
Lanark: Chapter 40. Provan
02/24/21 • 11 min
In 1993 Alasdair sent his sister Mora (my mum) a cassette tape in reply to one of her letters. He ends it with this excerpt from Lanark and an explanation of why he only included the miserable aspects of his childhood in the novel.
I started recording Alasdair in what turned out to be the last year of my uncle's life - so I could spend more time with him and share with you the very great pleasure of sitting quietly at home with Alasdair listening to him read and talk about books. Mum mentioned the existence of this earlier recording after Alasdair's death and kindly allowed me to share it.
You can find out more about the story behind Alasdair Gray rereads in A Gray Space a creative space inspired by Alasdair Gray.
I couldn't have made these podcasts without the help of my family and friends:
Alasdair Gray
David Thomas - technical advice and support
Berniya Hamie – closing piano
Matthew Robinson – rereads logos
Featured book: Lanark by Alasdair Gray. You can follow @alasdairgrayrereads on Instagram for news, pictures and previews of upcoming episodes. And if you have any questions or thoughts to share I’d love to hear them – so please do leave a comment.
In 1993 Alasdair sent his sister Mora (my mum) a cassette tape in reply to one of her letters. He ends it with this excerpt from Lanark and an explanation of why he only included the miserable aspects of his childhood in the novel.
I started recording Alasdair in what turned out to be the last year of my uncle's life - so I could spend more time with him and share with you the very great pleasure of sitting quietly at home with Alasdair listening to him read and talk about books. Mum mentioned the existence of this earlier recording after Alasdair's death and kindly allowed me to share it.
You can find out more about the story behind Alasdair Gray rereads in A Gray Space a creative space inspired by Alasdair Gray.
I couldn't have made these podcasts without the help of my family and friends:
Alasdair Gray
David Thomas - technical advice and support
Berniya Hamie – closing piano
Matthew Robinson – rereads logos
Featured book: Lanark by Alasdair Gray. You can follow @alasdairgrayrereads on Instagram for news, pictures and previews of upcoming episodes. And if you have any questions or thoughts to share I’d love to hear them – so please do leave a comment.
Previous Episode

Lanark: Chapter 41. Climax
In 1993 Alasdair sent his sister Mora (my mother) a cassette tape in reply to one of her letters. On it he reads bits of his work he thinks she'll enjoy - including this excerpt from the Climax of Lanark that’s clearly based on memories of spending time with his own son, Andrew.
I started recording Alasdair in what turned out to be the last year of my uncle's life - so I could spend more time with him and share with you the very great pleasure of sitting quietly at home with Alasdair listening to him read and talk about books. Mum mentioned the existence of this earlier recording after Alasdair's death and kindly allowed me to share it.
You can find out more about the story behind Alasdair Gray rereads in A Gray Space a creative space inspired by Alasdair Gray.
I couldn't have made these podcasts without the help of my family and friends:
Alasdair Gray
David Thomas - technical advice and support
Berniya Hamie – closing piano
Matthew Robinson – rereads logos
Featured book: Lanark by Alasdair Gray. You can follow @alasdairgrayrereads on Instagram for news, pictures and previews of upcoming episodes. And if you have any questions or thoughts to share I’d love to hear them – so please do leave a comment.
Next Episode

Unlikely Stories: Time Travel
In 1993 Alasdair sent his sister Mora (my mother) a cassette tape in reply to one of her letters. On it he reads the whole of this bitter-sweet short story Time Travel – which was published the same year with some revisions in Ten Tales Tall And True and later in Every Short Story.
I started recording Alasdair in what turned out to be the last year of my uncle's life - so I could spend more time with him and share with you the very great pleasure of sitting quietly at home with Alasdair listening to him read and talk about books. Mum mentioned the existence of this earlier recording after Alasdair's death and kindly allowed me to share it.
You can find out more about the story behind Alasdair Gray rereads in A Gray Space a creative space inspired by Alasdair Gray.
I couldn't have made these podcasts without the help of my family and friends:
Alasdair Gray
David Thomas - technical advice and support
Berniya Hamie – closing piano
Matthew Robinson – rereads logos
Featured book: Ten Tales Tall And True by Alasdair Gray. You can follow @alasdairgrayrereads on Instagram for news, pictures and previews of upcoming episodes. And if you have any questions or thoughts to share I’d love to hear them – so please do leave a comment.
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