The Girl on the Stairs

Between October and November (and between my university readings) I read Louise Welsh's The Girl on the Stairs, a novel which was recommended to me by a Scottish Literature academic at Glasgow University.

I haven't read any reviews, but I'm sure the most frequent word in them is either "disturbing" or "disquieting", and if not, anything beginning with "dis-". Because that is what this novel is. It reminded me a little of Sarah Waters's The Little Stranger, in the sense that, as a reader, you keep looking for clues that can help you rationalize what is going on, clues for an explanation that "makes sense". And, as Waters's novel, The Girl on the Stairs leaves you with nothing. 

The two novels also have in common the unreliable narrator and a steady build-up of the tension. Welsh's novel gives it a further twist with a demolishing epilogue in which "normality" is reinstated, but just superficially. Under the layer of unnatural normality lie creepiness, distrust, even disgust (See the "dis-" words making their appearance again?).

The two major elements that contribute to the uneasiness present throughout the novel are the fact that the main character, Jane, has just entered two unexplored territories (for her, that is) at once: Berlin (she's from Glasgow) and pregnancy. Being a stranger and speaking little German, as well as the possibility of hormone-induced paranoia all play a part in the development of the events the book narrates. 

This book also deserves a mention for dealing in a straightforward way with a mature lesbian relationship (not just the romance/falling-in-love stages) and the changes pregnancy brings into the couple's situation. 

Have you read anything by Louise Welsh? Do you have any recommendations? =)

Capercaillie + NE3 Folk

I know it's been a while since the last time I wrote, things just keep piling up in my mind!

I have since been to two folk music concerts, so get ready for some music! =)

Capercaillie (11th October)

Venue: Paisley Abbey (Paisley)

Price: £16

I don't know how to begin to introduce this fantastic band to you, so I thought I'd better leave you to their own words! What I can tell you is that they have done a great deal to put Celtic music back on the scene, mixing tradition and modernity. I have been a Capercaillie fan since 2004, and I had already been to another of their concerts (during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2010). I have to say that they kept up to my very high expectations! The venue did a great deal for the superb atmosphere too. The whole band had a wonderful attitude, and they moved us all! I can say "us" because two girls and a man in the front row just got up and danced to the last song... haha. 

This concert was part of the Spree festival, Paisley's national arts festival. I'll leave you to some of Capercaillie's music, so that you can enjoy a bit of it too!

NE3 Folk (27th October)

Venue: The Royal Oak (Edinburgh)

Price: £5

The members of this band define themselves as a "progressive Scottish folk trio playing contemporary, original and traditional tunes". If I'm not mistaken, they have been playing together since 2012, but this info might be wrong. In any case, they are a fairly new band, but they are certainly very promising. As their website indicates, "NE3 Folk are a band on a mission. Intricate rhythms and dissonance intertwine in subtle and detailed arrangements to sensitively deliver a wide array of traditional and original tunes. Combining Shetland and Scandinavian fiddle with delicate accordion, driving guitar and eclectic influences, they are dragging traditional music kicking, tapping and soaring in to the modern era". I have to say that, grandiloquent as this definition might sound, they really do justice to it. 

Their youth, dynamism and enthusiasm certainly showed during the evening, and their passion for music and experimenting with it did too. This really feels like an ongoing project that is constantly changing before your very eyes, and it just goes to new and amazing levels. I wish there was a YouTube video of their song "Monstrosity" (called that way, as they said, because of how difficult to play it is). It was really very impressive, like nothing I've heard before. I'll leave you to their song "The Other Man" (you can listen to more of their music on their website):

I almost forgot! A special mention to our host, the owner (I assume) of The Royal Oak, a small but well-kept pub in Edinburgh's Infirmary Street (a stone's throw away from the Royal Mile). He had a ton of personality and this was just the icing on the cake of our evening!

Are you a fan of folk music? What do you think of both Capercaillie and NE3 Folk? Do you know any other bands I might be interested in? I'm always looking for recommendations! =)