Out of the Farlans: Fresh Fields - Softcover

Duthie, Jean

Softcover

ISBN 10: 145201163X ISBN 13: 9781452011639

Publisher: AuthorHouseUK, 2010

Synopsis

Step back into the late eighteen hundreds and follow the journeys of four women, a grand mother, her two daughters and a granddaughter, as they struggle from the back breaking toil at the gutting farlans into the pathways that will bring them to greater fulfillment. Travel with them to the beauty and mystery of the Shetland Isles, to the excitement of Victorian Edinburgh, to the immense, herring harvests of East Anglia, and across the vast Atlantic, to find new lives and better opportunities. Each follows her own particular purpose, during which they learn about their potential, about the generosity of mankind, the tragedy of two World Wars and the Great Depression. Hard decisions, deep sorrow and loss, but often much joy and romance, colour their lives and the individual courage and response to their situations provide an interesting study of their varied personalities. They all differ, but through the three generations can be traced the same strength of character, the same resilience, a true courage and a positive outlook, which can be realized through hard work. Mary May, Maggie Ann, Betsy and Mary Bella belong to an era, when people are fiercely independent, believing firmly in the worthwhile values of diligence, honesty and dignity. These qualities they practice and have the great satisfaction of seeing them instilled in the next generation, which more than fulfills their dreams.

About this title

About the Author

Jean Duthie was born to Scottish immigrants in Boston, Mass. at the peak of the Great Depression. On returning to Fraserburgh in 1932 the family suffered much during unemployment and homelessness, followed by World War 2. But difficulties were gradually resolved and the home became focused on education, literature, music and firm Christian principles. Jean's interests lay in History and Music, particularly violin playing, which brought her into solo and orchestral work for a time. Fascination with the past led to a particularly intensive study of the preceding three generations of her ancestors and her keen observation of people nourished the very acute memory with which she had been endowed, eventually supplying the anecdotal material for "OUT OF THE FARLANS". A graduate in English and History from Aberdeen University, she taught these subjects in the Border town of Sanquhar, later moving to Inverallochy School near Fraserburgh. Marriage and the birth of a daughter and son brought her temporarily out of teaching but eventually, they settled in the Scottish Borders, where Jean and her husband Andrew completed their years of service in Galashiels. Here with their family, they enjoyed over forty years of treasured friendships and rich experiences in the beautiful countryside. Love of travel took the family abroad annually, camping and touring mainly in Europe until, after retiring, Jean and Andrew went further afield to the USA where she discovered the true facts of her family in that country, and this book began to formulate. Jean now resides in Aberdeen close to her family, her Church and friends, all of whom play a vital role in her life. She and her husband still travel, storing up ideas, and ever learning about this wonderful world and the people who inhabit it.

Edition details

• Publisher: AuthorHouseUK
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 145201163X
• ISBN 13: 9781452011639
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 692