Read Scotland 2017 discussion

Our first choice is a Neil Gunn book. He is one of Scotland's most prolific and distinguished authors. Although most of his books are set in the Highland's he is not considered a regional author. His novels reflect a search for meaning in troubled times, past and present. So many novels to pick from, Silver Darlings is considered a classic.

This is a long book! I don't usually do long books so this will be a real challenge for me. We'll start March 1st, or as close to that as you get whatever your reading then finished! If your going to read -a-long sign up in the comments below.

For those in the US you can get copies for $4 here...https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-Darli... or probably your local library!

I'm excited to read this! It has really good reviews. We'll pick something easier and shorter next time!

Somehow I messed up when posting this the first time and posted it as a book discussion outside of the group. I'm so glad I did message everyone in the group with that link though :) So here it is 'in' the group! So far John, Jim, Beth and I are signed up so you guys don't have to 'sign-up' again. Sorry, I've been really sick with a respiratory infection this last week and was a little ditzy.

I'm in too Peggy. Jack has already read it.

Katrina wrote: "I'm in too Peggy. Jack has already read it."

Good! I was worried you both had read it.

Include me in, I know very little about the Highland clearances and the lives of those effected, so should be an interesting read.

I'd like to do this too please

I just found this note, and count me in... this author looks really good! thanks for the recommendation : )

My book has arrived from the U.K.! It's so lovely

My copy arrived yesterday - second hand from Amazon - excellent!

I can't get the book where I live, but my daughter is coming from the UK at end of March with a copy for me. Will you all be done with the read-along by then?

Lorna wrote: "I can't get the book where I live, but my daughter is coming from the UK at end of March with a copy for me. Will you all be done with the read-along by then?"

Depends when everyone gets their books and gets started reading Lorna. We are aiming for doing it in March. Let's see if everyone has their books.

How is everyone doing finding a copy of the book? Let me know if you are ready or if your still waiting on a book or if you've changed your mind about joining in. I know I have my copy, Jim has his and Katrina does. Lorna won't have hers until the end of March.

Hi, I've got my copy from the library, happy to start whenever you say :)

Hi, I've also got my copy from the library, and happy to start.

Got a copy and will start reading!

Downloaded mine from Amazon UK so ready to roll! My husband is just out of hospital after surgery so I am hoping, I can fit in some quiet time for reading while he sleeps upstairs!

I have a large map of Scotland on my wall and when they mention a town or port in the book I run look it up to see if its a real place and where it is. I took a picture of the area The Silver Darlings is set in and posted it to the group photos so you all could look too! Check it out!

Thanks Peggy, interesting to see where it's set, my grasp of Scottish geography is embarrassingly bad! Only on the 2nd chapter but enjoying it so far...
PS: Never heard the name 'Tormad' before, I like it.

Ellen wrote: "Thanks Peggy, interesting to see where it's set, my grasp of Scottish geography is embarrassingly bad! Only on the 2nd chapter but enjoying it so far...
PS: Never heard the name 'Tormad' before, I..."

I've heard of Tormad but not Torquil. I have to look these names pronunciations up as it drives me nuts to read something and not know if I'm pronouncing it correctly! I'm half way through the first chapter. Didn't get a chance to read today.

A good start! I was quite surprised by the first chapter. I didn’t expect both high emotion and exciting action. I really thought it was all to be quite evenly paced and poetic. Well, it’s looking good already.

I hadn't heard of Tormad either. I wondered if it was another form of Dermot.

Jim wrote: "A good start! I was quite surprised by the first chapter. I didn’t expect both high emotion and exciting action. I really thought it was all to be quite evenly paced and poetic. Well, it’s looking ..."

It is a good book, Jim! I looked it up, Tormad is Scottish Gaelic for Norman!

Curious as to how to discuss the book without giving spoilers... are you going to set up chapters for discussions? So far am enjoying this and realizing also what a hard life the fishing communities had back then...

Neil Gunn was an excellent writer. I bought the book at a second hand book stall. Later I was lucky enough to be able to see the stage play and later purchase the film.

Theresa wrote: "Curious as to how to discuss the book without giving spoilers... are you going to set up chapters for discussions?

I feel the same. I'm now into chapter 10 and wee bit reluctant to discuss too much without knowing where others are. How is everybody else getting on?

I'm on chapter 5, the story moves quickly!

I'm happy to discuss chapters, or if that will take too long, we could break the book up into chunks?

Loving this style and subject - I'd forgotten how much I enjoy these sort of books.

I'm on chapter 7. I'm not sure how to go about discussing this as this is my first read-a-long. If someone else wants to take the lead on this be my guest!

So much in the first two chapters! I love the descriptive writing and the characters. Am enjoying it a lot. Catherine, you are so lucky to have seen the play and the movie! I'll have to see if I can find the movie.

It really doesn't matter to me how we discuss it (chapters, chunks, themes? characters?) I am just having fun reading this. Can't believe I hadn't seen this author before! Thanks Peggy for setting this up.

It's very hard to think that someone could just snatch my husband and take him away like that to maybe never see him for years or ever! The hardships and injustice these people endured are unbelievable.

I know! It's shocking, I knew a little about press-ganging but didn't realise quite how brutal and powerful they were. Did anyone else think, at the very beginning, that the story was going to follow Tormad? Instead of Catrine? Though I'm happy it did, she's a fascinating character.

Ellen wrote: "I know! It's shocking, I knew a little about press-ganging but didn't realise quite how brutal and powerful they were. Did anyone else think, at the very beginning, that the story was going to foll..."

Yes, I was surprised when he was gone so quickly! I thought the book was going to be about the two of them. I love that the herring are referred to as Darlings

Yes, Silver Darlings is a lovely name. My mum had heard the term and knew what they were, I wouldn't have had a clue!

Ellen wrote: "Yes, Silver Darlings is a lovely name. My mum had heard the term and knew what they were, I wouldn't have had a clue!"
I've read several books with herring fishing in it set in Maine USA and they never referred to them that way. Lobsters are called bugs in Maine.

Peggy wrote: "I'm on chapter 7. I'm not sure how to go about discussing this as this is my first read-a-long. If someone else wants to take the lead on this be my guest!

How about if I put up a separate thread for the first six chapters so we can discuss including spoilers. I'll do it now and see if you think that's ok

Here's a link to that thread for the first six chapters

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I see some of you are getting well through the 600 amazing pages of the Silver Darlings, so I've put in discussion threads for other sections of the book.

Here are the links:-

Chapters 7 to 13 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Chapters 14 - 19 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Chapters 20 onwards + whole book https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

thanks Jim this looks great.

Jim wrote: "I see some of you are getting well through the 600 amazing pages of the Silver Darlings, so I've put in discussion threads for other sections of the book.

Here are the links:-

Chapters 7 to 13 ht..."

Thanks Jim!

I started to read this book and have now misplaced it! I've never misplaced a book before. Especially one as thick as this one! Ugh.

I've done this a few times, Beth :) hope it turns up!

Hey everyone, sorry if this is inappropriate - I didn't want to bring this up - though I've mentioned it to Peggy. I suffer with chronic illness, these last few days I haven't been well, but I'm still enjoying reading your comments, opinions, and seeing your book recommendations! If I don't reply straight away, I'm sorry, please don't think I'm rude or disinterested.
On a happier note, I'm ill for the best of reasons: last Friday I helped birth two baby goats for the first time. It was exciting and scary and intense and used up a lot of energy! So at the moment I'm pretty much in bed or cuddling tiny kids. I check Goodreads often - interested to see your thoughts and insights, and I'm brewing up replies even if I can't type them just yet. Keep it up! Ellen xx

Ellen wrote: "Hey everyone, sorry if this is inappropriate - I didn't want to bring this up - though I've mentioned it to Peggy. I suffer with chronic illness, these last few days I haven't been well, but I'm st..."

Ellen, how wonderful, getting to help with the goats! If your going to feel unwell thats a great reason to and cuddling the babies is wonderful therapy. I'm jealous! I hope you feel better quickly! ❤️

Found my lost book! Now to catch up, :/

Yay - enjoy Beth! :)

Beth wrote: "Found my lost book! Now to catch up, :/"

Better late than never! Lorna wasn't going to get her book until the end of March. The two of you could read together!