Launch of The False Men by Mhairead MacLeod
Waterstones Inverness, Thursday 28th September at 6.00pm
Mhairead MacLeod's new novel, The False Men is a re-telling of true events during the Hebridean Clearances. The event will be hosted by Dr John Dempster of the Highland Literary Salon, and is non-ticketed.
The author, Mhairead MacLeod lived on The Isle of Uist and in Inverness before emigrating to Australia. Her home is now in Brisbane, Australia where she has worked as an ethics lawyer, investigator and university lecturer. She holds Masters degrees in both Law (University of Melbourne; University of Queensland) and in Arts/Creative Writing (QUT). Her Facebook page is here and her web site here
Based on the true story of Jessie MacDonald (also known as Jessie Balranald) The False Men is a fictionalised account of the brutal and traumatic clearances of Hebridean crofters from the Isle of Uist.
It passionately and evocatively tells the story of a community split by status, privilege and power, and the personal story of one woman's courageous struggle to resist social pressure and choose her own path. Mhairead MacLeod says: “The Uists are distinct and evocative islands, with a sometimes dark history that is linked to the stark beauty of the wide open spaces and depopulated vistas.The False Men is one story of many that reveal the personal impact that the power and influence of the landlords who implemented The Clearances had on all aspects of society.” Adds Seonaid Francis, Director of ThunderPoint Publishing: “The False Men is set in violent times, but Mhairead MacLeod conveys the compassion, love and friendship between individuals who fought for survival despite the divisions, trauma and devastation of The Clearances.” ISBN: 978-1-910946-27-5 (Kindle) ISBN: 978-1-910946-25-1 (Paperback)
