BOOK REVIEW: Those Other Times, by Bess Ross

I AM ashamed to admit I had not come across the work of Bess Ross until now. She is acknowledged to be one of the finest Scottish writers today and I wish I had found her earlier. Her first novel, Those Other Times is semi-autobiographical and told in deceptively simple language. That is to say, the unadorned style of writing gives the story a very ‘immediate’ feeling which easily transports the reader to young Marjie’s side, the fourth of seven children. Although related in the third person her family’s struggles to make ends meet without money and in inadequate housing is effectively portrayed from Marjie’s point of view.

The novel begins with the arrival of the rent man while her father is still recovering from two weeks of illness which kept him in bed and unable to work. The rent man shows no compassion to their plight, giving the family until the end of the month either to find two months’ rent or leave their pleasant council home. Forced to return to the tiny damp abode in their father’s native island community the children make the best of their circumstances, enjoying being close to their grandmother who is able to provide occasional treats and brief reprieves from their chaotic home life. Cis, the children’s mother, prone to moods and unable to cope with bringing up her brood in these austere circumstances mostly takes out her temper on Marjie, but occasionally on her siblings too. Their father, John, keeps out of his wife’s way as much as possible by seeking refuge in his shed where he mends creels and fishing nets for other people.

Marjie, the brightest of the children, easily progresses from the village primary school to the nearby academy where she wins prizes for high achievement in Latin, French and Bible Studies. As they grow up Cis becomes increasingly resentful of her children’s education and the time it takes up. Time which, she says, would be far better spent getting jobs with wages to help keep the family afloat. While Marjie enjoys her studies and shares dreams with her friend, Margaret, of going to Edinburgh University in a few years time, she is also put under pressure to leave the academy, find work and contribute to the family income. When the day comes for her to depart for a new life in Edinburgh to work as a childminder she feels only relief.

Discovering this gem of a novel on the reading list for my postgraduate degree has been a delightful start to my journey along the highways and byways of literature of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. I intend to seek out this author’s other books as soon as I have time and opportunity.

REF: Those Other Times, by Bess Ross
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd; 1991, 256 pages, pb

23/01/12