Shetland literature has a short history. Or, more accurately, the long history of Shetland literature has been truncated — the result of a double disadvantage, as far as official histories are concerned: an oral culture, in which few people could read or write, and a language that died out before literacy became widespread.The Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland would once have been rich in songs, poems and stories, spoken and sung in Norn (the closest extant relative of which is Faroese). But after Shetland became part of Scotland, in the late fifteenth century, the language was gradually replaced by a distinctive local variant of Scots. And by the time cultural collectors began to take an interest in such things, a few hundred years later, Norn was pretty much gone. Only a single full-length ballad, ‘Hildina’, was ever transcribed.Romanticising the pastWhen writers from Shetland did begin to publish their work, in the early nineteenth century, the islands were already being written about by authors from elsewhere. Most significantly, Walter Scott used the islands as the setting for his 1822 novel The Pirate, in which he imagined a rather glamorous version of Shetland’s history, with a particular emphasis on its Norse heritage. That portrayal, by one of the world’s most famous authors, was influential, but it also highlights a conundrum for writers in the islands: A romanticised, exoticised depiction of Shetland may be more appealing to readers than one that shows the... Continue reading at 'British Council global'
[ British Council global | 2020-02-13 12:54:04 UTC ]
“It seemed like having a kid was the only adventure I hadn’t undertaken.” Michelle Tea on embracing (unconventional) motherhood. | Lit Hub Memoir Are contemporary novels that don’t acknowledge the pandemic just alt-history? Clare Pollard has thoughts. | Lit Hub Criticism “For every pet that’s... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-08-02 10:30:03 UTC ]
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As you all undoubtedly know, Britney Spears landed a $15 million book deal with Simon & Schuster earlier this year. Her untitled memoir is apparently already finished(!) and her team was vying for a January 2023 release date… until the paper shortage reared its ugly head, baby, one more... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-08-01 16:05:23 UTC ]
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Write-minded: Weekly Inspiration for Writers is currently in its fourth year. We are a weekly podcast for writers craving a unique blend of inspiration and real talk about the ups and downs of the writing life. Hosted by Brooke Warner of She Writes and Grant Faulkner of National Novel Writing... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-08-01 08:51:12 UTC ]
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Lori Garver's new memoir details her struggles to get NASA colleagues to embrace SpaceX and Blue Origin. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2022-07-29 16:00:00 UTC ]
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Ghostwritten book, with interviews conducted mostly during ‘peak rage’, expected to be published by end of yearThe manuscript is, reportedly, written; the ink now dry. Publication is said to be on course to capitalise on the lucrative Christmas market.Few crumbs, if any, of the contents of the... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2022-07-29 11:04:37 UTC ]
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“The US immigration system knows I am here. I shudder to think where my information is stored within the government apparatus and for what purpose.” Luz Aguirre on living as an undocumented American. | Lit Hub Memoir The Literary Film and TV You Need to Stream in August, from the Sandman... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-29 10:30:57 UTC ]
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From a memoir about African-Jewish cooking, Koshersoul, to one about grieving our pets, Good Grief, these new memoirs take a different approach to the genre. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-07-28 10:33:00 UTC ]
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Hosted by Andrew Keen, Keen On features conversations with some of the world’s leading thinkers and writers about the economic, political, and technological issues being discussed in the news, right now. In this episode, Andrew is joined by Leah McLaren, author of Where You End and I Begin. Find... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-27 08:51:24 UTC ]
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While we do not, under any circumstances, have to hand it to Skyhorse, publisher of Sandy Hook deniers, anti-vaxxers, January 6th conspiracy theorists, and Woody Allen—their brand is extremely consistent. To wit: they will be publishing another book by disgraced biographer Blake Bailey (they... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-26 20:31:25 UTC ]
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'Yoga' charts true-crime master Emmanuel Carrère's journey from intensive meditation to mental breakdown — but leaves out the divorce that derailed him. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-07-26 13:00:18 UTC ]
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At first, I wanted to call it Forty Love. My memoir, Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, & Literature, is a deeply personal account of the unexpected plot twists in my own life highlighted by the books I was reading at the time. In my current career as publishing CEO at Zibby Books and host […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-22 08:51:36 UTC ]
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The Light We Carry, to be published in November, compiles the former first lady’s best strategies for surviving in the face of a ‘rising tide of bigotry and intolerance’A new book by former first lady Michelle Obama will offer readers “fresh stories and insightful reflections on change,... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2022-07-21 14:08:29 UTC ]
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A memoir by the late Susan Fleming Marx, Harpo Marx's widow, finally comes to light 20 years after her death. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2022-07-21 13:39:48 UTC ]
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Chris Belcher’s searing memoir about her work as a professional dominatrix isn’t exactly a comfortable read. Not because of the subject, but because Pretty Baby asks more of the reader than many memoirs. Like the best art does, this book invites introspection and interrogation of both our own... Continue reading at Electric Literature
[ Electric Literature | 2022-07-20 11:00:00 UTC ]
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How language shapes emotion across cultures. | Lit Hub Science Baynard Woods reflects on how writing a book forced him to confront the many lies of whiteness. | Lit Hub Memoir How do you begin to write a novel about 6th-century Londinium, the “darkest corner of the Dark Ages”? | Lit Hub History... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-20 10:30:12 UTC ]
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Journalist and super fan Danyel Smith champions the role of Black women in pop music in “Shine Bright,” which combines memoir with music history. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2022-07-18 19:10:00 UTC ]
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Erika L. Sánchez's insightful memoir might not resonate with the easily offended. But those looking for an unfiltered, feel-good story will find it here. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2022-07-17 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Isaac Fitzgerald’s “Dirtbag, Massachusetts” is a memoir about male misbehavior and the struggle to make sense of oneself. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2022-07-16 09:00:11 UTC ]
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“I was still an English Learner, for crying out loud; how could I ever imagine working in the movie industry?” How rummaging through Oliver Stone’s home office allowed a young Rafael Agustín to dream big. | Lit Hub Memoir If “empathy towards other species and toward nature is the only way out of... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-15 10:30:12 UTC ]
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Insiders say outgoing prime minister unlikely to write about personal life but book deal possible this autumnBoris Johnson could be paid more than £1m for his memoir, according to publishing insiders. But anyone expecting a kiss-and-tell may be disappointed, as industry professionals have said... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2022-07-15 10:12:09 UTC ]
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