SCOTTISH CRIME FICTION- Discussion Session - Friday 26th August - 1-2 pm - FREE - all welcome: Scottish crime fiction
The genre of noire in crime fiction is well represented in Scotland based crime fiction. Referred to in the online literate available to all is Tartan Noire. One aspect of this style is the use of Doric words; ramie or puckle for example.
Some examples of the fiction are Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Stuart McBride to name but three of best known. The lineage of such work may trace back to Robert Louise Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde: With various borrowings along the way! By the way FMI library has much of Ian Rankins crime fiction and ALL the Rebus novels. The catalogue is searchable online, via the FMI website: http://bookmark.central.sa.edu.au/fmi.htm
Looking specifically at the McBride works we see the setting is Aberdeen and with protagonist Logan McRae in many of the early works. The theme I take most from the few McRae based novels I have read apart from violence is the weather. Are we blessed in Melbourne is all I can say. The rain falls in different forms and an average summer day cooler than a winter day here. McCrae’ s relationship with those around him are noticeable as is his relationship with those of the dark side of crime world. The lovingly depicted DI Steel is a bright spot in all scenes she appears in.
Focusing on Dying Light the second of the Logan McRae in the series the rain, the topography of the city, the characters, the dark humour and the food are all of note. Food such as mealie pudding, clootie dumpling, a full Scottish breakfast and a smoked sausage supper with mentions of haddock and chips. YUM.
The thing that intrigues me is the use of non English words in the script. Some of these words are in the online dictionaries; some I had to ask a friend from that part of the world as they are non-English words used in a slang way. Examples include Aye for yes and Wee for small are common parlance while Weegie for Glaswegian and hoaching for crowded are less well known. In one exchange Logans boss tricks a suspect by saying” Mister Richie ..fit?..aye aye.. Noo I ken he wis asking for a puckle chuckies but ah canna deliver em imarra” in a broad Aberdonian accent. Can you decipher what this means?
Many of the words quoted are Doric a regional dialect of NE Scotland recently acknowledged as a language. Other words from Doric in Dying Light are champit for mash, skoofed to swig, shoogle to wriggle or sqirm, Howff pub or hangout, futnit for weasel like and puggler for a hefty female. Charming!
The FMI has 3 of the Logan McCrae series as well as numerous other crime fiction set in Scotland.
With thanks to Dictionary of Doric, Wikipedia and any other electronic site utilised.
Thanks to Neil - FMI Committee - for info on session please call Cameron at the FMI Library 03 9687 1935 Weds-Fri 10am-4 pm. FREE session - no need to book!
