Customer Reviews

Shades of Grey: Glasgow 1956-1987

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The book "Shades of Grey Glasgow 1956-1987" is a wonderful tribute to Glasgow and her people. The book begins with the short story "Where Greta Garbo Wouldn't Have Been Alone" by William McIlvanney. This story is a collection of McIvanney's memories of Glasgow. At times it is funny and touching. It is clear from his writing that McIlvanney respects and admires Glasgow.

The photographs of Oscar Marzaroli follow McIlvanney's writing; these pictures were taken between 1956 and 1987. Marzaroli captures the essence of Glasgow. His photographs are, like McIlvanney's writing, memories of Glasgow. While some may say that the photographs of Marzaroli's Glasgow are depressing, I disagree. His photographs are true to life. "Hingin Oot The Windae" on page 67 brought a smile to my face. This happened a lot in Glasgow. I have pictures of myself doing the same.Page 71 contains a photograph that made me laugh so hard I almost cried. It pictures three little boys wearing high-heeled shoes, playing in the street. Marzaroli's picture of Kelvingrove Park took me by surprise,I was very moved by it. The picture brought back memories of being in the park on day like that. It made me homesick, in that good way.

While Marzaroli, and McIlvanney were not born in Glasgow their love for the city is very evident in the book. I would reccomend this to anyone. Both men made me very proud and happy to be a daughter of Glasgow.

The book describes a city in it's last stage of greatness. From 1956 to 1962 I was an "foreign" apprentice in a Clydeside shipyard and a student at the university. The photographs are a true depiction of the true grit and grime of an industrious population. The divide between the Protestants and Catholics, between Celtics and Rangers football teams, between the cloth caps and bowler hats, the rickety trams and noisy buses, the Friday night bar brawls, the smart shops in Sauchiehall street, the suitcase carrying Indian "traders" were a part of this great city that coal, steel, tobacco and ships built. Great book. Glasgow was no longer the great city it once was in 1950s. It died with the British Empire. Great book.