The Scottish Novel in 1824
1 July, University of Edinburgh – free
This one-day in-person symposium marks the bicentenary of 1824, an ‘annus mirabilis’ in the history of Scottish fiction that saw the publication of two experimental masterpieces: James Hogg’s The Private Memoirs & Confessions of a Justified Sinner, & Walter Scott’s Redgauntlet.
The imposing James Hogg Monument, overlooking St Mary's Loch in the Scottish Borders. It was unveiled in 1860 to commemorate the author often known as "The Ettrick Shepherd" who lived from 1770 to 1835. The image shows the setting before the trees in the background were blown down in a storm in January 2022. More pics and info: https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/selkirk/jameshoggmonument/index.html
Author James Kelman joins the Unburied Books Podcast to discuss James Hogg’s THE PRIVATE MEMOIRS & CONFESSIONS OF A JUSTIFIED SINNER, originally published in 1824.
The podcast discusses the novel’s unusual structure, moral ambiguity, & mixture of genres. Kelman offers historical insight into the book’s philosophy & places the work in a modern, international context.