Richly illustrated by gray, it includes drawings of many of the authors on the cover and the contributors, as well as some of gray s marvelous graphic designs. Decorated and englished in prosaic verse by alasdair gray. This book is a unique history of how literature spread and developed through three british nations and most north american states. The result of a lifetimes reading and creative labour, intellectual and artistic, the book of prefaces will delight, amaze and inform both casual browsers and students. While the work of glaswegian writer and artist alasdair gray is often. This will stand as a monument to grays achievements as an artist of words and of pictures. The book of prefaces by alasdair gray, paperback barnes. Complete summary of alasdair gray s the book of prefaces.
For one of gray s best uses of typography i would point you to the book of prefaces, arguably a more educationoriented book than some of his others, discussing a history of how literature was read and developed through the nations of the british isles. The book of prefaces, is a 2000 book edited and glossed by the scottish artist and novelist alasdair gray. A short history of literary thought in words by great writers of four nations from the 7th century to the 20th century. A little story about my work with the late alasdair gray, writer, artist and good friend. His remit has been to produce a history of literature in english from the sixth. This anthology gathers the work of great writers such as geoffrey chaucer, lewis carroll, john milton, edgar allan poe, and many more. Nicholas lezard finds a political and literary history of britain in the margins of alasdair grays the book of prefaces. Alasdair gray, scottish novelist, playwright, and artist best known for his surreal atmospheric novel lanark 1981, which was hailed as a landmark of scottish literature. The book of prefaces seeks to provide a history of how literature spread and developed through the nations of england, ireland, scotland, and the united states. Mencken described the work as my most important book in its effects upon my professional career. Ten tales tall and true by alasdair gray overdrive. A gray playbook of shows by alasdair gray 19562009.
The book of prefaces by alasdair gray, first edition. Gray has since written another novel, 1982 janine, and a book of short fiction entitled unlikely stories, mostly. A lecturer cornered in an embarrassing menage a trois, a glaswegian cinderella, and an extremely talkative dentist all feature in this brilliant and original collection of tall tales from alasdair gray, author of lanark, poor things and the book of prefaces bringing together social realism, sexual comedy, science fiction and satire, ten tales tall and true proves that truth is indeed much. For the book by alasdair gray see the book of prefaces a book of prefaces is h. Book of prefaces 2000and in which most of the postmodern developments that i. There are the usual small, clever touches, from the authors blurb correctly maintaining that. It seeks to provide a history of how literature spread and developed through the nations of england, ireland, scotland, and the united states. Baxter in alasdair grays poor things are not, by baxters own admission, happy bunnies. Finally, the book of prefaces is a lavishly illustrated anthology with illuminating glosses by gray and others a coffee table book with intellectual heft. This copy is very rare as it has been signed by alasdair gray to the half title page and 11 of the book s contributors next to their portraits including james kellman. As in alasdair gray s lanark, 1982 janine, poor things, and the book of prefaces, this one has many styles of narrative and location. The book of prefaces paperback january 7, 2003 by alasdair gray editor visit amazons alasdair gray page. Pity the simple monk whom alasdair gray in the book of prefaces described as a local herdsman who wanted to be a poet though he had not composed anything. Like all of alasdair gray s books, the book of prefaces is a beautiful book.
The price rather more than the suggested second hand value. All that beacon was begotten in gold, in rubies standing fairly. Buy the book of prefaces book online at best prices in india on. This book is not a monster created by a literary baron frankenstein, but a unique history of how literature spread and developed through three british nations and most north american states. Alasdair gray has chosen and edited all of the prefaces presented in this impressive volume and has included commentary by some thirty other authors including james kelman, a. Find the book of prefaces by gray, alasdair at biblio. For the book by alasdair gray see the book of prefaces.
Plus an intriguing glimpse at the, as yet unmade, lanark movie with sections of the. Alasdair gray s creative talents spanned the arts by press association 2019 alasdair gray. Books go search your store deals store gift cards sell help. Gray s masterful use of typography is inherent to its structure and is what truly. A study of authorial illustration cambridge scholars publishing. The book is beautifully illustrated, wonderfully designed, and contains a charming introduction by gray detailing reasons for prefaces and for enjoying reading them my favourite, enjoying watching authors in a huff.
The book of prefaces edited by alasdair gray books the. His new novel is called old men in love a subject that has dominated his recent work. The title has changed now the book of prefaces, rather than an anthology. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It seeks to provide a history of how literature spread. Men in love, like the arabian nights, is about a storyteller whose stories contain other stories. When lanark meets his maker in the infamous epilogue to grays first novel, the author figure. Buy the book of prefaces new edition by gray, alasdair isbn. While alasdair gray has chosen and edited all the prefaces and has written most of the commentary in this book, he was assisted in this by some 30 authors who have also written commentaries. Alasdair grays face appears in the book of prefaces.
Lazarus, has been reborn with the advent of nigerian independence. Periclean athens, renaissance florence, victorian somerset mingle with britain under the new labour party, viewed from the west end of glasgow. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Alasdair grays creative talents spanned the arts isle. Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation. This is about how alasdair and i put this book together over five years. Menckens 1917 collection of essays criticizing american culture, authors, and movements. A short history of literate thought in words by great writers of four nations from the 7th to the 20th century by alasdair gray editor 4. The anthology of prefaces offers an unusual and unprecedented look at literature, a treat for any reader. In fact, the book was considered vitriolic enough that menckens close friend alfred knopf was.
A short history of literate thought in words by great writers of four nations from the 7th to the 20th century book online at best prices in india on. The anthology of prefaces alasdair gray bloomsbury buy it at bol. The book of prefaces, is a 2000 book edited and glossed citation needed by the scottish artist and novelist alasdair gray. Old men in love by alasdair gray overdrive rakuten. A short history of literate thought in words by great writers of four nations from the 7th to the 20th century gray, alasdair on. Writer and painter alasdair gray kickstarted a golden age of scottish fiction with lanark.