Paperbacks: Hellfire and Herring, by Christopher Rush
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From the lubricious ranting of a preacher ("Copulation is friction of the member") to the bunches of fish "dangling like dumb silver bells from my grandfather's finger", Rush recalls his Forties childhood on the east coast of Scotland in language that is fresh, lively and resonant. It was a place "crawling with weirdoes" – literally so, in the case of one Bowfter Sandy, who would "get down on all fours biting people's ankles" – where supernatural perceptions were as much a part of everyday existence as constellations, darned socks and sea urchins. This book is tinged with a dark, chilly magic.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments