To be read: Edinburgh writers

  

Coincidentally, I have three books by local writers to read this week, the first one of which is about the city itself.

I'm already well on with Michael Fry's Edinburgh, and a fascinating read it is, exploring the contrasts and paradoxes behind what Sir John Betjeman called "the most beautiful city in Europe", and charting its evolution from early settlement on the craggiest of its seven hills to elegant, enlightened, cultured capital.

   

Mentioned by Michael Fry in a passage on the way the city is represented and portrayed in contemporary literature is friend of Cornflower Books, Alexander McCall Smith. However, it's not one of his Edinburgh novels I shall be reading this week; Corduroy Mansions is set in London, and was originally available online in daily instalments (the author talks about it here). I read it then and shall be delighted to revisit it in book form now.

From a very well-known and prolific Edinburgh writer to a city author's first novel. Elaine di Rollo's A Proper Education for Girls was first published under the title The Peachgrowers' Almanac and follows Victorian twin sisters Lilian and Alice "on their very different paths to freedom".
One review describes it as " a generous, rollicking read... it harks back to the loving pastiche of Angela Carter and ... the camp Victoriana of Susanna Clarke and Michel Faber".
Intrigued? I am. More on this soon!

Comments

[Danielle]

I have the di Rollo book to read as well. Wow-what totally different covers we have. The US version is much more sedate! I'm looking forward to and can't wait to hear what you think of it1

[Tara]

I've seen the di Rollo book around and am really curious about it. Will be waiting for your review!