Quines

by Gerda Stevenson

Poems giving voices to 67 remarkable women of Scotland from thousands of years BC to 21st century women. A diverse range of women are represented through poetic monologues in Scots and English. This powerful, unique, well-researched collection is a new landmark in the fine tradition of Scottish women's writing from a renowned poet and performer.

Genres: Poetry, Feminism

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Gerda Stevenson is a Scottish actress, director and writer, described by The Scotsman in 1999 as 'Scotland's finest actress'. She has played a vast range of parts in the theatre, including both Desdemona and Lady MacBeth, and has appeared in many television dramas. She was Murren's mother in the Mel Gibson film Braveheart, and her voice is familiar to listeners of British radio, as a reader of short stories and adaptations. As a writer she has adapted a number of works for radio, most recently The Heart of Midlothian by Sir Walter Scott for BBC Radio 4, nominated for a Sony Award in 2008. Gerda played the part of the heroine Jeanie Deans. Gerda Stevenson's partner was the Scottish Gaelic poet Aonghas MacNeacail and she has published poetry and stories herself.

Her father is the musician and composer Ronald Stevenson. Her sister Savourna Stevenson (born 1961) has recorded many works on the Scottish harp.

Reviews

[anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

got very emotional at 9am about obituaries because of this. 5 stars

[Brandon Enriquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A written portrait of some of Scotland’s greatest women. Well-researched and beautiful to read, a real treasure with some rather interesting and unique characters and perspectives. The Scots can be a bit of a challenge for the unfamiliar but the glossary does help quite a bit. Be sure to take some time with it and return to them from time to time, for intrigue and fine prose.

Note: I had the pleasure of meeting the author in Edinburgh during the Fall of 2019, she’s a great woman who takes a lot of care and puts a lot of work into her writing and it shows.

[Jill Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliantly written short poems on some of Scotland's great (and largely ignored) women. So many stories, and so many lives I want to find out more about.

[Vee Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to this poetry collection because of Eliza Junor but savoured every single one. A triumph.

[Ian Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great selection of important women hailed in this collection of poems.

[Ingibjörg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous poems celebrating the many women of Scotland. Much needed and timely piece of work!