Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11869 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Publishing News, Book of the Month, November 2004
Douglas has real skill in conveying experience... his use of the Glasgow vernacular lends an extra poetry to the writing.

Review
'Exquisite ... a beautiful paean' (Sunday Times )

'His prose is direct, pacy, uncluttered ... engaging, deftly written and honestly remembered' (Herald )

'NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM is a simply written book and all the better for it ... It recreates stunningly clear memories of a Glasgow childhood ... At the age of 66, Robert Douglas has written his first book - I cannot believe it will be his last.' (Daily Mail, Scotland )

'A well-written slice of social history delivered directly by an eyewitness' (Independent on Sunday )

'It has been a while since a book has reduced me to both tears of laughter and sympathy, but Robert Douglas managed it with NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM.' (Journal, Newcastle )

'It is as a record of the old Glasgow spirit that this book is especially worthwhile.' (Sunday Herald )

'The portrait of his mother is beautifully done ... and her loss (through breast cancer) when he was still very young is heartbreaking: it brings tears to my eyes now just writing about it. Douglas has real skill in conveying experience and his use of the Glasgow vernacular lends an extra poetry to the writing. A quite exceptional autobiography.' (Publishing News, Book of the Month, November )

'Told with a direct, unsentimental honesty ... a vividness that makes them real. This is a remarkable, deeply moving autobiography.' (Cumberland Times )

'Wonderful ... vivid.' (Stockport Express )

'The descriptions of streets and smells and childhood feelings ... come from some little fire that's never gone out in Douglas' mind ... His prose is direct, pacy, uncluttered ... engaging, deftly written and honestly remembered.' (Herald )

Consider for instance "The Great Midden-raking Expedition", the sort of thing millions of Winnie-the-Pooh fans would be familiar with if Christopher Robin had been a Glaswegian ... NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM is a simply written book and all the better for it ... It recreates stunningly clear memories of a Glasgow childhood ... At the age of 66, Robert Douglas has written his first book - I cannot believe it will be his last. (Daily Mail, Scotland )

'A heartwarming, heartbreaking tale of a young boy's struggle to become a man.' (Our Time, Cambridge )

'Robert Douglas looks back to his Glasgow childhood and his experiences, the misery (and the laughter) pouring out on every page. The portrait of his mother is beautifully done ... and her loss (through breast cancer) when he was still very young is heartbreaking: it brings tears to my eyes now just writing about it. Douglas has real skill in conveying experience and his use of the Glasgow vernacular lends an extra poetry to the writing. A quite exceptional autobiography.' (Publishing News, Book of the Month, Novembe )

'One of the most moving autobiographies ever penned by a Scottish writer'

Peter Tate in the Bournemouth Daily Echo
He thanks the teachers of a Northumberland writers' group - We should, too.

Customer Reviews

Just finished reading this wonderful book.
I have just finished reading this wonderful book. I was taken through, tears, smiles, warmth,human kindness and rejoicing that only comes from the the soul of human struggling and hardship. The heartless father and typical British glass system gets a beating by the pluckiness of this hardy Glaswegian boy who's strength is fueled by his mothers love. I must admit to having tears in my eyes several times. This is a book that will remain in my book case as a reminder.

Filip Solberg, St Andrews,

A must must read !
This fabulous book had me laughing out loud and a few pages later had moved me to floods of tears. Robert's account of his trip to the Bluebell Woods at 'Mulguy' and picking flowers for his mum was simply magical. And his lucid account of the treatment from his brutal father was simply heartbreaking. I just couldn't put this book down.

best book ive ever read highly recommend this book
loved this book couldent put it down, as soon as i read it i had to buy and read the follow up. one of the best writers ive ever read it had me laughing then crying truely brill,book