Water and Life pursues the goal of the previous volume, Nation and
Nationalism, to bridge the often ivory-tower concerns of academic
critics and the interest of a wider public in the works and thought
of Neil Gunn, considered the foremost Scottish novelist of the
twentieth century. The 'circle' in the title reflects its use
within Gunn's novels to symbolize both wholeness and the cyclical
nature of life. It also represents the group of enthusiasts for
Gunn's work that ranges from the energetic volunteers who created
and maintain the commemorative centre at Dunbeath in Caithness and
those in the Dingwall-based Neil Gunn Trust who actively promote
his work to the authors whose own writings owe much to his example
and insights. The circle also embraces the scattered community of
dedicated readers, within and outwith Scotland, that renews itself
with each generation.Water and Life contains eloquent
autobiographical pieces from two of those dedicated readers, Mike
Vass and Victoria Bernie, who were inspired in their own work in
other media.Mike Vass recounts how he read Gunn's Off in a Boat
while recovering from a serious illness and, when better, set out
to recreate the voyage himself and then to write in song and music
about his own experience. Victoria Bernie was moved by Highland
River to record in photographs, reproduced in this volume in full
colour, the changing nature of the Girnock Burn. Christopher Stokoe
also recalls in his autobiographical account how an almost
fortuitous encounter with The Serpent led to a lifetime's devotion
to the understanding and promotion of all Gunn's writings.Jim
Mather, the former Government Minister, begins also with water as a
source of life and industry and, in asking the question of who
should own this vital resource, outlines a vision, shared by Gunn,
of a successful Scottish society built upon principles of community
and cooperation. Alistair McCleery discusses this theme in relation
to Gunn's novel, The Green Isle of the Great Deep, and recounts the
novelist's promotion of individual freedom, collaboration and
community as he articulated his opposition to the statist political
thought of Naomi Mitchison.The story of Gunn's relationship with
another contemporary novelist, Maurice Walsh, is related by Dairmid
Gunn, Neil's nephew, to highlight the influence of both men upon
one another as well as the continuing example of Ireland upon the
development of Gunn's political thought. This is further
illustrated by the inclusion of two of Gunn's essays within this
volume.Water and Life offers fresh insights into Neil Gunn's life
and work to both readers already passionate and knowledgeable about
his writings and those who are coming to him for the first time.
The contributors write in an accessible and engaging manner,
bringing their topics to life in a manner appropriate to the great
novelist himself.
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