George Mackay Brown: The Wound and the Gift
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Review
'This is a remarkable, compelling and I think rather profound book . . .as absorbing and inspiring a study of an artist's life and work as I have read. - --Andrew Greig, poet and novelist
. . .wonderfully wise and humane, often unsettling, even distressing, but always affirmative. . .[this book] promises the reader a deeply rewarding experience. - --Stewart Conn, award-winning poet, Edinburgh s first Makar
Ron Ferguson has written an extraordinary account of two spiritual journeys, his own and that of the wonderful poet George Mackay Brown, which interweave with the moving pathos of a Beethoven violin sonata, against the haunting background of the magic of Orkney . . . Beautifully written, Ferguson's highly original story reveals the unique impulses of imagination and character that shape an individual's spiritual story. --John Cornwell, author and commentator
. . .wonderfully wise and humane, often unsettling, even distressing, but always affirmative. . .[this book] promises the reader a deeply rewarding experience. - --Stewart Conn, award-winning poet, Edinburgh s first Makar
Ron Ferguson has written an extraordinary account of two spiritual journeys, his own and that of the wonderful poet George Mackay Brown, which interweave with the moving pathos of a Beethoven violin sonata, against the haunting background of the magic of Orkney . . . Beautifully written, Ferguson's highly original story reveals the unique impulses of imagination and character that shape an individual's spiritual story. --John Cornwell, author and commentator
Product Description
Enigmatic mysterious intriguing: George Mackay Brown was a notoriously private man. He rarely left his native Orkney, and yet became one of the 20th century s finest poets and prose stylists. In his prolific writings, George Mackay Brown s spirituality and his love of the wind-scoured island landscape fused to give us some of the most beautiful poetry and prose in the English language. His work is shot through with glimpses of the divine.Ron Ferguson, who was described by George Mackay Brown as a true craftsman in literature , is an award-winning writer and former Presbyterian minister of Orkney s St Magnus Cathedral. With curiosity and passion, Ferguson tracks his friend s literary and spiritual journey, including his controversial move from Presbyterianism to Roman Catholicism. He explores the darker, more tormented, side of Orkney s bard and uncovers the intense relationship between alcohol, suffering and creativity. This is a riveting journey. Along the way, the author is forced to question some of his own assumptions. And the reader is swept along on a literary and spiritual voyage of discovery that compels to the very end. The author draws on previously unpublished letters and original conversations with many well-known writers and friends of George Mackay Brown. He quotes extensively from the poet s writings and weaves a brilliant and enriching narrative. He arrives at the end with fresh and startling insights into George Mackay Brown s life and work.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having been a fan of George Mackay Brown's writing for many years, I was eager to read this latest book. Ron Ferguson's writing is always lively and well researched, and this is no exception. I did wonder how different it would turn out to be from Maggie Fergusson's big biography - and I found no problem here at all. What I particularly appreciated, as well as the insights into GMB's somewhat stumbling journey from rather grim Presbyterianism to what felt like a rather romanticized and idealized Roman Catholicism, were the many fascinating conversations that the author had with a number of personalities from the Scottish literary and artistic community who had known the poet. I was also grateful for being reminded of the work of the Anglican metaphysical poets - John Donne, Thomas Traherne, George Herbert - and the writings of Edwin Muir. This is a broad sweep of a book, as well as a very detailed exploration of the inner life of a very private man.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In this book, Ron Ferguson has taken an honest and deeply affectionate look at George Mackay Brown's life, his work, his loves, his religious beliefs and his battle with alcoholism and mind-scourging depression. Because he asks searching questions about faith and life and death, RF makes his own spiritual and existential journey alongside the one he brings to life for George Mackay Brown. This makes for a book both livelier and more engaging than ordinary biography. One of its great strengths is the conversations the author has with friends, relatives and neighbours of GMB, with fellow writers and religious thinkers. The book is written with warmth, humanity and passion arising from a need to understand what made GMB the wounded man, the religious believer and the brilliantly gifted writer that he was.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
For those interested in the work of George Mackay Brown, or for those studying Scottish literature, this is an important part of the archive of Orkney books. It is beautifully written, and filled with gems - at the same time it is conversational and accessible.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A fascinating book about a great Scottish writer
I started reading this book under the assumption it was going to be a `straight' biography of George Mackay Brown, not realising that, while it has biographical elements, it is... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. Hodgson
Journey around GMB
I want to thank Ron Ferguson for such a moving book about George Mackay Brown. I felt sad coming to the end of it. I wanted the journey to keep going! Read more
Published 3 months ago by M Allan
"Is Suffering a Precondition of Great Art?"
Martin Luther wrote that a theologian is born by living, dying and being damned, in short by experiencing intense suffering. Read more
Published 6 months ago by S Hood
a delight
Having purchased and read everything that GMB wrote I opened this book with some trepidation. I wondered if it could excel the biography by Maggie Ferguson. I was not disappointed. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. A. J. Bebb
A good read
I really enjoyed this book. Yes, it's not a complete biography of GMB but it is a fascinating exploration of his religious/spiritual search, set against his beloved Orkney and its... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Commuter
A generous looking ....
The Wound and the Gift is a whole and inclusive look at George Mackay Brown: his poetry, his personality, his living. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Joy Mead
Magnificently readable
Ron Ferguson's work is a joy to read. He has the rare ability to combine warm humanity with intellectual depth, theology, spirituality and humour. Read more
Published 8 months ago by M. BROMILOW
A labour of love
Clearly a labour of love, and well worth reading for the numerous extracts from George Mackay Brown's poems and prose writings, this book is almost as much about Ron Ferguson as it... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Edward Avins
Well written - and adds some further insights on GMB.
Not surprisingly, given that the author was a Minister in the Church of Scotland, much of this book's focus is on GMB's faith and spirituality. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Glasgow Reader
Excellent
The most insightful book I have read on GMB and his work. It both celebrates and challenges, while adding to what already has been written about this intriguing writer.
Published 9 months ago by HTin
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