The Ossians [Import] [Paperback]

DOUG JOHNSTONE (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: VIKING (2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670917435
• ISBN-13: 978-0670917433
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,084,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Doug Johnstone is a writer, musician and journalist based in Edinburgh. His latest novel, Smokeheads, was published by Faber and Faber in March 2011. He has previously published two novels with Penguin, Tombstoning (2006) and The Ossians (2008), which received praise from the likes of Irvine Welsh, Ian Rankin and Christopher Brookmyre. Doug is currently writer in residence at the University of Strathclyde and has worked for over a decade as a freelance arts journalist.
He is a singer, musician and songwriter in several bands, including Northern Alliance, part of the Fence Collective. Northern Alliance have released four albums to critical acclaim, as well as recording an album as a fictional band called The Ossians. Doug has a PhD in nuclear physics, grew up in Arbroath and now lives in Portobello, Edinburgh with his wife and two children.
For more info check out dougjohnstone.wordpress.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Great fun, March 18, 2011

By 

D. Moore (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ossians (Paperback)

Indie guitar band The Ossians are on the verge of signing a major record deal and their lead singer Connor decides that now would be a good time to tour Scotland, going to some of the dreariest, bleakest places - in winter. Connor - self-destructive and full of himself - spends most of the tour drunk or high on a cocktail of drugs. But this is definitely not what you would typically consider a rock and roll lifestyle with its series of tedious gigs in seedy venues. And, unlike most tours (I would hope!) the tension mounts with drug dealers, stalkers and gun-toting Russian sub-mariners. I didn't like Connor at all - he's got a chip on his shoulder the size of a bag of King Edwards - but I really loved reading about him and wanted to know what would happen to him. Connor has led a pampered, rather empty, middle-class life and the tour seems to be a search for the holy grail of his own identity, as well as that of Scotland. A thought-provoking and fascinating read. And really good fun. I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.