The Wee Book of Calvin

by Bill Duncan

A collection of essays and aphorisms about Scottish Calvinism. This is Scottish literary humour at its finest.

'A work of contemporary shamanism, with all the bluff, poetry, deranged humour, sleight-of-hand and real magic that implies.' - Don Paterson.

This is the first (and maybe the last) self-help guide that promises to make you feel a lot worse after you read it. A hilarious satire on freeze-dried mysticism and off-the-shelf enlightenment, it is also a haunting and lyrical reflection on places, voices and memories - a literary journey into the heart of North-East darkness.

'A perfect evocation of Scotland's mysterious love affair with loss and sorrow. A powerful dram of Zen Calvinism.' - Richard Holloway

Genres: Humor

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2004

About the author

Bill Duncan is a Scottish writer. His non-fiction, prose and poetry has appeared in Chapman, Gairfish, The Source and Northwords. He taught English and media studies in Tayside and lives in Dundee.

Reviews

[David Smart]

One or two interesting observations and quotes, but got bored half way through

[Katrina]

Growing up I heard at lot of these sayings, or variations of these sayings, from the mouths of grandmothers, grandfathers, great aunts and the like. At the time the words filled me with just the right amount of dread, however, revisiting them in this format I had quite the opposite reaction. It's very rare that a book makes me laugh out loud, but Bill Duncan's collection had me in stitches.

Most certainly worth a look.

[adam]

If you have 90 minutes and want a laugh, this book is perfect. A collection of sayings from the "north-east" (of Scotland), this book pairs sets of aphorisms with short chapters by the author reflecting on his memories of his grandparents and "the old ways." Although it turns sentimental toward the end, it's poignant in a way.

[Commander Law]

If you're from the NE o' Scotland or are thinking of moving there, read it.