June 10th 2024.
Growing up on the Hebrides, Donald has a deep connection to the Scottish islands. His non-fiction books have been praised for their vivid descriptions of the island's culture and nature, and he has gained a reputation as a skilled storyteller. In this interview, he shares his love for short stories, classic literature, and his childhood on the Isle of Lewis.
When asked about his first book memory, Donald recalls reading a version of Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, with illustrations by Dudley D Watkins. The drawings, particularly one of young David Balfour stranded on a beach, reminded him of his own native Ness. This early introduction to classic literature sparked a lifelong love for the genre.
One book that Donald recommends to everyone is Island, a collection of short stories by Cape Breton writer Alistair Macleod. He also mentions other writers such as Iain Crichton Smith and George Mackay Brown who have inspired him to write about small and island communities with power and poetry. He admires writers like Claire Keegan, William Trevor, and Alice Munro who have a unique ability to capture the essence of rural life.
When asked about the best books he has read in the last year, Donald mentions The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, which deals with the migration of Black people from the Southern States in the 1920s. He also praises The Colony by Audrey Magee for its use of both English and Irish language in a dramatic and poetic way. He has yet to read Prophet Song by Paul Lynch, but has been intrigued by his other works which portray rural life in a fascinating way.
On the topic of books he didn't finish, Donald admits to struggling with two Russian novels - War and Peace by Tolstoy and The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky. However, he has found great enjoyment in shorter works from Russian and Eastern European writers.
When asked about an author who has inspired him, Donald immediately mentions Alice Munro, a Canadian writer with Scottish roots. He admires her ability to delve into the complexities of human life, especially in rural communities, in her short stories.
Finally, Donald shares his favourite place to read - by the peat fire flame. This brings back fond memories of his childhood in Lewis, where the loss of electricity would often lead to reading and writing by the fire. Nowadays, he recreates this experience in Shetland, but with the added luxury of being able to switch off the TV. Donald's latest book, The Salt and the Flame, is out now and can be purchased online.
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