Taken from the Publishing Scotland Year of Stories catalogue, here’s ten brilliant books that bring Scotland’s capital city to life, with bitesize recommendations.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie – Muriel Spark
Follows the passionate, free-thinking and unconventional teacher Miss Brodie.
44 Scotland Street – Alexander McCall Smith
Revolves around the comings and goings at No. 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh.
Trainspotting – Irvine Welsh
Welsh’s iconic novel shows the grittier side of the capital city with sex, drugs, violence and petty crime.
The Library of the Dead – T.L. Huchu
T.L. Huchu brings a futuristic gothic flavour to his novel, the first in his Edinburgh Nights series.
Knots and Crosses – Ian Rankin
When talking of Edinburgh fiction, we must include a node to the inspector Rebus series.
Luckenbooth – Jenni Fagan
This mesmerizing, bedazzling novel tells the stories of the residents of 10 Luckenbooth Close.
The Game of Kings – Dorothy Dunnett
One of Scotland’s finest historical fiction novels, introducing you to superspy Francis Crawford.
The Fanatic – James Robertson
Robertson’s debut novel tells a dual narrative of Edinburgh in the 1990s and 1670s.
The Way of All Flesh – Ambrose Parry
Masterful historical crime taking the reader into the dark heart of Victorian Edinburgh.
The Home Corner – Ruth Thomas
Subtle and tender portrait of the confusing transition into adulthood.