![]() ![]() His selfish, uninhibited and flawed nature seems to bring out similar qualities in those with whom he associates: Like the writing itself, you either “get or you don’t.” Although a self-professed devil, Dougal is not an evil man, merely impish. The character of Dougal Douglas is a polarising figure in the Peckham community. … Dougal leaned forward and became a television interviewer.” Written with a faint whiff of the ballad form and including tinges of the supernatural, Spark takes us to Peckham on the cusp of the swinging sixties, to a textile factory where Dougal Douglas is interviewing for a position which he never intends to fulfil.ĭougal is a very charismatic young man, capable of transforming himself into whatever someone needs him to be: “Dougal sat like a monkey-puzzle tree, only moving his eyes … Dougal changed his shape and became a professor. The Ballad of Peckham Rye is her fourth novel, now out in this beautiful new hardback collection.įirst published in 1960, the book encapsulates in a nutshell post-war British society and working-class life. In celebration of her life and work, Birlinn will re-publish all her novels under their Polygon imprint to commemorate the occasion. This February marks 100 years since the birth of Scottish author Muriel Spark. “It wouldn’t have happened if Dougal Douglas hadn’t come here.” ![]()
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