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Now considered a modern classic, Consider the Lilies focuses on the eviction of an old woman from her croft.
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The Highland Clearances, the eviction of crofters from their homes between 1792 and the 1850s, was one of the cruellest episodes in Scotland¿s history. In Consider the Lilies Iain Crichton Smith captures its impact through the thoughts and memories of an old woman who has lived all her life within the narrow confines of her community. Alone and bewildered by the demands of the factor, Patrick Sellar, she approaches the minister for help, only to have her faith shattered by his hypocrisy. She finds comfort, however, from a surprising source: Donald Macleod, an imaginative and self-educated man who has been ostracised by his neighbours, not least by Mrs Scott herself, on account of his atheism. Through him and through the circumstances forced upon her, the old woman achieves new strength. Written with compassion, in spare, simple prose, Consider the Lilies is a moving testament to the enduring qualities which enable the oppressed to triumph in defeat.
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Her name was Mrs Scott and she was an old woman of about seventy. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Her name was Mrs Scott and she was an old woman of about seventy. Read the first page
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In Scotland in the 1790s to the 1850s the Highland Clearances evicted or burned out thousands of poor-born crofters and small landholders by force, in much the same way that, in the same century, rich landowners used their control of state processes to appropriate public land for their private benefit in England through the Enclosures Act. Iain Crichton Smith's plain little novel tells the story of one old woman who is threatened with eviction and how she finds Church and State locked in unholy union over this terrible practice.
As well as humanising the whole subject of forced eviction in the Highlands, Crichton Smith's novel introduces a freethinking neighbour who helps Mrs Scott and gives her another perspective on her god-bothered life, as well as describing her surroundings, the innocent pleasures and pains of Highland life. 144 pages, direct, scouring in its honesty, taut and poetic in feeling, this is a profound and beautiful piece of work.
As well as humanising the whole subject of forced eviction in the Highlands, Crichton Smith's novel introduces a freethinking neighbour who helps Mrs Scott and gives her another perspective on her god-bothered life, as well as describing her surroundings, the innocent pleasures and pains of Highland life. 144 pages, direct, scouring in its honesty, taut and poetic in feeling, this is a profound and beautiful piece of work.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A brilliant book that draws together all of the main themes evident in Crichton Smiths poetry. The death of the traditional way of life is particularly strong as is the desire of those people in the village to adhere to the ways of the 'past' as those younger members are drawn away to seek what the 'future' and shun the past. A book easily enjoyed by all and especially by those who enjoy Crichton Smiths way of writing.
Format:Paperback
A simple, easy read but full of history and passion. Anyone interested in Scotlands history will marvel at the bravery of those who lived off the land and saw their worlds turned upside down.
If you liked this book then a great follow up would be Neil Gunn's classic "The Silver Darlings"The Silver Darlings (FF Classics).
If you liked this book then a great follow up would be Neil Gunn's classic "The Silver Darlings"The Silver Darlings (FF Classics).
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