BOOK REVIEWS continued
the baby.
Dewar portrays innocent Rowan down in Evil England as a cliche, another washed-up hopeful searching for her soul. In contrast, inspirational small-town Rowan is fantastic, breathing life and measured ambition into neighbours and friends.
This novel raises questions of priority and self-belief — should Rowan follow her hereditary path or the one portrayed by the Sunday supplements? Only experience and self-assurance help her deCide, but in this instance at least, there really is a Third Way. (NA)
SIXTIES RE-PRINT
Satan's Slaves
Richard Allen (Codex £6.95) 1r * * The stars are mostly for Codex's republishing of this book, rather than for Allen's writing of it in the first place. Second-hand copies of the original paperback change hands for around {50 these days, if Stewart Homes's swmging new introduction is anything to go by. So if you're of a mind to read the thing you can save yourself a few goid. Richard Allen aka James Moffatt is, of course, most famed as the author of the skinhead/suedehead cycle of the early 70s.
This Manson Family Massacre cash-in was originally published in 1969, and is perhaps best viewed as an historical document. Other than that, Allen's account of drop-out California, the
rotting of hippydom and the rise of the
‘ new magick tribalism is something of a
mess. Fairly amusmg to begin With due to its sensationalistic tone -- lots of 'words’ in ’inverted’ commas to 'signify' outraged 'condescension’ It's ultimately as stumbling and dull as the stumbling dullards it's about. (DL)
HISTORICAL FICTION Dreamer
Charles Johnson (Canongate £14.99) int i it
Charles Johnson’s novel interweaves historical event and fictional narrative, in a manner which provokes reassessment of a legendary period in American race relations. Matt, an insignificant assistant to Martin Luther King, introduces him to his doppelganger, an alienated Korean War veteran, Chayrn Smith. King
orders Matt and his colleague Amy to
take Smith to an isolated farm outside Chicago, and convert him to their movement, feeling that a 'd0uble’ could come in useful at a future point in their struggle.
The novel details the developing relationship between these three, intercutting with the failing fortunes of King himself, as he battled to convey his passive resistance message outSide the South to a more Violent and disaffected black urban constituency.
Intellectual honesty is the hallmark of
3 this book, which questions King's aims and achievements Without disrespect ; or irreverence. (SC)
CONTIBUTORS THIS ISSUE
Nicky Agate, Ellie Carr, Steve Cramer,
Thom Dibdin, Brian Donaldson Kirsty Knaggs, Damien Love, Hannah McGill, Alan Morrison.
122 THE lIST 22 Oct—S Nov 1998
books
events
THURSDAY 22 Glasgow Titania Hardie Dillons. I74 Argyle Street. 248 4814. 3pm. The author and white witch (as seen on This Morning) signs copies of her new book Titania's ()raqle (Quadrille Publishing £14.99). Nicholas Evans Waterstone's. I53—I57 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9105. 7pm. £2 (£1 ). The author of the international best-seller The Horse Whisperer talks about his latest work The Loop (Transworld £ I 6.99). Augusto Boal RSAMI). l()o Renft'ew Street. 332 5057. 7.30pm. The acclaimed theatre director gives a lecture based around his new book Legislative Theatre (Routleclge £14.99).
Edinburgh
Joyce M. Wallace James Thin. 53—59 South Bridge. 5566743. 7pm. An illustrated talk by the author of The Historic Houses (It'lfdinhutgh (John Donald £10.95).
Isla Dewar Waterstone’s. 13-— I4 Princes Street. 556 3034. 7pm. Dewar reads from her latest book It Could Happen To You (Headline £9.99). See review page 120.
Glasgow
New Writing Scotland 16: The Glory Signs Waterstone‘s. 153— I 57 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9105. 6.30pm. Donny O'Rourke. editor of this new collection of contemporary Scottish literature. introduces contributing authors including Moria Burgess. Gerrie Fellows and David Kinloch.
Edinburgh
Gore Vidal Central Hall. West Tollcross. 228 1155. 7.30pm. £6 (£3). Tickets from all Edinburgh branches of Waterstone‘s. ()ne ofAmerica's best- known writers makes a rare visit to Scotland to launch his new novel The .S'ntithsonian Institutions (Random House £15.99).
SATURDAY 24 Glasgow Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden Waterstone‘s. 153—157 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9105. 4pm. The ex-Goodies launch The Official Limerick Collection (Orion £9.99) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the most listened to comedy programme on radio Sorry. I Haven't A ('lue.
m Glasgow
The Sunday Rhymes Brel. 39 Ashton Lane. 342 4966. 3--5pm. Free. Viv Gee hosts this aftemoon session of poetry with special guests to be announced. plus open mic spots.
Edinburgh
The Shore Poets Canon's Gait. 232 Canongate. 556 4481. 8pm. £1. The Shore Poets move to a new venue with readings by James Aichison. Christine De Luca and Angus MacMilIan. plus music from Jim Glen and Hugh Dailly.
MONDAY 26 Glasgow
Antony Worrall Thompson Waterstone's. l53—I57 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9105. lptti. The TV chef cooks up recipes from his new book The ABC ()fAWT (Headline £25).
Edinburgh
Graham Hancock Assembly Rooms. 54 George Street. 220 4348. 7.30pm.
: Explode frontiiiaii has spent eight 2 years researching a guide to Megalithic , Britain. The result is The .llodern
Edinburgh
5 Edinburgh : Roy Hattersley Assembly Rooms. 54
I Street. 332 9105. 7pm. £2 (£1). Dave § Broom serves tip some interesting
3 And (‘ocktails ((‘arlton £25).
£9.99).
I THURSDAY 29
Glasgow Cocktail Shaking And Spirit Tasting
£4 (£2). Tickets from venue and Waterstone‘s. Hancock talks about his ‘ new book and current (‘hannel 4 series Heaven 's ,‘llirror: Quest For The Lost Civilisation (Penguin £20).
David Stuart James Thin. George Street. 225 4495. 6.30pm. The leading Scottish garden writer and antique plant specialist launches his new book ('lassic l’lant (‘oniln'nations (Conran ()ctopus £25).
Julian Cope ('in (‘at‘cx I9 Blair Street. 2200125. 7.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Tickets front all branches of Waterstone's. The es-Tcardrop
Antiquarian (HarperC‘ollins £25) detailing over 300 of the best sites.
TUESDAY 27
Glasgow
Julian Cope Royal Concert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street. 287 551 I. 8pm. £5 (£4). See Mon 26.
Roy Hattersley Royal Concert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street. 287 551 1. 1pm. £3 (£2.50). The former politician launches l
1 his new book Buster's Diaries (Little.
Brown £9.99). written from a dog‘s eye-view. ably assisted by his canine companion. Buster.
Michael Allin Waterstone's. l3---l4 Princes Street. 556 3034. 7pm. Michael tells the incredible story of Yard/a: A Giraffe 's True Story (Headline £12.99).
WEDNESDAY 28
Glasgow
Mountaineering Council Of Scotland Climbing Event Waterstone‘s. I53 I57 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9105. 7pm. Join author Kevin Ilowett as he chats about a couple of the S.\l("s most recent titles Scottish l’eaks (SMC‘ £ l 2.99) and Highland ()utcrops (SMC £14.95).
George Street. 2204348. 7.30pm. £4 (£2). Tickets from venue and Waterstone‘s. See Tue 27.
Barbara Erskine James Thin. George Street. 225 4495. 6.30pm. The author of Lady ()fHay reads frotn her latest novel ()n The Edge (Ill/)itt'kness (HarperC‘ollins £ I 6.99).
Waterstone‘s. I53 I57 Sauchiehall
concoctions from his new book Spirits
Edinburgh
Roger Protz Waterstone’s. 13—14 Princes Street. 556 3034. 7pm. Beer tastings with the author of The Taste 0/ Beer: A Guide To Appreciating The (ireat Beers ("The World (Weidenseld & Nicholson £18.99).
FRIDAY so
Glasgow
Steve Berry On Bikes Waterstone‘s.
I53-~I57 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9I05. 7pm. £2 (£1). 'lop (iear‘s Steve Berry talks about his new book The Hot /()() (Carlton £16.99).
Edinburgh
Elaine C. Smith Waterstone‘s. I28 Princes Street. 226 2666. 7.30pm. Rab C. Nesbitt‘s other half signs copies of her new book If/aine 's World (B&W
Glasgow
Jimmy Logan Royal Concert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street. 287 5511. 7.30pm. The author presents a slide show and signs copies of his autobiography It 's A l-‘unn’v Li e (B&W £ 16.99).
Edwrn organ Waterstone‘s. l53—I57 Sattchiehall Street. 332 9105. 5.15pm. The popular poet talks about his work and chooses a book which
inspires him. l’art ()f'(;lcl.\“g'(l_\'.’
1 Edinburgh
; Quintin Jardine James Thin. George
Street. 225 4495. 6.30pm. Edinburgh‘s fittest crime writer launches his latest Bob Skinner novel Murmuring The Judges (Headline £ 16.99).
TUESDAY 3 Glasgow
Aonghas MacNeacail Ramshom Theatre. 98 Ingram Street. 287 5511. 1—2pm. The Stakis Scottish Writer of the Year reads from a selection of his poems. Part of Writer/est.
Pat Barker and A.L. Kennedy Waterstone's. 153— I 57 Sauchiehall
Street. 332 9105. 7pm. £2 (£1). Booker i
Prize-winning author Barker reads front her latest book Another World (Penguin £16.99). while Kennedy previews her new novel [Everything You Need. due to be published in the span".
Manda Scott and Stella Duffy Waterstone's. I53- I 57 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9105. 7pm. £2 (£1). An evening with crime-writers Manda Scott. who reads frotn her new book Night Mares. and Stella Duffy who talks about her latest book Singling Out The Couples. I’art o/‘Glasga'v.’
WEDNESDAY 4
Glasgow Cameron McNeish and Richard Else
I Dillons. I74 Argyle Street. 248 4814.
7pm. McNeish talks about his new book and forthcoming BBC series More Wilderness ll’a/ks (BBC Publishing £18.99).
Horse Waterstone's. I53— 1 57 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9105. 5.15pm. Horse chats about her musical influences. new show and chooses her favourite book. l’art ot'Glasgay.’ Niall Ferguson John Smith. 57 St Vincent Street. 221 7472. 7pm. The author discusses and signs copies of his latest book Pity Of War (Allen Lane £16.99).
Kathy Lette Waterstone‘s. I53- 157 Sauchiehall Street. 332 9105. 7pm. £2 (£1). The author of the successful Mad Cows reads from her latest book Alter- lfgo (Picador £15.99).
Glasgow
David Attenborough John Smith. 57 St Vincent Street. 221 7472. 5pm. Attenborough signs copies of his new book The Life Of Birds (BBC £18.99). the subject of his new BBC series. Ranulph Fiennes Royal Concert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street. 287 55l I. 1pm. £2.50 (£2). Sir Ranttlph Fiennes. OBE and explorer extraordinaire. reveals his secrets to staying fit as described in his new book Fit For Life (Little. Brown
£l6.99).
Edinburgh David Attenborough James Thin.
George Street. 225 4495.
I2.30—l.30pm. Sec Thu 5.
Niall Ferguson Appleton Tower. Lecture Theatre No I. University ()f Edinburgh. Crichton Street. 650 8445. 6pm. See Wed 4.
Julia Darling Waterstone's. (28 Princes Street. 226 2666. 7pm. The author reads from her latest book (‘rocodile Soup (Anchor £9.99).