Malachy Tallack – That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz
WithMalachy Tallack
In conversation withKate Molleson
On:28th October 2024, 7:00pm - 8:15pm
It's our great pleasure to be welcoming Malachy Tallack back to the bookshop for the launch of his new novel That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz. Set in Shetland, the novel is a soulful and moving exploration of the notion of home and belonging, from one of Scotland’s trailblazing literary writers. He will be in conversation with author, journalist and broadcaster Kate Molleson.
Following a conversation between Tallack and Molleson, there will be a half-hour set from the band behind the music of That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz. Malachy Tallack (guitar, vocals), Andrew Gifford (double bass), Jenna Reid (fiddle, vocals) and Laura-Beth Salter (mandolin, vocals) will perform songs from the novel’s accompanying album. The album will be available to purchase on vinyl on the night of the event.
This event will take place in the bookshop with an in-person audience, as well as a livestream for attendees watching from home. There will be a signing after the conversation and performance.
In-person vouchers can be redeemed on the night of the event against a single copy of That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz – we will have a list of attendees with vouchers to be redeemed. Please note that only one voucher can be redeemed per book. Livestream vouchers are valid until the day after the event and can be redeemed on our website against a single copy of That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz.
About That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz:
1957. Sonny is working on a whaling ship in the South Atlantic, reckoning with the most vicious storms he has ever seen. It’s a brutal way to make a living. When he finally returns to his Shetland home to build a life with his wife and young son, the legacy of his time at sea is felt by all of them.
In present day Shetland, Jack is an old man, living alone in the cottage where he grew up, in the shadow of a hill. And it is here, one evening, that something appears on his doorstep. Something that throws off the rhythm of his solitary existence in the most profound way.
This is a story of unlikely friendship, longing, the power of music and the pull of home. It is about a life revisited – and reimagined.
Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.
Participants:
Malachy Tallack Author
Malachy Tallack is the award-winning author of four books, most recently Illuminated by Water, which was shortlisted for the Richard Jefferies award for nature writing in 2022. His novel, The Valley at the Centre of the World was shortlisted for the Highland Book Prize and longlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize. His first book, Sixty Degrees North, was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week, and his second, The Un-Discovered Islands, was named Illustrated Book of the Year at the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards. Malachy is from Shetland, and currently lives in Fife.
Kate Molleson Chair
Kate Molleson is a journalist and BBC Radio 3 broadcaster. She is the author of Sound Within Sound.
The venue
The Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA
Telephone: 0131 629 6756
Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com
Wheelchair Access
We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.
Sound
We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.