Book description
Introduced by Christopher Harvie The End of an Old Song is the story of
three young people, Alastair, a reckless careerist, Patrick an artist
and Catherine the self-centred girl from whom they can't break free. Set
in the thirties, the War Years and beyond, it also evokes the nostalgic
passing of a way of life and the destruction of values symbolised by the
decline of an old house, Kingisbyres. Scott's novel is one of those rare
works in which life blows across the page, careless of time and space
and convention, making its own moods and weather. Stevensonian in its
movement and warmth, its portrayal of character is as vivid and
authentic as its feeling for a time now past. 'In Alastair Kerr, the
central figure of this novel, Mr Scott goes right to the heart of the
new ruling classes. Alastair's transformation from a village boy into
the very embodiment of contemporary careerism is brilliantly told.'
Observer
