Adhbhar ar sáolais

The first Gaelic poetry collection from the 2017 winner of the Scottish Book Trust Gaelic New Writers Award (poetry). Gaelic poems with English translations on themes of religion and spirituality, family, daily life in Uist, and the author’s upbringing in Glasgow and Barra. Received second place in the 2018 Donald Meek Award for Gaelic literature.

Tha farsaingeachd, doimhneachd, aotromas agus cianalas anns a’ chruinneachadh eireachdail seo. Tha Marion F. NicIlleMhoire gar toirt bho raointean Ghalile gu saor-làithean ann am Barraigh agus bho thaighean-dealbh Ghlaschu gu sgeulachdan bròin agus aoibhneis ann an Uibhist—an t-eilean far an do rinn i a dachaigh fad iomadh bliadhna. Tha dlùth choimhearsnachd, dàimhean teaghlaich agus creideamh làidir gu sònraichte a’ nochdadh san leabhar seo. Tha a’ bhàrdachd siùbhlach, eirmseach agus drùidhteach ann an iomadh nòs agus stoidhle—mholainn an cruinneachadh seo aig Marion dhuibh gu mòr.   —Gillebrìde Mac ’IlleMhaoil

There is diversity, depth, lightness and longing in this beautiful collection. Marion F. Morrison takes us from the plains of Galilee to holidays in Barra and from the picture-houses of Glasgow to tales of sadness and joy in Uist—the island where she made her home for many years. Close-knit community, family ties and a strong faith come across strongly in this book. The poetry is flowing, eloquent and poignant using a range of styles—I heartily recommend Marion’s collection to you.  —Gillebrìde MacMillan

Nach math a bhith a’ cur fàilte air guth ùr ann an saoghal na bàrdachd. Ùr ’s dòcha, ach chan ann neoichiontach òg: tha doimhne chumhachdach de dh’fhaireachdainn is de smuain sna dàin seo, eadar òige aotrom aoibhneach ga cuimhneachadh, meòrachadh air deuchainnean na beatha, dùrachd spioradail agus teagamh, tàir is tiomachd, creuchdan agus cridhe blàth, teaghlach is dualchas.  —An Dotair Michel Byrne

An original and intriguing first collection, by turns tender and scathing, reflective and raw, devout and sceptical, warm and dryly humorous, and with a strong atmospheric sense of place and of person, past and present.  —Dr Michel Byrne