The Green Isle of the Great Deep
First Edition:
The Green Isle | of the Great Deep | by | Neil M. Gunn | [space] | Faber and Faber Limited | 24 Russell Square | London
Collation:
[A] (8), B - I (8), No J, K - Q (8), 128 leaves.
p. [1] THE GREEN ISLE | OF THE GREAT DEEP | For Old Hector | and others like him | who were friendly | to many a Highland boy, | this phantasy.; p. [2] By the same author; p. [3] Title page; p. [4] [ital] Publisher's and Printer's notices: First published in MCMXLIV : Statement re economy standards; pp. 5 - 6 Contents; pp. 7 - 256 Text.
5" x 7 1/2". Bound in dark green cloth, spine stamped in gold: {three wavy horizontal lines] | The | Green | Isle | of | the | Great | Deep | [three wavy horizontal lines] | Neil | M. | Gunn | [three wavy horizontal lines] | [space] | F & F
Other Editions:
Souvenir Press | London | 1975
The novel was dramatised for radio and broadcast 22nd. January 1966.
An extract comprising part of pp. 201 - 202 appeared in: Glimpses of Gunn | Ann Yule and Alan Haldane | Neil M. Gunn Memorial Trust | Dingwall | 1990 | p. 40.
An extract comprising part of p. 25 appeared in: Glimpses of Gunn | Ann Yule and Alan Haldane | Neil M. Gunn Memorial Trust | Dingwall | 1990 | p. 45.
An extract comprising part of p. 33 appeared in: Glimpses of Gunn | Ann Yule and Alan Haldane | Neil M. Gunn Memorial Trust | Dingwall | 1990 | p. 45.
An extract comprising part of p. 224 appeared in: Glimpses of Gunn | Ann Yule and Alan Haldane | Neil M. Gunn Memorial Trust | Dingwall | 1990 | p. 46.
An extract comprising part of p. 91 appeared in: Glimpses of Gunn | Ann Yule and Alan Haldane | Neil M. Gunn Memorial Trust | Dingwall | 1990 | p. 46.
An extract comprising part of p. 204 appeared in: Glimpses of Gunn | Ann Yule and Alan Haldane | Neil M. Gunn Memorial Trust | Dingwall | 1990 | p. 46.
An extract comprising part of p. 204 appeared in: Glimpses of Gunn | Ann Yule and Alan Haldane | Neil M. Gunn Memorial Trust | Dingwall | 1990 | p. 52.
Birlinn | Edinburgh | 2006
Notes:
Dr. Robert MacIntyre of the S.N.P. recalls a conversation with Gunn and quotes (verbally) his reply to the question, "Why is "The Green Isle of the Great Deep" not better known?" as "I don't know, it was my best book."
The main characters in this novel are Young Art and Old Hector who we met in the earlier novel of that title. The book, which Gunn in his dedication refers to as a phantasy, commences with a trip to the river which had been Art's aim in the earlier work. From there they are mystically transported to "The Green Isle", the Celtic "Tir Nan Og", but all is not well as God has been asleep. The book concerns Art and Hector's rebellion against the hierarchy which runs the Isle. The book is an unusual one in many ways, but retains Gunn's central belief in the individual. As such this is a commentary on the dangers inherent in a totalitarian state.