A Capital Union - Softcover

Victoria Hendry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 190864334X ISBN 13: 9781908643346

Publisher: Saraband, 2013

Synopsis

SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWN 2014. 'A remarkable debut ... an excellent novel, dramatic and engaging, with a Buchan thrills quality.' Alan Warner. Scotland, 1942. Seventeen year-old Agnes Thorne discovers that her new husband, Jeff, a campaigner for Home Rule, is determined to challenge Westminster over the issue of conscription. War is tightening its grip on the world as the young couple falls under the spell of the independence movement's charismatic new chairman, Douglas Grant. As the Scottish National Party splits, and a court hearing looms, Jeff abandons his work on a Scottish dictionary to fight to save himself and Douglas from prison. When Agnes is let in on a secret that challenges her own understanding of love, loyalty and national identity, boundaries become blurred. BLACKWELL'S BOOK OF THE MONTH

About this title

Product Description:

Shortlisted for the prestigious Historical Writers' Association Debut Crown Award, 2014. Edinburgh, 1942. As war tightens its grip on Britain, Agnes Thorne discovers that her new husband's obsession with Home Rule in a time of national crisis is threatening to land him in prison. His stand against conscription makes Agnes a reluctant participant in the nascent nationalist movement. As hidden forces of state break cover and strain the marriage to breaking point, Agnes is caught up in a triangle of passion, politics and secrecy.

Review:

'A super Scottish novel (and a bold first book) that should have been rewarded; brilliantly researched with an interesting political theme (the SNP in wartime) - mainly set in Edinburgh during the Second World War. A curious and readable mix of the romantic and the hard-edged.' --Alan Warner, Books of the Year selection in Herald Scotland

'Startlingly accomplished ... Victoria Hendry's impressive debut novel wastes no words. The voice of her young narrator is brisk and assured, like youth itself ... As the story gathers momentum so does Hendry's prose, raising itself to poetry as her heroine confronts that famous tension within Scots and Scotland which many of us recognise.' --Julie Davidson, Sunday Herald

'A novel of great intelligence and fluency whose finely drawn characters challenge conventional perceptions of nationality and identity.' --Margaret Elphinstone

'Using fictionalised versions of real [historical] figures of the time, this highly effective debut follows Agnes's nail-biting journey.' --Alastair Mabbott, Paperback of the Week, Herald

'It may be an historically illuminating novel, but it s also a compelling page-turner, with the plot's twists and turns delivering constant surprises. And if you expect big ethical issues from a wartime novel, you won't be disappointed: conscience, duty, loyalty, patriotism, nationality and yes, love and tragedy all loom large, yet frequently in the most unexpected of contexts. In short, A Capital Union is, as the feisty Agnes would say, a braw read from a fresh and accomplished new voice.' --Kritikus

a highly successful debut that we would recommend without reservation. --Undiscovered Scotland

'A Capital Union is a capital idea in the current political climate, particularly. ...This novel shows the terrible strain that ideological and military conflict can place on individuals beyond the battlefield itself.' --Martin Philip, Edinburgh Review

'Using fictionalised versions of real [historical] figures of the time, this highly effective debut follows Agnes's nail-biting journey.' --Alastair Mabbott, Paperback of the Week, Herald

'It may be an historically illuminating novel, but it s also a compelling page-turner, with the plot's twists and turns delivering constant surprises. And if you expect big ethical issues from a wartime novel, you won't be disappointed: conscience, duty, loyalty, patriotism, nationality and yes, love and tragedy all loom large, yet frequently in the most unexpected of contexts. In short, A Capital Union is, as the feisty Agnes would say, a braw read from a fresh and accomplished new voice.' --Kritikus

About this edition

• Publisher: Saraband
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 190864334X
• ISBN 13: 9781908643346
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 218