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The Edinburgh Skating Club

A journey through time, identity, and hidden histories

Michelle Sloan author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Birlinn General

Published:4th Aug '22

Should be back in stock very soon

The Edinburgh Skating Club cover

In The Edinburgh Skating Club, two women's journeys across time reveal the struggles of love and identity in a male-dominated world.

The story unfolds in The Edinburgh Skating Club, where the past and present collide through the journey of two remarkable women. Eighteenth-century poet Alison Cockburn embarks on a daring mission to penetrate a male-dominated society by disguising herself as a man. This light-hearted challenge, initiated by her friend Katherine Hume, leads to unexpected revelations about identity and societal norms. As Alison navigates the intricacies of her new life, the narrative explores themes of love, friendship, and the struggles women faced in a patriarchal world.

In a parallel storyline, art historian Claire Sharp is drawn into a mystery that connects her to Alison's past. Tasked with uncovering the true provenance of the iconic painting The Skating Minister, Claire finds herself entangled in a web of history and art. Her journey not only reveals the significance of the painting but also highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women to the arts and society.

The Edinburgh Skating Club is a celebration of resilience and the enduring power of love in its many forms. Through rich storytelling and vivid character development, readers are invited to reflect on the roles women have played throughout history, and how their stories continue to resonate today. The book’s imaginative narrative weaves together the threads of the past and present, creating a tapestry that honors the strength and spirit of women.

'The Edinburgh Skating Club is an engaging read, in which discussions about art, politics, love and gender are woven deftly into the plot'

-- Kirsty McLuckie * The Scotsman *

'History, humour, and plenty of heart, in a slice of Edinburgh heritage served up with more than one unexpected twist. Perfect for fans of Alexander McCall Smith, art lovers and anyone who loves the capital'

-- Barbara Henderson * Highland News and Media *

'A pacy tale traversing both 18th century and modern-day Edinburgh'

-- Jennifer McLaren * Dundee Courier *

'In this playful and poignant offering of historical fiction, Sloan celebrates love and the unsung contributions of women to Scottish culture... both heart-breaking and enchanting in equal measure'

-- Kai Durkin * Press and Journal *

'The Edinburgh Skating Club is warm and funny with more than a few surprises. It’s a very entertaining read with an unexpectedly emotional ending'

* Portobello Book Blog *

'As fascinating and pleasurable as I could have hoped... Embedded in sound historical research, this is a feel-good read which tackles issues of sexism through the ages without ever taking itself too seriously'

-- Ali Bacon

'Most impressive and a delight to read

* University of Edinburgh Journal *

'Sloan incrementally builds up a plot of some complexity and provides an enjoyable symmetry between period and modern scenes'

-- Ben Bergonzi * Historical Novel Socie

ISBN: 9781846975950

Dimensions: 195mm x 130mm x 20mm

Weight: 278g

320 pages