First published 1998
Magnus Merriman stands at the crossroads of his ambitions, dreaming of literary fame, political influence, and romantic conquest. He throws himself into each pursuit with equal fervor and spectacular incompetence. His attempts at courtship collapse into embarrassment. His political campaigns end in humiliation. His writing efforts produce more frustration than art. Even his return to crofting brings fresh disasters. Brown skewers Scottish society through Magnus's misadventures, taking aim at pretentious writers, pompous politicians, and cultural sacred cows. No institution escapes ridicule as Magnus stumbles from one farcical failure to the next. Yet beneath the comedy lies a man whose dreams exceed his abilities, whose idealism crashes against reality's sharp edges. Magnus remains undaunted by defeat, finding new ways to disappoint himself and others.
Genres: fiction, satire, literary-fiction, 20th-century, comedy
Vibes: intimate, satirical, thought-provoking
Tropes: farcical-failures, incompetent-protagonist
Setting: Scotland
Period: 20th-Century
196 pages · Paperback · Canongate Books Ltd