Nancy Brysson Morrison

Agnes Morrison
as pictured on her biography
Born 24 December 1903
Glasgow
Died 1986
London
Pen name Christine Strathern and N. Brysson Morrison
Occupation writer
Nationality British
Genre Novels and biographies

Agnes Morrison or Agnes Brysson Inglis Morrison; Nancy Morrison; Christine Strathern (24 December 1903 – 1986) was a Scottish writer. She wrote biographies, novels and some romantic fiction. Known for writing about Scottish history and for focusing on those usually lost to history.

Life

Morrison was born in Glasgow in 1903.[1] Her father was Arther Morrison and her mother was the person who invented the idea of a "Flag Day". This is not a Flag Day in the American meaning of the word, but a day set aside to gather funds for a worthy cause and each contributor is given a small paper flag to wear as evidence of their gift. Morrison's siblings were nearly all writers too.

Morrison's first book was "Breakers" and this was published under the androgynous name "N. Brysson Morrison".[2]

Her third book was the most popular. The Gowk Storm told the life of three sisters with the youngest as the narrator.[3]The Gowk Storm(1933) was a Book Society Choice.. This sold well and it was adapted for the radio.[4]

Morrison also secretly wrote popular romantic fiction under the name "Christine Strathern". This was kept so secret that the link was not discovered until 30 years after her death.[5]

Her 1949 novel The Winnowing Years won the first Frederick Niven Award.[4]

A biography of Morrison was written and published in 2013 by Mary Seenan.[6]

In 1971 Rick Wakeman bought a copy of The Private Life of Henry VIII by N. Brysson Morrison.[7] Wakeman credits the book with inspiring his album The Six Wives of Henry VIII.[8]

Morrison wrote several biographies, novels and some romantic fiction. She was kKnown for writing about Scottish history and for focusing on those usually lost to history. She died in London in 1986.[2]

Works include

  • Breakers (1930)
  • The Gowk Storm (1933)
  • When the Wind Blows (1937)
  • The Winnowing Years (1949)
  • The Hidden Fairing (1951)
  • The Following Wind (1954)
  • Mary, Queen of Scots, (1960) non-fiction
  • Thea (1962)

Critical Review

"The Gowk Storm is one of the most atmospheric books I have ever read and the claustrophobia of the setting acts as a metaphor for the restrictions society places on these strong, intelligent and articulate young women. The symbolism of weather and the force of nature underpins the narrative. The weather is a character in itself, central to the main figures' lives; sometimes joyful, more often uncaring or malevolent, but always lovingly described and full of significance. What I love about the book is the detail; the way in which the author brings alive a character or place with economy and precision. The ferryman is 'a mere paring of a man', Christine Strathern's features are 'like a wax doll's which have melted ever so slightly at the fire'."[9]

References

  1. ↑ Agnes Morrison
  2. 1 2 Elizabeth Ewan; Sue Innes; Sian Reynolds (2006). The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women: From the Earliest Times to 2004. Edinburgh University Press. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-7486-1713-5.
  3. ↑ Nancy Brysson Morrison (1 July 2010). The Gowk Storm. Canongate Books. ISBN 978-1-84767-544-6.
  4. 1 2 Nancy Brysson Morrisson, Canongate.tv, Retrieved 27 June 2016
  5. ↑ A Gowk if ever there was one, Scottish Review of Books, Retrieved 27 June 2016
  6. ↑ Mary Seenan (March 2013). Nancy Brysson Morrison: A Literary Life. Kennedy & Boyd. ISBN 978-1-84921-122-2.
  7. ↑ "Music: Popping the Classics". Time. Time. 9 July 1973. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "How Rick Wakeman Made The Six Wives of Henry VIII". The Village Voice. 29 March 1973. p. 55. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Nancy Brysson Morrison - The Gowk Storm (1933)". The List. 2005-01-01. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
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