Pagan's Pilgrimage

John Herdman

Summary

John Herdman's beautiful and mysterious Edinburgh tale, Pagan's Pilgrimage, first published in Scotland 1978.

With nascent love abandoned and the recurring presence of the creeping 'wrinkled-nosed' laundry man of a traumatic childhood, the stagnating life of Pagan must be revived by the discovery of a somewhat questionable raison d'être ― the assassination of an aristocrat.

The spleenful nature of Herdman's titular protagonist and a selection of odd experiences perfectly sets up a strife deep within himself: can Pagan commit to his partially book-found life-calling, tangled into his pilgrimage?

In Pagan's Pilgrimage, John Herdman expertly demonstrates his capacity to evoke complicatedly moralising characters with haunting effect. Equal parts absurd and ephemeral Pagan's Pilgrimage is an enigmatical Edinburgh tale.

"A sustained and often brilliant performance ... sheer comic invention and verbal ingenuity ... This is an observant, intelligent and humorous novel of great merit."

Alan Bold, The Scotsman

".... the writing is brilliant .....a kind of exploration of the Scottish soul .... An unforgettable piece of writing."

Cuthbert Graham, Press & Journal

"There is a seriousness at the heart of it, a wide philosophical background, and an acute psychological verity ... all that I have spoken of will delight you."

Catherine Lockerbie, The Student

"Remarkable in its clarity and disturbing in its implications. The novel is an impressive construct, amusing, climactic, at times dreadful, and locked together in tidily effective prose."

David Campbell, Scottish Educational Journal

Available since: 01/06/2024.

Print length: 80 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Black Magic by Sydney Horler

Sydney Horler

Sydney Horler (1888-1954) was one of the popular British writers of the first half of the twentieth century. Although he never quite reached critical acclaim, his books sold by the millions. His most famous creation was a British Agent called Tiger Standish, a precursor to Ian Fleming’s James Bond.  
But this story, narrated by Michael Henrik Wynn, the editor of the educational net radio stream Historyradio.org, is a young adult horror story that manages to be sufficiently scary - with a gleam in its eye. It features satanism, attempted murder and contains considerable humour.  
The music at the start and at the end of the audiobook comes from Kwartet Japoński I by Maciej Żołnowski distributed by musopen.org.

Show book

Undead The: Part 22 - Rye

R.R. Haywood

The Undead. The UK's Bestselling Horror Series. The Undead Twenty-Two: Rye. 
 
Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Amazon & Audible bestselling author, RR Haywood. One of the most downloaded indie authors in the UK with nearly four million books sold and over 25 Kindle bestsellers. 
*WINNER OF DISCOVER SCI-FI BEST RELEASE OF 2023* 
 
With the battle for Gatwick over, the badly injured team desperately need to find shelter and recover – but that shelter is taken away as they get pulled into another deadly adventure in the ancient seaside town of Rye.

Show book

The Masked Chicken - Super Zero

Rachel Lawson

Stories from The Magicians Series starring The Masked Chicken 
He's dressed as a chicken why does he need a mask? Anyways! This delusional man dressed as a chook who thinks he's hero in a world of superheros and supervillains but he is more likely to get in trouble than help anyone including himself or his friends. It is doubtful he could do anything but cause mischief or get hurt. Hear his misadventures here this is a poem about him. 
The Magicians: The Super Zero 
I am a famous hero when danger comes you know I'll be there to save you, nothing can stop me saving the day. People in danger call me the only one who can save them, I am called the Masked Chicken. 
Narrated by:Rachel LawsonAddison Fell as Alexa in Bad Omens,

Show book

Sideways - A Psychological Thriller

KR Hinton

A door to another world. 
Loved ones twisted and evil. 
After finding a mysterious old scientific text in her college's library, young Danni is pulled headfirst into what at first seems to be a long forgotten experiment with dark goals. Diving deeper into the mystery, however, she finds that her loved ones have been replaced by imposters. 
How far do the changes go? 
Can she trust these creatures wearing their skin? 
Where did they come from and how can she put them back? 
While struggling with the answers to these questions, Danni wrestles with the idea that there may be more going on. 
What if this is not real? 
Time is running out for Danni to make a decision, and either choice will change her life forever. 
You’ll love this gripping thriller, because everyone’s greatest fear is seeing the ones we love become strangers. 
Listen now.

Show book

The Castle of Otranto

Horace Walpole

"The Castle of Otranto" is a novel written by Horace Walpole and first published in 1764. It is considered the first Gothic novel, setting the stage for a genre that would become popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The book is known for its blend of supernatural elements, romance, and suspense. The story is set in the medieval Castle of Otranto in Italy and revolves around the mysterious and supernatural events that unfold within its walls. The narrative involves a cursed noble family, secret passages, prophecies, and a large helmet that seems to portend doom. The novel explores themes of power, love, and the supernatural, creating an atmospheric and suspenseful tale.

Show book

Carnival of Terror (Carnival of...

Ian Fortey, Ron Ripley, Scare...

The circus is coming to town. And terror follows in its wake… 
When a man is killed under mysterious circumstances, retired marine and the world’s greatest ghost hunter, Shane Ryan, finds himself tangled up in the case. The trail of clues leads him to a sinister traveling carnival. And a string of new murders… 
Backtracking along the carnival’s route, Shane discovers a ghost town filled with bloodthirsty wraiths. Battling these undead killers, Shane is barely able to escape with his life. But he manages to unearth a link between the murder victims and a hideous crime from the town’s sordid past. 
Years ago, a grave injustice led to bloodshed. Now, a dark, terrifying force has been unleashed: a relentless spirit, on a brutal quest for revenge. And unless Shane and his allies can stop it, more blood will be spilled. 
Shane Ryan hasn’t lost a battle with the supernatural yet. But this time, he may have met his match… 
Step into the eerie world of Scare Street, where supernatural horror and suspense await you at every turn. Our collection of ghost stories, urban legends, and haunted house stories offer the perfect mix of scary and spooky tales. Whether it's a creepy campfire classic, short horror stories, or unsettling creepypasta, our tales are crafted to bring thrills and chills that will keep you hooked.

Show book