I was only fourteen and at Stromness Academy when The Storm came out. While we had heard about the new author, we were more familiar with the works of Eric Linklater, Edwin Muir and, especially, the dialect poems of Robert Rendall. Then we were read ‘The Storm’ (the poem) by our English teacher and we were really impressed. So much so that the next day two of us rushed down to Rae’s shop at lunchtime with a precious four shillings in our hands to buy the book. Of course, we had left it too late. They were all gone! Imagine our disappointment!
Later, during my first year at Aberdeen University, I was on my regular Saturday hunt for second hand text books at The Market behind Union Street. To my amazement, I saw a copy of The Storm. I grabbed it with both hands and bought it – for a whole shilling. I smiled all the way home. I still have it and it is in good condition as you can see from my photo.
Many years later, my cousin, John Yule, who is also a book collector, saw it in my bookcase. Being younger than me, he had not known about it. He immediately bought it from the internet. It cost him SLIGHTLY more than a shilling. He has allowed me to mention him.
Where next?
Click here to return to Stories of ‘The Storm’
Click here to return to The Storm and Other Poems
Click here to return to GMB Centenary 2021
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