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This is the fourth book in a Saltire series examining the significance
of Scottish history, philosophy and the Scots language. Here the
distinguished Italian academic Carla Sassi examines Scotland's literature from the earliest times to the late 20th century and offers new
and fascinating insights into the nature of nationhood and identity,
and the way in which these are reflected in, and the inspiration for,
literary output at various periods. The major historical influences
are covered including relations with England, religious division, enlightenment philosophy and the Union of 1707, but Professor Sassi
also examines Scotland's role in the British imperial adventure and
the impact on literature of the coloniser / colonised experience. She
makes a special study of the contribution of women writers and the
writers of the 20th century 'Renaissance' and concludes with speculation on the future of 'Scottish' literature in a post-modern Scotland
exposed to global cultural influences and living in the new political
world heralded by the restoration of the Holyrood Parliament.
CARLA SASSI is Associate Professor of English literature at the University of Verona. She specialises in Scottish literature and has published
and lectured widely on this subject; both in Italy and in other countries.
Her most recent book, Imagined Scotlands (2002), is a study on post-Union Scottish literature. She has a special interest in women's writing
and in the literature of post-colonial societies. She is Honorary Patron
of the International Anthony Burgess Foundation.
With an introduction by poet and writer COLIN DONATI
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