The Witching Voice by Arnold Johnston
The turbulent artistic and romantic life of Robert Burns, the premier icon of the Romantic movement, is creatively reenacted in this contemporary tribute to the drama and texture of late 18th-century Scotland. Based on extensive research and historical fact, Burns' life at the height of his fame from 1784 to 1788 is portrayed as spontaneous, passionate, and sexual. Told in the present tense through multiple viewpoints, Burns' story is a frank and moving portrait of a man often misguided by the witching voice that motivated him--a drive composed of the same charms, demons, and shortcomings that nurtured his remarkable gifts.
Lusty. . atmospheric, dialect-rich retelling. Recommended for library collections." —Library Journal
"Brilliant . . . a tour de force." —Richard Katrovas, author, The Years of Smashing Bricks
"It was language that first seized me when I began reading Arnie Johnston's The Witching Voice, a novel that spans the years 1784-1788 in the life of the national poet of Scotland. There is the lovely treat of Burns' own melodic words—not only the poetry, referred to often as songs by his compatriots and sung, too—but his everyday speech filled with metaphor and lilt. There is also Johnston's skillful and rich use of the dialect—never skimping with it, but employing it in such a way that reading it was effortless—not always the case with dialect . . . . Still and all, it is Burns' exposure of false righteousness that endears him to so many, that makes me say under my breath, all too often of myself, 'Oh wad some Pow'r the Giftie gie us/To see oursels as ithers see us!'" —Anna Redsand, annaredsand.com
"Brilliant . . . a tour de force." —Richard Katrovas, author, The Years of Smashing Bricks
"It was language that first seized me when I began reading Arnie Johnston's The Witching Voice, a novel that spans the years 1784-1788 in the life of the national poet of Scotland. There is the lovely treat of Burns' own melodic words—not only the poetry, referred to often as songs by his compatriots and sung, too—but his everyday speech filled with metaphor and lilt. There is also Johnston's skillful and rich use of the dialect—never skimping with it, but employing it in such a way that reading it was effortless—not always the case with dialect . . . . Still and all, it is Burns' exposure of false righteousness that endears him to so many, that makes me say under my breath, all too often of myself, 'Oh wad some Pow'r the Giftie gie us/To see oursels as ithers see us!'" —Anna Redsand, annaredsand.com
Arnold Johnston is a creative writing teacher and the former chairman of the English department at Western Michigan University. He is the author of Of Earth and Darkness: The Novels of William Golding and What the Earth Taught Us. He lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780916727444 |
| ISBN 10 | 0916727440 |
| Title | The Witching Voice |
| Author | Arnold Johnston |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Wings Press |
| Year published | 2009-01-01 |
| Number of pages | 336 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |