RAGGED LION: A Novel

Richard West in The Oldie said of this, 'Outstandingly good on Scott's relationship with his contemporaries, notably Wordsworth... The observations of Byron are dazzling.' In this critically acclaimed fictional memoir of Sir Walter Scott, Allan Massie recreates the life and times of one of Scotland's greatest writers. He convincingly captures Scott's humour, stoicism and eccentricity, his great spirit and nobility, and illuminates Scott's nature and art. Combining imaginative plausibility with his own deep knowledge of and love of Scott's work, Massie reveals the intimate thoughts of a man at odds with his popular image - good and courageous but also an enigma to those around him. He likes and admires Scott and has hit on a way of conveying that he was both virtuous and complex and he captures the spirit of the man in an easy, conversational style. A wonderful opportunity to fill in the gaps of your knowledge about the great novelist's life. 296pp, paperback.