Scott Lyall – författare

The only book on Hugh MacDiarmid currently in print, this study gives unique focus to the politics of one of modern Scotland’s major cultural figures. By examining at length for the first time those places in Scotland that inspired MacDiarmid to produce his best poetry, it shows how the poet’s politics evolved from his interaction with the nation, exploring how MacDiarmid discovered a hidden tradition of radical Scottish Republicanism through which he sought to imagine a new Scottish future. Adapting postcolonial theory, this book allows readers a fuller understanding not only of MacDiarmid’s poetry and politics, but also of international modernism, and the social history of Scottish modernism. Key features* The first full length study to focus on MacDiarmid’s politics* Analyses recently available government files from the National Archives showing that MacDiarmid was watched by the Security Services from 1931 to 1943. This has never appeared before in any book* Draws uniquely on Carcanet’s multi-volume MacDiarmid 2000 series* The first critical book to use the ‘Red Scotland’ typescript in the National Library of Scotland and have access to the recently rediscovered poems collected as The Revolutionary Art of the Future (2003).

Hugh MacDiarmid is widely considered the most significant Scottish poet since Robert Burns and the major literary force in twentieth-century Scottish culture. His poetry is both compelling in its intellectual challenge and captivating in its lyrical beauty. This book explores the principal thematic and aesthetic preoccupations in MacDiarmid's work, relating his poetry to key national and international concerns in modern culture and politics. It offers a vital updating of MacDiarmid scholarship through contributions by leading scholars of the modern period which provide a contextual and interpretive guide to this challenging writer. All of MacDiarmid's major poetic works are examined in addition to a representative selection of his diverse output in other genres, from journalism to shorter fiction, autobiography and political polemic. His poetry and his place in the cultural history of Scottish, British and international modernism will be contemporised through consideration of his significance from a European, transatlantic and ecological global perspective. This collection of essays on MacDiarmid will draw on the creative and discursive writings made newly available through the recent publication of previously uncollected work. Key features:* Updates and internationalises MacDiarmid studies* Provides informed analysis and contextualisation of MacDiarmid's poetry through close readings of texts* Utilises recently published MacDiarmid material* Contributes to a re-drawing of the map of international literary modernism

Hugh MacDiarmid is widely considered the most significant Scottish poet since Robert Burns and the major literary force in twentieth-century Scottish culture. His poetry is both compelling in its intellectual challenge and captivating in its lyrical beauty. This book explores the principal thematic and aesthetic preoccupations in MacDiarmid's work, relating his poetry to key national and international concerns in modern culture and politics. It offers a vital updating of MacDiarmid scholarship through contributions by leading scholars of the modern period which provide a contextual and interpretive guide to this challenging writer. All of MacDiarmid's major poetic works are examined in addition to a representative selection of his diverse output in other genres, from journalism to shorter fiction, autobiography and political polemic. His poetry and his place in the cultural history of Scottish, British and international modernism will be contemporised through consideration of his significance from a European, transatlantic and ecological global perspective. This collection of essays on MacDiarmid will draw on the creative and discursive writings made newly available through the recent publication of previously uncollected work. Key features:* Updates and internationalises MacDiarmid studies* Provides informed analysis and contextualisation of MacDiarmid's poetry through close readings of texts* Utilises recently published MacDiarmid material* Contributes to a re-drawing of the map of international literary modernism