A round of Applause

by Norman MacCaig

1962. No Edition Remarks. 64 pages. No dust jacket. This is an ex-Library book. Red cloth. Ex-Library copy, with expected inserts, stamps and inscriptions. Binding remains firm. Pages are lightly tanned throughout. Boards have light shelf-wear with corner bumping. Light sunning to spine and edges.

64 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1962

About the author

MacCaig was born in Edinburgh and divided his time, for the rest of his life, between his native city and Assynt in the Scottish Highlands. He registered as a conscientious objector during World War II. In 1967 he was appointed Fellow in Creative Writing at Edinburgh. He became a reader in poetry in 1970, at the University of Stirling.

Reviews

[Boy Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A round of applause indeed. Two years after A Common Grace and I'd say this collection is twice as good. Barely a single dud and there's something for everyone. A few extracts........

If you're a Whisky drinker then you've got Ballade of Good Whisky

You whose ambition is to swim the Minch
Or write a drum concerto in B flat
Or run like Bannister or box like Lynch
Or find the Ark wrecked on Mt Ararat -
No special training's needed: thin or fat,
You'll do it if you never once supplant
As basis of your commissariat
Glenfiddich, Bruichladdich, and Glengrant.

If you're looking forward to going home then Ordinary Homecoming should do the trick.

Not one shade could be grudged, one oily glint
From the black sea. All that had been before
Must be in the narrow moment, that held it all,
When the clenched fist knocked lightly on the door.

If you like to hike then High up on Suilven was written for you.

There are more reasons for hills
Than being steep and reaching only high.

I thought MacCaig might stray from the beaten track of rhyming structure he's followed so closely the last few collections but if anything this is the most regimented so far but it's also his best.

Add to the aforementioned poems; Sun Blink, Loch na Bearraig, July Evening, Midnight, Lochinver, All Being Equal, and Culag Pier to get my favourites.

Makes you want to drop it all and set out across the Highlands.

Messages by mirrors, to anywhere,
Under the hawk that hangs like an apostle
Over his own bad news. The water rings
Clearer than coins. And with a whispering whistle