Book description
 His persistent creativity for a half-century makes this Scottish
writer worthy of the greatest respect throughout the English-language
world.' Â- Paul Binding, Guardian  Let me alert everyone to the
best-kept secret in modern British literature ... if you are
interested in books that are humane and wise, not slick and cynical;
then treat yourself this year to some Robin Jenkins.' Â- Andrew Marr Â
Many people can produce a novel, but very few are authentic writers
whose sentences and paragraphs give intrinsic pleasure. Jenkins is one
of them.' Â- J. B. Pick  Jenkins [is] a remarkable writer whose
gentlest touch induces the greatest of pleasures.' Â- The Times
Poverty Castle is an absorbing work of contrasts and subtle irony
centred around an idealistic family in Argyll. A compelling novel, it
deals with human nature, as always with Jenkins, and the socialism of
industrial Glasgow.
John Robin Jenkins was born in 1912, one of four children, in the
village of Flemington, near Cambuslang. He studied English at the
University of Glasgow. When World War II broke out, he registered as a
conscientious objector and was directed to work for the Forestry
Commission; he used this experience in the acclaimed novel, The Cone
Gatherers. In 1957, he moved abroad to work in Spain, Afghanistan and
Malaysia. In 1968, he settled in Dunoon where he remained for the rest
of his life. In 2002 he received the Saltire Society's Award for
Lifetime Achievement. He died in 2005.
