Genre Fiction
![Andrew Greig - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_andrew_greig.jpg)
Rose Nicolson: Memoir of William Fowler of Edinburgh: student, trader, makar, conduit, would-be Lover in early days of our Reform
'A tale I have for you.'
Embra, winter of 1574. Queen Mary has fled Scotland, to raise an army from the French. Her son and heir, Jamie is held under protection in Stirling Castle. John Knox is dead. The people are unmoored and lurching under the uncertain governance of this riven land. It's a deadly time for young student Will Fowler, short of stature, low of birth but mightily ambitious, to make his name.
Fowler has found himself where the scorch marks of the martyrs burned at the stake can be seen on every street, where differences in doctrine can prove fatal, where the feuds of great families pull innocents into their bloody realm. There he befriends the austere stick-wielding philosopher Tom Nicolson, son of a fishing family whose sister Rose, untutored, brilliant and exceedingly beautiful exhibits a free-thinking mind that can only bring danger upon her and her admirers.
The lowly students are adept at attracting the attentions of the rich and powerful, not least Walter Scott, brave and ruthless heir to Branxholm and Buccleuch, who is set on exploiting the civil wars to further his political and dynastic ambitions. His friendship and patronage will lead Will to the to the very centre of a conspiracy that will determine who will take Scotland's crown.
Rose Nicolson is a vivid, passionate and unforgettable novel of this most dramatic period of Scotland's history, told by a character whose rise mirrors the conflicts he narrates, the battles between faith and reason, love and friendship, self-interest and loyalty. It confirms Andrew Greig as one of the great contemporary writers of fiction.
Embra, winter of 1574. Queen Mary has fled Scotland, to raise an army from the French. Her son and heir, Jamie is held under protection in Stirling Castle. John Knox is dead. The people are unmoored and lurching under the uncertain governance of this riven land. It's a deadly time for young student Will Fowler, short of stature, low of birth but mightily ambitious, to make his name.
Fowler has found himself where the scorch marks of the martyrs burned at the stake can be seen on every street, where differences in doctrine can prove fatal, where the feuds of great families pull innocents into their bloody realm. There he befriends the austere stick-wielding philosopher Tom Nicolson, son of a fishing family whose sister Rose, untutored, brilliant and exceedingly beautiful exhibits a free-thinking mind that can only bring danger upon her and her admirers.
The lowly students are adept at attracting the attentions of the rich and powerful, not least Walter Scott, brave and ruthless heir to Branxholm and Buccleuch, who is set on exploiting the civil wars to further his political and dynastic ambitions. His friendship and patronage will lead Will to the to the very centre of a conspiracy that will determine who will take Scotland's crown.
Rose Nicolson is a vivid, passionate and unforgettable novel of this most dramatic period of Scotland's history, told by a character whose rise mirrors the conflicts he narrates, the battles between faith and reason, love and friendship, self-interest and loyalty. It confirms Andrew Greig as one of the great contemporary writers of fiction.
Editorial Reviews
I loved this book―Richard Holloway
Exceptionally enjoyable . . . Greig very skilfully combines a gripping adventure story with an exploration of the dark forces that shaped Scottish history.―Sunday Times
Prepare to be pitched back in time in this visceral and passionate novel set in 16th Century Scotland―Sunday Post Dundee
[A] highly entertaining historical novel―Independent
Andrew Greig's novel is written in archaic Scots; the result is an immersive reading experience, helped along by a glossary. This is a meaty, satisfying novel and the character of Rose, a strong woman trapped by her circumstances, will linger long.―Times
[N]ever allows the narrative to flag. William Fowler is his perfect alter ego, a poet, a gowfer and a natural raconteur―Literary Review
This novel is full of surprises, rich in delights. Greig writes with rare authority and understandings. Sometimes it seems as if he was behind a heavy tapestry or curtain listening to everything being said, then keeking through a gap to view the action.―The Scotsman
Mr Greig is a master at conjuring atmosphere, very good on taste and aroma-'the smell of ink, that dark and pungent rot'-and keeps his complex tangle of plotlines taut. He avoids quaint archaism and possesses the ability to make the past feel present to the people he describes―Country Life
[A] rich, lyrical, rackety, colourful read.
―Daily Mail
Rose Nicolson is a remarkable novel, a work of imagination, intelligence and gusto . . . the novel is full of surprises, rich in delights. Greig writes with rare authority and understanding.
―
Exceptionally enjoyable . . . Greig very skilfully combines a gripping adventure story with an exploration of the dark forces that shaped Scottish history.―Sunday Times
Prepare to be pitched back in time in this visceral and passionate novel set in 16th Century Scotland―Sunday Post Dundee
[A] highly entertaining historical novel―Independent
Andrew Greig's novel is written in archaic Scots; the result is an immersive reading experience, helped along by a glossary. This is a meaty, satisfying novel and the character of Rose, a strong woman trapped by her circumstances, will linger long.―Times
[N]ever allows the narrative to flag. William Fowler is his perfect alter ego, a poet, a gowfer and a natural raconteur―Literary Review
This novel is full of surprises, rich in delights. Greig writes with rare authority and understandings. Sometimes it seems as if he was behind a heavy tapestry or curtain listening to everything being said, then keeking through a gap to view the action.―The Scotsman
Mr Greig is a master at conjuring atmosphere, very good on taste and aroma-'the smell of ink, that dark and pungent rot'-and keeps his complex tangle of plotlines taut. He avoids quaint archaism and possesses the ability to make the past feel present to the people he describes―Country Life
[A] rich, lyrical, rackety, colourful read.
―Daily Mail
Rose Nicolson is a remarkable novel, a work of imagination, intelligence and gusto . . . the novel is full of surprises, rich in delights. Greig writes with rare authority and understanding.
―
Readers Top Reviews
Applecross
Set in post Reformation Scotland, it vividly portrays the religious tensions of the period and their effect on the lives of those who had to negotiate them. Very well drawn characters who remain with you long after the last page. And the whole imbued with a well chosen use of the Scots language which adds authenticity to the whole.
I loved this from beginning to end. It’s written in the old Scots dialogue so the glossary is useful. I am Scottish but didn’t know all the words. Mostly it’s plain English and a really good representation of the fear surrounding the change from Catholicism to Protestantism.
Mike Landay
10/10. A gripping tale that gives a realistc picture of the social, political, personal, everyday and religious conditions people of various social classes (from poor fisherfolk to landed gentry, barons and even the young king James) in 16th century Scotland. The historical period it covers is complex and I had to do a lot of background Wiki reading to understand, but it was worth it, and didn't detract from the action and flow of the story. Very enjoyable. We're lucky to live now rather than then. The interpersonal relationships are particularly well written.
John and Anne
This is historical literary writing at its very best, showing Andrew Greig as one of the UK's finest novelists. A superb depiction of a usually neglected period of history, with full-rounded characters and Greig's usual fine feeling for landscape. Brilliant and haunting.
