Description

Book Synopsis

George Mackay Brown was a master of the short story form and produced a steady stream of short fiction collections, starting with A Calendar of Love (1967) and include A Time to Keep (1969) and Hawkfall (1974), as well as his poetry collections and novels. In this selection, edited and introduced by Malachy Tallack, we explore the author’s Orkney and the ups and downs of the crofters and fishermen there. These magical stories, drawn from ancient lore and modern life, strip life down to the essentials.



Trade Review

'New editions of his poetry and short stories, published to mark his centenary, show his spirituality and extraordinary gift for 'involved detachment''

* The Spectator *

'Malachy Tallack and Kathleen Jamie do an excellent job in editing these collections for the centenary of MacKay Brown's birth. They choose both poems and stories that show the appeal and strength of his writing'

-- Donald Murray * Stornoway Gazette *

'Tallack writes beautifully about living on the edge of the world; he understands islands, the way they are silent and also impossibly loud and full. He comes at Brown with real empathy. … For newcomers to George this collection is a good introduction'

-- Morag Macinnes * The Tablet *

Simple Fire: Selected Short Stories

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by George Mackay Brown, Malachy Tallack

    £12.34

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    RRP £12.99 – you save £0.65 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 7 Oct 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Birlinn General
      Published 3 June 2021
      ISBN-13 9781846975172
      978-1846975172
      ISBN-10 1846975174
      Also in:
      Anthologies & Short Stories Contemporary Fiction

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      George Mackay Brown was a master of the short story form and produced a steady stream of short fiction collections, starting with A Calendar of Love (1967) and include A Time to Keep (1969) and Hawkfall (1974), as well as his poetry collections and novels. In this selection, edited and introduced by Malachy Tallack, we explore the author’s Orkney and the ups and downs of the crofters and fishermen there. These magical stories, drawn from ancient lore and modern life, strip life down to the essentials.



      Trade Review

      'New editions of his poetry and short stories, published to mark his centenary, show his spirituality and extraordinary gift for 'involved detachment''

      * The Spectator *

      'Malachy Tallack and Kathleen Jamie do an excellent job in editing these collections for the centenary of MacKay Brown's birth. They choose both poems and stories that show the appeal and strength of his writing'

      -- Donald Murray * Stornoway Gazette *

      'Tallack writes beautifully about living on the edge of the world; he understands islands, the way they are silent and also impossibly loud and full. He comes at Brown with real empathy. … For newcomers to George this collection is a good introduction'

      -- Morag Macinnes * The Tablet *

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