'Ron Ferguson has written an extraordinary account of two spiritual jouneys, his own and that of the wonderful poet George Mackay Brown, which interweave with the moving pathos of a Beethoven violin sonata, against the haunting background of the magic of Orkney. This is a courageous and honest book which confronts some of the deepest dilemmas of faith and vocation - priestly and poetic. Beautifully written, Ferguson's highly original story reveals the unique impulses of imagination and character that shape and individual's spiritual story.' -- John Cornwell, author and commentator
'This book is a new Orkney Tapestry. The life and work of GMB are stitched intricately into the islands with deftness and delicacy. It is also crafted with great humility. Despite the personal approach, Ron Ferguson never gets in the way of the telling but lets the tale and the tellers (especially teh main teller) have their say. A line came into my mind, from RLS "Bright is the ring of words when the right man rings them". I often through this applied to George more than any other Scottish writer. But it also applies to the author of this revealing and riveting biography. Quite simply, I came out of this book more human than when I went in, more spiritual (dare I say it) and somehow happier!.' -- Christopher Rush, poet and novelist
'This revalatory account of George Mackay Brown's spiritual journey is wonderfully wise and humane, often unsettling, even distressing, but always affirmative. It illuminates the turmoil and yearning within him, and his tortuous relationship with his "ministering angels" and with Orkney. With its rich patterning of extracts from his prose and poetry and from intimate letters, it promises a deeply rewarding experience.' -- Stewart Conn, poet, Edinburgh's first Makar
'For those who thought they had the measure of George Mackay Brown, this fascinating and compelling book shows we have not higherto grasped his full complexity.' -- Alec Webster, Prefessor Emeritus, Universtiy of Bristol
'Here is an enthralling search for the well-springs of George Mackay Brown's genius. Ron Ferguson's enquiries reveal the poet of beauty, pain and loss as unique yet universal. But Ron Ferguson gives us more than simply an insight into a great poet. This book engages profoundly with the place of tradition in contemporary culture, and with the role of religious and Christiian, ceremony in illuminating life's mystery. A book to cherish.' -- Very Reverend John Miller
'A brilliant evocation of George Mackay Brown, his spiritual journey, his dark nights of the soul, his art, his relationships. This is a book shot through with remarkable insight, humour and pathos, underpinned by a deep, life-affirming humanity.' -- Alison Miller, novelist and short-story writer
'This is at once a vigorous biography of a great poet and a rich celebration of Orkney life. At its heart is a challenging, gut-gripping account of a controversial religious conversion. It's a sympathetic yet clear-sighted book; Ron Ferguson does not shrink from the occasional need to visit some dark places.' -- Dr Harry Reid, author, former Editor of The Glasgow Herald
'This is a remarkable, compelling and I think rather profound book, examining George Mackay Brown's life and art throught he unifying lens of his spiritual beliefs. This approach makes for a fresh and moving study of a great writer and struggling man, This is as absorbing and inspiring a study of an artist's life and work as I have read. It is for anyone who believes the examined life is worth living.' -- Andrew Greig, poet and novelist
'The spiritual journey of any person should be a very intimate account of their journey towards their Maker. I found this book fascinating reading, giving insight into George Mackay Brown's spiritual journey. At times, it was as if I was looking into someone else's soul - and making sense of all I have known about them, while not yet fully understanding my own soul! I am sure many will be encouraged to think more about themseleves and our present world situation, rather than about George Mackay Brown, after reading this enthralling book.' -- Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien
'In revealing the inner life of a poet whose work was a form of personal salvation as well as a createive expression of faith, Ron Ferguson has given us a portrait of George Mackay Brown which is not only brave in its candour but profound in its insights.' -- Kenneth Roy, Editor, Scottish Review
'This is not just a voyage around George Mackay Brown, it is a sincere and honest journey into the inner workings of the writer's heart and mind.' -- Kenneth Steven, poet and short story writer
In this fascinating book Ron Ferguson takes us inside George Mackay Brown's rag and bone shop. Ferguson clearly loves and admires Brown, so there is nothing voyeruistic about his research, no great revelation about a newly discovered weakness. And the known wealknesses are dealt with sympathetically. The alcoholism. The sexual anxiety. The sponging off the good will of others. The fussy, puritanical bowdlerising of his own early poetry. The idealisation of the past and the hatred of the present. Yet it is from this unpromising material that Brown made his art.' -- Richard Holloway, author and broadcaster
