Chapman Issue 97

Issue: 97 - Alasdair Gray – A Unique Scottish Magus

In response to the findings of our questionnaire last year, this issue expands to 144 pages, allowing for greater variety and innovation. It celebrates the wit and wisdom of Alasdair Gray and his long anticipated The Book of Prefaces. Contributor to the Book Angus Calder reveals some of Gray’s more mysterious modus operandi and revels in his ability to make all literature his own. Dave Manderson demonstrates Gray’s joyous defiance of all categorisation, and his major talent and versatility is shown in his artistic work here. RLS Award winners Chris Dolan and Maggie Graham discuss their experiences in France and we get a taste of the work inspired and completed there. There is also an appreciation of the Glasgow writer Bill Keys, an appreciation of him by Stephen Mulrine, with some of his poetry and fiction, and David Purves pays tribute to the great Flora Gary. Peter Cameron translates Baudelaire into Scots, and there is our characteristically volatile and unpredictable mix of poetry, fiction and reviews from Cuban poet Virgil Suares, Iron Press’s Peter Mortimer, Stuart B Campbell, Ken Cockburn, Jonathan Falla with his hilarious ‘Topping out for Scotland’ – and much else. December 2000 – 144 pp, 215 x 150 mm, pbk, ISBN 0-906772-97-4 £5.85