THE LETTERS OF IVOR PUNCH (PAPERBACK 2016)
FEATURING ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FROM COLIN AND AN ACTUAL LETTER FROM ISABALLA BIRD
Winner of the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s First Book Award.
All islands have their secrets.
This one has more than most.
‘The Letters Of Ivor Punch’
‘I raced through this clever, poignant, beautiful book in one sitting. It’s peopled by a cast of brilliantly off-the-wall characters, and full of keen-eyed observations about life on a remote Scottish island – and, by extension, everywhere. A must-read.’
Laura Barnett, Best-selling author of The Versions Of Us
“As a songwriter, Colin MacIntyre seems always to have been a natural storyteller. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before he turned his abilities to the longer form of the novel. It is fitting that the man best known as Mull Historical Society has crafted a story to which he has put his own name, yet it is a novel which owes so much to his roots on the island of Mull. Such powerful storytelling resonated strongly with readers at the Book Festival, making Colin a runaway winner in voting for the First Book Award.”
Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival
“He writes with a clarity of style.”
The Scotsman
“We meet a pioneering female writer, two fatherless boys, a man who fell from the sky and, of course, the prolific letter writer Ivor Punch.”
The Big Issue In The North
“The Punch family history is both fascinating and sad. The book is interesting, funny, has a famous cameo and keeps you reading, and it’s only when you reach the end of the final chapter that the Punch family history falls into place… The characters are original, well-written, and it’s one of those books you want to re-read after you’ve finished it.”
Newbooks Magazine
‘A truly original and enthralling novel. Ivor Punch is a magnificent creation and his story is mischievous, sad, funny and truthful.’
Stephen Kelman, Booker Short-Listed Author of Pigeon English
‘Tragedy and superstition hang over the characters like a mist, and the sea laps against every page. A Beguiling novel.’
The Independent On Sunday
‘An incredible novel. A thing of genius and wonder by an artist, a creator, in the truest sense of the word.’
We Love This Book.com
‘MacIntyre is a storyteller with a unique imagination, and has created a genuinely heartfelt novel with some standout elements of dark comedy. The shadow of death is a striking, compelling theme.’
The List
“Fascinating and sad … interesting, funny [and] one of those books you want to re-read after you’ve finished.”
New Books Magazine
‘A stunning debut.’
Waterstones Piccadilly, London
‘And fuck.’
Ivor Punch
