The Witching Voice : A Novel From the Life of Robert Burns

"The turbulent artistic and romantic life of Robert Burns, the premier icon of the Romantic movement, is creatively reenacted in this contemporary tribute to the drama and texture of late 18th-century Scotland. Based on extensive research and historical fact, Burns' life at the height of his fame from 1784 to 1788 is portrayed as spontaneous, passionate, and sexual. Told in the present tense through multiple viewpoints, Burns' story is a frank and moving portrait of a man often misguided by the "witching voice" that motivated him-a drive composed of the same charms, demons, and shortcomings that nurtured his remarkable gifts."-- Provided by publisher January 25, 2009, marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, one of the most beloved poets in all of English literature. Arnold Johnston's The Witching Voice brings to life the crucial years from 1784 to 1788, when Burns rose from poverty and obscurity as an Ayrshire farmer to nationwide acclaim and lionization by the aristocracy of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital and a bastion of the European Enlightenment. Written in the same Scots-English that Burns made so familiar to the world, The Witching Voice is based on extensive research. It pulls no punches, offering a clear picture of the gifts, demons, and shortcomings of this poet who continues to charm us The turbulent artistic and romantic life of Robert Burns, the premier icon of the Romantic movement, is creatively re-enacted in this contemporary tribute to the drama and texture of late 18th-century Scotland. Based on extensive research and historical fact, Burns' life at the height of his fame from 1784 to 1788 is portrayed as spontaneous, passionate, and sexual. Told in the present tense through multiple viewpoints, Burns' story is a frank and moving portrait of a man often misguided by the 'witching voice' that motivated him - a drive composed of the same charms, demons, and shortcomings Arnold Johnston. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 317).