Green Are My Mountains

by Christine Marion Fraser

Christine Marion Fraser was brought up in the Govan tenements in Glasgow; as a child there, in the 1950s, she contracted a rare muscular disease which led to her being confined in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Not deterred by her disability, she went on to lead a normal life. She married Ken and had a daughter, Evelyn. Her spirits were not affected. With her characteristic warmth and good humour, she conveys the joy of finding a little house, a home where she and her family could live in with the surrounding beauty of the landscape. But it was a home that was full of problems, structurally. The leaky roof was a contention for them … the lack of a tank for water was another. There were mice … a constant presence. Tania, her beloved dog was her main companion during the day. Despite the problems that came with the cottage, Christine was determined to see her first book, Rhanna, published. In Green Are My Mountains, bestselling author Christine Marion Fraser continues the uplifting and inspiring story which began in Blue Above the Chimneys and Roses Round the Door. Christine Marion Fraser (1938-2002) was one of Scotland's best-selling authors. She was the author of the much-loved Rhanna series, a Scottish saga set on the Hebridean island of Rhanna. She also wrote the acclaimed King’s Croft series as well as the Noble series. Christine’s formative years were spent in the post-war Govan district of Glasgow and she spent her later life in Argyll with her husband.

Genres: Nonfiction

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 1990

About the author

Christine Marion Fraser was one of Scotland's best-selling authors, outselling even Catherine Cookson. She published 22 books in 18 years and was the author of the much-loved Rhanna series. Her formative years were spent in the post-war Govan district of Glasgow and went on to become a beacon of Scottish publishing. Christine spent her later life in Argyll with her husband and family.

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book concludes with a good end for Fraser’s autobiographical trilogy, but it isn’t as good as the previous two volumes. The author is best at writing about truly frightening life and death situations. Fraser became a famed writer, and as such I bet she felt there was a need to speak about her writing career and the difficulties authors confront when getting books published. At the very end of the final volume the focus turns to the death of a loved one, her half-sister Mary. Once again, the writing excels.

Her writing continues to have a large portion of humor. She is good writing about pets and animals. The family always has a talking parakeet, frequently saying inopportune things at the wrong time. You can’t help but smile. The problem is that we have heard about the family’s Samoyeds and talking birds in earlier volumes. This becomes a repeat. Interest sags. Basically, the books go on too long. Keep the essential and throw out the repeat.

The author speaks also about lovely scenic and historic locations, camping and summer holidays spent on islands and lochs of the Scottish Argyll region. Popular in Scotland, I’m sure the author is here writing for her Scottish fans!

This book is good, but it doesn’t have the strength or potency of the earlier volumes.

Caroline Guthrie reads the RNIB recordings of the entire trilogy. I have reduced my audio rating to three from four stars, in this the final volume. Caroline’s voice fails to capture Christine's growing maturity as she ages. She continues to speak the Glasgow dialect with a heavy accent.

The book reads as a summary of the trilogy.

********************

1.Blue Above the Chimneys 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2.Roses Round the Door 5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3.Green Are My Mountains 3 stars

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I missed book one, loved books two and this was book three of Christine Marion Fraser's life. I really really loved it. Guess I should have given it a 5 star. It was just more of her everday life living in and trying to make liveable, a little cottage in the highlands. At the end of the book, they still didn't have a bathroom. It was published in 1990, so that is pretty amazing. But her writing of dealing with beginning to be a well-known writer, the process of writing, her everyday life with her husband and daughter and their Samoyed, living near Holy Loch - she made it all so interesting it was hard to put down. I wish this weren't her last book of autobiography. I wanted to know more! Lots of descriptions of the highlands, which I loved.

[Patricia L .Jex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a talented writer. Her style is engaging, and wonderfully descriptive. She draws you right into the setting and paints the scene in rich detail. Best of all, this is a true story. I love real experiences told and lived by real people. I kept questioning the fact that the author was wheelchair bound as she tells about her forays out into the woods, up and down hills. She clearly doesn't see herself as limited, which I loved. Reading about how others face challenges always helps me see my own existence a little differently. I found myself cheering this family on and wanting to know what they were going to repair next. I hope the roof eventually got fixed!

[Jean Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful

Ah, unforgettable story of Christine's life. I laughed and cried. Had read all of the Rhanna sagas before I read these accounts of her life.
Made me ashamed of my wee moans when I read of the grit, determination and sheer joy she experienced and gave to others, in overcoming her illness that left her chair bound

[Joy Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this Book

[Chamodi Waidyathilaka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly thi felt like a diary notes. but its very interesting. how she adjusted to live in the new cottage with her family and how her success as an author continued while living there.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these autobiographies. I've now read the first three and just learned that she did write a fourth! Now I need to find me a copy!