A Subtle Sadness is an examination of 100 years of Scottish political, social and cultural history as seen through its effects on the Protestant Hunter and Catholic Coyle families, from the 1890s to 1990.
A Subtle Sadness focuses on the family and personal history of Frank Hunter, a sad Scotsman with a self-destruct streak enormous even by normal West of Scotland male standards. Frank Hunter is a product of Scotland’s unique contribution to mixed marriage, with a Protestant father and Catholic mother. A man of considerable talents, in both football and politics, he brings a peculiarly Scottish approach to the application of those talents.
A Subtle Sadness is also the story of a 100 year fight for Scottish Home Rule and independence , from 1890 to 1990, as told by Mary Ewing, a wise but bitter old woman, a doughty fighter all her life, and Frank Hunter’s only guide to his Protestant roots and his political inheritance. It outlines Mary Ewing’s six key rules of Scottish politics, including why independence is inevitable; and Frank’s own Hunter’s Law of Scottish politics.
A Subtle Sadness is a rigorous exploration of Scottish Identity and the impact on it of the key Scottish obsessions of politics, football, religion, sex and alcohol. It deserves to be read by everyone seeking to understand the Scottish character.
A Subtle Sadness is also the story of the emotional and political impact of Scotland’s quest for the World Cup, with 5 consecutive qualifications in the crucial years from 1973 to 1989 covered by the book.
A Subtle Sadness covers a century of Scottish social, political and football highlights, with disasters and triumphs aplenty, culminating in Glasgow’s emergence in 1990 as European City of Culture. Among the events covered are Gorbals by-elections of 1908, 1948, 1969 and 1982; the Scottish Convention of 1948; the 1979 Devolution Referendum victory defeat debacle, and the impact of Thatcherism on Scotland’s industrial base. It embraces the Gorbals Monster Hunt; the desegregation of Glasgow University Union; service in the Tartan Army and the death in action of Jock Stein; the doomed fight for Scotland’s industrial inheritance; and love, marriage and relationships in modern Scotland
On the football front the book covers the Ibrox Disaster of 1971; the less fatal disasters of Wembley 1961 and Argentina 1978; and the triumphs of Lisbon 1967, Wembley 1967, Barcelona 1972 and West Germany 1974, as well as the career of Frank Hunter.
A Subtle Sadness is also a reflection on sadness, depression and mental health as affected by that Scottish identity and those key obsessions. And it provides a searing scrutiny of the Scottish male capacity for self-destruction.
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The re-release of A Subtle Sadness has now been definitely arranged for Monday 31st May 2021 with a digital relaunch event as part of the Blooming Ringwood festival. Pre-order now and we will post a signed copy to you as soon as it is published.
Title: A Subtle Sadness
Author: Sandy Jamieson
ISBN: 978-1-901514-04-9
Format: Paperback
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