Island by Victoria Hislop and likes Kate Morton.

Would be very grateful for any recommendations. Thank-you

[IrnBruTheNoo]

Ian Rankin.

Alan Bissett.

[Geistesabwesenheit]

Another vote for The Testament of Gideon Mack (A kind of re-write of Hogg's Justified Sinner). Greenvoe, Lanark and Trainspotting are all good too and I love Kelman's How Late It Was, How Late.

[unitarian]

Dorothy Dunnett.

[piebald]

Oh i forgot Andrew Greig--he is excellent, new book out too i think

[allergyhelp]

my pal is an Scottish Author and has a few books going around. one is Chasin That Carrot by Avril Saunders... I also had short factual stories on Tachras that she might like to read under Maude... called India st.. The Awakening. Action Man and Pearl.. hard going though if you dont know Glasgow slang..

[bettybosseye]

You should try, "this is not about me" by Janice Galloway.
Beautiful, poignant and honest writer who captures what being Scottish is.

[piebald]

She probably read A Scots Quair
Crosstitch books are great--I thought historical romance yuk and then couldnt stop reading them

[farawaytrees]

Isla Dewar's novels are really good and the one's I have read were set in Scotland.

[wolfhound]

Giles Foden's last King of Scotland - not set in Scotland (it's about Idi Amin!) but the main character - Idi Amin's doctor is Scottish and it's a brilliant book.

[SilverBrumby]

Lots of great suggestions here and lots that sound great that I haven't heard of.
If she likes historical novels you could get her Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett - that and the five that follow are a joy Lots of affecianados on Mumsnet too. They follow the adventures of Francis Crawford of Lymond in sixteenth century Scotland and his adventures all over the world over 6 novels.
How about Scottish biographies? Candia McWilliam's recent autobiorgraphy is very touching and interesting about Edinburgh in the 50s and 60s.
Prime of Miss Jean Brodie?
Poetry of Edwin Morgan/Sorley McLean?
Crowdie and Cream?
Hope you find something she likes.

[Firepile]

Oh and also Andrew O'Hagan - Our Fathers (set in Ayrshire, but not in an idyllic way). Personality (based on life of Lena Zavaroni) is also pretty good.

[Firepile]

Am agreeing with Suzi on Andrew Greig (loved Electric Brae, and the Return of John McNab is very funny), also Maggie O'Farrell sounds like it might fit well.

Think that Alasdair Gray might be hard going (and overly pervy)for a MIL. Though Lanark is brilliant.

What about Janice Galloway - Clara, or This is Not About Me - her account of growing up in Ayrshire. Grim but well written and evocative.

And Trumpet by Jackie Kay is wonderful (as long as she isn't homophobic - it is lyrical rather than explicit). Her memoir Red Dust Road is very good, too, and has some West of Scotland childhood bits in it - and some visits to Aberdeen where her parents met.

[Bobbyd]

Corrag by Susan Fletcher set in the highlands.

[crapbarry]

Way to Go by Alan Spence was one of my favourite novels when I was at uni, absolutely brilliant book.

I forgot Isla Dewar too - I adore her writing, and still re-read Keeping up With Magda from time to time.

[probablyaslytherin]

pink4ever, Another Time, Another Place is by Jessie Kesson. It was also made into a film. Her otherbooks are The White Bird Passes, Glitter of Mica and Where the Apple Ripens. She lived in Moray and Skene in Aberdeenshire and despite living in London for decades, still spoke very broad Doric.
I agree with Buddha Da, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox,any Robin Jenkins and Kate Atkinson but unless your mil's really keen on gritty stuff, avoid Denise Mina and especially Stuart McBride.

Or how about Amande's Bed by John Aberdein, story of a young boy, Peem, growing up in Aberdeen.

Sunset Song is also my favouite book, but I still beep over the prologue.

[seasalt]

I liked Being Emily by Anne Donovan.

[lololizzy]

ahh have fond memories of Gregory's Girl as was lucky to do that at school (the book not just film)..not really adult book though!

[suzikettles]

Buddha Da is a fabulous book!

[lololizzy]

ha not Trainspotting!!
Buddha Da ??

[LaurieFairyonthetreeEatsCake]

Yes to 'Sunset Song'.

I've never met anyone down here who has even heard of it. I did it in Scotland for my English O Level.

Still one of my favourite books - and 'Blawearie' one of my favourite words - completely evocative.

[suzikettles]

Andrew Greig is one of my favourite writers.

The Return of John Macnab is inspired by a John Buchan novel.

Electric Brae is another great one.

Also When They Lay Bare

His writing is beautiful.

[seasalt]

I have read a couple by Isla Dewar that were good, as far as i can remember .

[crapbarry]

Robin Jenkins wrote some lovely (well, grim, but beautifully written!) books - Poor Angus and Poverty Castle, and The Cone Gatherers are the only ones I can remember off the top of my head.

Lanark is AMAZING, but not everyone's cup of tea :o

Stuart MacBride writes some wonderfully grim but funny crime fiction based in Aberdeen.

Iain Banks has been mentioned already - The Crow Road is just my favourite book.

Emotionally Weird by Kate Atkinson is set in Dundee.

Alex Gray/Grey writes crime fiction set in Glasgow.

Christopher Brookmyre - A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil (I think it's called that) is a fabulous description of growing up and school in West Central Scotland - scarily accurate, it was like he was in my school playground!! :o

[TooImmature2BMum]

Another vote here for many of the ones mentioned!

A Scots Quair
The Thirty Nine Steps
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Cross Stitch series
Some Walter Scott - Ivanhoe, Rob Roy etc, if she likes classics.

I love Christopher Brookmyre too, but maybe not the best for a MIL!