Agnes Owens: Out of the Margins

(Photo credit: Alasdair Watston)

This episode, recorded live, is dedicated to one of Scotland’s most brilliant, singular, and quietly radical voices…

One hundred years ago today, Agnes Owens was born, and it was such a joy to be part of her centenary celebrations at Milngavie Town Hall last weekend, reflecting on the writer’s wit and wonder with literary dream team Dani Garivelli, Kirstin Innes, Heather Parry and Kirsty Logan… 

They’ve written new introductions to Agnes' first four extraordinary books as part of Polygon’s major reissue campaign - and they discussed Agnes' incredible work, and words…

I was also joined in conversation by Agnes' son (and literary executor) John Crosbie , and Sorcha Dallas, who’s the custodian of the Alasdair Gray and Agnes Owens Archives. 

Alasdair illustrated some of Agnes’ covers, and is a name often connected to the writer, along with James Kelman - all three featured in the Lean Tales anthology - and the legendary Liz Lochhead… And I’ve always loved the quote from Ali Smith, that revels in Agnes’ “deadpan gothic” qualities…

Later on in this episode, Dani, Kirsty, Kirstin and Heather discuss Gentlemen of the West, Like Birds in the Wilderness, A Working Mother and For the Love of Willie - all published in the 1980s and 90s - but first up, here’s Sorcha and John…

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or right here! And go buy the books; they’re something else…