Well, after that lovely diversion into interviewing and semiotics, back to some of the books which have been languishing on the stacks! I’ve regularly lamented the bad influences of other Book Bloggers and Tweeters on my TBR, which is an ever-increasing mountain at the moment. And I can pinpoint exactly who’s reponsible for the subject of this post – it was Lizzy at Lizzy’s Literary Life, who featured the book and made it look and sound so lovely that I just had to have a copy! 😀
The book in question is “Aspects of Edinburgh“, a slim collection of verse and illustrations which is the result of the joint work of Stewart Conn and John Knight. Conn was Edinburgh’s inaugural makar (or laureate); Knight has worked as an architect with Historic Scotland; and both men combine their talents here to produce a book which paints an absolutely beautiful portrait of the city of my birth.
Regular readers will know of my love for Edinburgh; we left when I was six and I had an emotional revisit with my mother three years ago; and the place does of course lodge deeply in my heart. So this book was really made for me! Conn’s verse explores the Old and New Towns, specific streets and areas, the weather, the history and the atmosphere of the city. Ranging in style from more formal verse to prose-like pieces, the poetry has an immediacy I loved, capturing the feel of the city way up in the far north-east.
And the poems are punctuated with wonderful drawings by Knight which really encapsulate Edinburgh. Most of these are black and white, but suddenly you’ll turn a page and come across a lovely colour illustration – beautiful!
Did I have particular favourites? Well, I often find it hard to pick out poems I liked best if I’ve responded to a whole collection! However, I loved “Footage of RLS” with its quirky take on Robert Louis Stevenson; “Ice Cool” was a brilliant three-verse work with only a single full stop; and “From Arthur’s Seat” wonderfully conjured up an impression of the skyline of the great city.
So thank you, Lizzy, for bringing this lovely book to my attention. I lost myself in it happily, revisiting Edinburgh in my head (which is all I can do at the moment until restrictions are lifted…) “Aspects of Edinburgh” is a joy for anyone who loves the city – and perhaps a nice introduction and enticement to visit for those of you who don’t… ;D
(NB Apart from the title of this post I’ve not quoted from any of the poems because I think the book should be read as a whole, each poem in its entirety reflecting on a particular aspect of the city!)
Nov 13, 2020 @ 08:24:31
How lovely that this book took you back to a beloved place!
Nov 13, 2020 @ 09:56:14
It was a very special read, and the fact I’d been back to Edinburgh relatively recently did make it resonate!
Nov 13, 2020 @ 14:59:38
I can see why you snapped this up. A fondness for a place, runs deep, and although I have only visited Edinburgh twice, I remember it as a wonderful city. How lovely to be reminded of a place you love so much with these poems and drawings.
Nov 13, 2020 @ 20:33:24
It definitely was a book I couldn’t pass over, and it really does capture the sense of the place.
Nov 13, 2020 @ 18:16:38
Lovely post, Karen. Such beautiful illustrations in the book – they really capture something of the history of the place. My maternal grandmother came from Edinburgh, so I have a fondness for the city too!
Nov 13, 2020 @ 20:32:55
Thanks Jacqui! Yes, it really is an atmospheric little book – and how lovely that you have a family connection too! 😀
Nov 13, 2020 @ 22:02:38
I don’t read much poetry. Maybe a goal for 2021? Love the illustrations. I would love to go back to Edinburgh. Was there many yrs ago. I love the way you blame bloggers for your TbR pile being too big. I think it is their fault too. Stay well!
🐧🍨
Nov 14, 2020 @ 07:16:53
I love poetry but I don’t read enough, so it was nice to be nudged into reading this book. Edinburgh is beautiful and once we can travel I so want to return. And yes – I am too easily influenced by other bloggers!
Nov 14, 2020 @ 13:46:45
A special book for a special place. And a wonderful idea to put those two creative minds together to make it.
Nov 15, 2020 @ 07:48:56
It certainly is special and yes, an inspired pairing! 😁
Nov 14, 2020 @ 18:04:34
What a lovely book, just perfect!
Nov 15, 2020 @ 07:47:10
It really was – just perfect for me!
Nov 16, 2020 @ 16:02:33
This sounds beautiful. I’ve been feeling a real longing for Scotland lately, I don’t know where it’s come from, but I’ll definitely be visiting once we’re allowed to roam free again!
Nov 16, 2020 @ 16:10:49
It really is lovely and combined with Susan Calman’s Scottish wanderings at the moment it really makes me want to leap off to Scotland at the first chance!
Nov 18, 2020 @ 19:11:37
Such a charming illustration. It would make a nice print to hang on the wall. And what would we do if we were stuck with our own measly few books (ahem)…thankfully other readers keep our stacks and shelves looking fresh and inviting.
Nov 18, 2020 @ 20:50:34
It would! There are several I’d like to have around me to take my mind off my four walls!
Nov 22, 2020 @ 12:53:39
One summer, I think it was four or five years ago, I read quite a few McCall Smith’s novels about Isabel Dalhousie – his The Sunday Philosophy Club series set in Edinburgh. I read so many that, later, when a friend asked if I traveled somewhere during the summer I was sure that I had but couldn’t really remember where to. It was confusing. Then I remembered that I “was” in Edinburgh.
This all means that I’m adding this book to my list. 😛
Nov 22, 2020 @ 13:07:30
Ah, I have dipped into his books a little. And isn’t it wonderful that we can ‘visit’ place vicariously in print – I do that all the time, with Paris and Russia being places I have ‘visited’ but may well never do so in real life. I hope to get back to Edinburgh, though, once we are able to travel again…