Wee Macgreegor

by J.J. Bell

Wee Macgregor is a boy of around seven or eight from the decent and kind sort of working-class family with which Glasgow's East End abounds, now and then. He has a wee sister called Jeannie, A Maw called Lizzie and a Paw called John.
He had his genesis, 10 years before author J.J. Bell put pen to paper in 1901, in an overheard fragment of conversation on a Glasgow Fair Saturday on a boat going doon the watter when a distracted mother of five said to her eldest, ''Macgregor, tak yer paw's haun, or ye'll get nae carvies tae yer tea''. Carvies are, of course, sugared caraway seeds, unfashionable these days except in Indian restaurants, but a widely used breath-sweetener and children's treat at the time.
The language and the dialect are part of the charm of the stories and the play, with words like stroop (the spout of a teapot), sumph (a lout), and grumphy (a pig) and they are instantly recognisable in context.

192 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1933

About the author

John Joy Bell known professionally as J.J. Bell, was a journalist and author. Born in Hillhead, Glasgow, Bell was schooled at Kelvinside Academy and Morrison's Academy. He attended the University of Glasgow, where he studied chemistry. After taking up journalism, Bell worked for the Glasgow Evening Times, and as sub-editor of the Scots Pictorial. His articles depicted the life of working-class Glaswegians, and were often written in the vernacular.

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'm going to have to DNF this. I've read the first 3 chapters and I can see the charm, and understand why it would appeal to Scottish youngsters of my parents' generation (i salvaged it from my mum's library) but it's a challenging read for anyone raised South of the border, even if they were given annual infusions or Broons and Oor Wullie annuals by their grandparents. It has a glossary at the end but I'm coming across words I don't recognise that aren't even in the glossary. I just feel like the work/pleasure ratio isn't going to be enough to carry me through
.

[David Meiklejohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of short sketches published in the Evening Times, featuring the Robinson family, and especially McGregor, or McGreegor as most of his family an friends call him. Most of the dialogue is in broad Glaswegian, and the stories are full of humour as well as real fondness among the family. A great wee read.

[Geraldine O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my fondest memories is that of my school teacher reading this aloud to our class on a Friday afternoon as a special treat.

It is witty and entertaining in a gentle way.

I wish someone would dramatise the J J Bell stories!