"In 1962, I was still listening to my parents’ records and vaguely aware that there were other things out there. Jean Redpath, a Scottish folk singer, sang in a kind of clear, quavery voice. They were traditional Scottish songs, but very simple arrangements, like folk versions. The Scottish influence was a big part of my parents’ record collection. They didn’t have Scottish bagpipes or anything; they were more interested in Scottish roots music: Woody Guthrie, Ewan MacColl, and different people from that era, who were writing folk songs that were vaguely political but also beautiful. I realized that this sounds very palatable and pretty on the surface, but there's something darker going on underneath."

"This is an epic modern Scottish classic. Gray is a renowned artist as well as author and here he paints a dystopian Glasgow that is mesmerizing and terrifying in equal measures."

"This is like a Scottish 'Catcher in the Rye.' You actually feel you're inside this women's head, it is that visceral. And having experienced a downward spiral myself I so admire her accuracy in every detail."