The Book of Scotlands

At least as relevant as it was when it was first published in 2009, this almost uncategorisable collection by under- appreciated polymath Momus gives us 156 possible Scotlands, a mix of (very) short stories, speculations and surrealisms, many of which are very funny. Two to offer a flavour:

Scotland 80 The Scotland in which the Edinburgh Festival runs all year, and in every city.
Scotland 129 The Scotland in which Josef K and The Fire Engines owe their twang, clatter and clang [...] to those slik pioneers twenty years their senior: Franz Ferdinand.

Scotland 124 could be a summary of the book as a whole: 'a set of Scottish etiquettes and assumptions travelling through space'. Too clever by half and all the better for it. Fantastic.

As someone who has always held a mild fascination with the idea of alternative realities there was a decent chance this was going to be a hit with me. Wasn't quite what I was expecting, although not sure if that's a good thing or not. Utterly bonkers book, farcical and surreal with an odd dark moment thrown in here and there to keep the reader's attention. Certainly a few smiles were raised along the way.

Introduction aside, there was no new content added since the book's original release in 2009, which is fine since the author doesn't really use contemporary ideas or moments to base universes around so everything aged rather well.

Overall, I rather liked it. Helped that it was an extremely quick read that didn't overstay its welcome.

This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to Netgalley and Luath Press.