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'textualities.net is as visually exquisite to wander through as it is to read.' (Scotsman Online). Textualities is based at Main Point Books, 8 Lauriston Street, one of a cluster of six second-hand bookshops in an area that is sometimes called Edinburgh's Soho.
MAIN POINT BOOKCRAIC
The West Port Book Festival programme has now been launched and may be perused at www.westportbookfestival.org. The festival, which takes place over the weekend of 14-17 August, is a tour de force of vision, humour and implacable cando-ness on the part of Hannah Adcock, Peggy Hughes and their team of merry helpers. The book festival programme and web site are both beautifully designed by Will Brady; indeed, good design is of a piece with the whole concept. Press attention has focused on the presence of A.L. Kennedy and Ian Rankin but I suspect that the reason these writers are coming is just the same as for all the very fine writers (and some collectors) who have so generously agreed to take part. They know that the serendipitous pleasures of a second-hand bookshop cannot be bettered. Jennie Renton
- Theatre of Dreams
A new short story by Zimbabwean author Gabriel Gidi on the theme of broken promises and dreams.- Revisioning
Murdo Macdonald discusses Highland Art, a new, collaborative book that opens a window to the west.- For Tessa at Seventy
With a major collection of poetry by Tessa Ransford set to appear in August, Eileen Crerar-Gilbert gives an appreciation of her work.- In Darkest Peeblesdale
With a dash of machismo and a flourish of female fortitude, ANDREW GREIG's latest takes Michael Lister to the dark side of douce.- Lewis Chessmen?
Geoff Chandler disputes whether those famous chessmen really came from Lewis.- Naini Tal
In a short story by Margaret Burnett, a Scottish girl growing up in India senses the end of childhood.- One of the Exceptions
The crucial part played by David Daiches in bringing Scottish literature to the world stage, discussed by Robert Louis Abrahamson.- Multicoloured Seams
Short story by EDWIN JAMIESON. A moment of violence, an extraordinary transformation.- Contour Lines
Human rights campaigner and lawyer RAJA SHEHADEH follows the contour lines, political and geographic, of the West Bank of Palestine.- The River of Life
In this recreation of Genesis, Zimbabwean writer CHRISTOPHER MLALAZI describes man's fiery descent from the stars.- The Wedding
Bare knees, flying brides and Bollywood beats all feature in this humorous poem by SRIA CHATTERJEE about a Scottish-Indian wedding in Edinburgh.- The Thing Called a Holiday
The shape of the wind and the absence of tears are part of the texture of life. Short story by CATHERINE MCDONALD.- Walking the Walk
Catherine Murray discusses the poetry of Tony McManus and reads ’Walk and Talk‘.
- Current Issue:
TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED - Naipaul Mapped
Review of a biography by Patrick French investigating the life and work of V.S. Naipaul.- Fictional Memorials
Dundee author ANDREW MURRAY SCOTT discusses his new novel, The Big J.- The Golden Section
Obsessions, blackboards, sunflowers and the Golden Section all feature in this short story by SVETLANA LAVOCHKINA.- Boy in a Bucket
Peggy Hughes appreciates the linguistic inventiveness of Child From Water.- Legitimate Anger
In this audio interview Indian writer and poet NABARUN BHATTACHARYA discusses politics, poverty and keeping an open mind.- Never Stop
SELINA HOSSAIN is one of Bangladesh's most prolific and vocal writers. In this short audio interview she outlines her social activist credentials.- The Soul of a Book
Bengali writer NABANEETA DEV SEN is one of India's leading writers and thinkers. Audio interview.- Silently For Me
The almost simultaneous appearance of a doppelganger and a voice in his head is the end of enough for RAJORSHI CHAKRABORTI's put-upon, young narrator.- Rubies the Size of Peas
A Ukrainian girl dreams of speaking with the finest RP accent. Short story by SVETLANA LAVOCHKINA.- Between Two Worlds
Honour without profit is nothing new for writers, as Gillian Hughes shows in her illuminating biography of JAMES HOGG.- Flame Lily
Short story by HESTER ROSS in which images of life in Malawi and Ireland interpenetrate.- I have a strange feeling about this
Reassured by the lack of stuffed crocodiles and alembics, FIONA ALLEN become a volunteer subject for the Parapsychology Unit of Edinburgh University.
Textualities print magazines 'Science & intuition' and 'In Place'
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