The Song of the Forest: A Novel of Scotland in the Dark Ages

by Colin Mackay

Lyrical, intense, and foreboding, this is a remarkable first novel. Set in the Dark Ages, it tells of a year in the life of a remote village, the labors of its inhabitants, their struggles and fleeting pleasures in the face of threatening forces that surround them. The forest dominates their lives—in it lurk the fierce riders who come to rob, kill, and rape, and from it they evoke a being, half-man, half-clay, for their defense.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 1987

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read this book again because I feel if I had been properly focused on it in the beginning, it could have been a 5 star read for me. The writing is absolutely gorgeous. You can definitely tell that the author is a poet. The story is a beautiful, magical tale that made me feel like I was in an epic power metal song at times. (That's a definite plus for me.) The dialogue was a bit difficult because they used a lot of words that I am unfamiliar with, but it became easier as I read more.

[Juliet Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, lyrical novel, set in an ancient Scotland where people were still living in tune with the rhythms of nature. A community are threatened by attacks from raiders and find a novel way to protect themselves by building a protector out of clay (like a golem, but Scottish).

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 1987, when it was new on the scene, and have hung onto my copy, because I loved it so much. It's 2017, and I just got 'round to re-reading it. It has lost nothing of its shine for me, I'm happy to report. The Song of the Forest is more fairy story or folk tale than true fantasy, but lovers of all those genres have a good chance of enjoying it. Although the book is slim, Mackay manages to fill it to bursting with so many good things: a good tale, first of all, with many meandering but entertaining side stories told or remembered by the characters; beautiful and knowledgeable descriptions of Scottish nature; a multitude of different "voices" which give flesh to the different characters, both human and animal; beautiful prose; and above all a great humanity and generousity of spirit toward the failings of the characters.

Plenty of truth and beauty, no preaching.

[Claudette Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can live an entire decade without encountering writing that draws me in. Furthermore, most often I don't get past the first twenty or so pages of any work before I put it aside, having caught the gist, and turn to something else. However, one paragraph of this book hooked me enough to commit to reading the work in its entirety. Even more surprising, as I look back, I can deem it time well spent.

It doesn't hurt that I happen to love Scotland, folklore, medieval times, and poetry (in crafting this story, Mackay never strays far from being a poet). And it didn't hurt to learn that Mackay clearly did not see the success that his talent deserved. Ultimately, I read this cover to cover in order to advocate for another writer who was crushed under today's publishing industry. The least we could do, and now the most we can do, is read him.

Of course, this book would have benefitted from the editorial attention and support of, say, a Maxwell Perkins, so that we're not reminded for the 20th time that Mungo is old, Soldier big, and Mairi a little girl (that lack of trust in the reader is a common shortcoming in debuts). Although Mackay's hand can always be seen controlling the narrative, yet that same hand finely hones each word in each sentence like the bard he was, so one forgets to be annoyed.

If you're not familiar with the Scots language, you will want a dictionary handy. At any rate, give this poignant story a read.

[Renate Dorien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up in a charity shop because it sounded like it would tick all my boxes. Took a bit for me to get into it, but will definitaly re-read. Beautifull folkloric story.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you want to live in !