The Hidden Glasgow Forums

Now that Robert Douglas' new book "At Her Majesty's Pleasure is available I thought it would be good to hear what you thought of his previous two books.

Please provide your review of "Night Song of the Last Tram" and "Somewhere to Lay My Head".

And if you have his new book let everyone know what you think of this too.

Get the book from Play.com

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/-/100/157/-/3257902/At-Her-Majesty-Pleasure/Product.html?searchtype=genre

Review of "Night Song of the Last Tram" drom Dundee..

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/library/review_870.htm

Another from Books From Scotland

http://www.booksfromscotland.com/Books/Night-Song-Of-The-Last-Tram-9780340838617

Scotsman review of "Somewhere to Lay My Head"

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/critique.cfm?id=1214092006

I wonder if there's a chapter on his performance in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final against Porto - he was embarrassingly woeful.

Night Song of the Last Tram was excellent. Somewhere to Lay my Head was not as engaging but still a pretty good read.

Looking forward to his new book.

Bought it at Waterstones this afternoon, and have read the first few chapters. So far excellent, and the fact he agrees that criminals in prison deserve a right good kicking makes a refreshing change from the usual liberal pansies.

It'll have to go some to beat the first book though!

I have just finished Song of the Last Tram, easy read and I could relate to what was written.
I will be seeking the other two books.
Bye for now, Norrie

Recently finished reading "At Her Majesty's Pleasure"

Although it doesn't have the same attraction as "Night Song of the Last Tram" it is still a very good read and I would recommend it to everyone who has read any of the other two books by Robert Douglas.

There are some references to his visits to Glasgow so this provides some further detail of parts of Glasgow mentioned in the previous books.

Robert has an easygoing style of writing which is very easy to get into and once you start I am sure you will find it hard to put down. With some references to infamous prisoners he encountered during his year in the prison service there is an opportunity to gleam an insight into their life in prison.

The descriptive style of writing allows you to feel you can see the places he has been and helps you get into the heart of the story. Many laughs along the way and maybe even a few tears for the more sensitive reader.

A thoroughly good book well worth the cover price.

Rates a out of 10

I bought it at the weekend and i've only managed to read the first few chapters. Whereas i read 'Night Song...' in one sitting, and 'Somewhere to Lay My Head' in a couple of days.
I shall persevere, but although i love his writing style and amiable personality, the autobiography of a prison warder just isn't doing it for me.

Thanks to my wonderful and caring sister, who first introduced me to Night Song of the Last Tram, my sanity is still somewhat intact.
One late night, in the midst of a a very stressful period in my life, my sister, called and said, "Wait till you hear this!" At first I couldn't make out what she was saying...she was laughing so much as she read to me the chapter about Robert's visit to the dentist, (page 67 - "Doctors and Dentists Are Bad For You") It was hillarious!!! Thus began a nightly ritual of phone calls from my sister, meteing out one chapter at a time, in no particular order. (which was her way of helping to lighten my load, since we didn't live near each other) That's the beauty of the book, every chapter tells it's own wee story. My sister and I laughed and cried over that book, nightly, for weeks. I eventually purchased my own copy from Amazon.com and was able to read it from the beginning, chapter by chapter in proper order. It remains a treasured possession to pick up and open whenever I need a wee pick-me-up.

I should mention that our mum was Glasgow born and bred and although we were born and raised, "Doon the Watter", our mum never lost her Glasgow accent. When we were little she'd relate things to us about her Glasgow childhood that mirrored exactly, so much of the stuff in Night Song...

The author is at the Mitchell 6.30pm 16th August 2007.

See http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/9F6B3F4A-68A1-4931-9A19-6FD9ABAD9B9D/0/mitchell_events_julaug07.pdf

dazzababes wrote:I bought it at the weekend and i've only managed to read the first few chapters. Whereas i read 'Night Song...' in one sitting, and 'Somewhere to Lay My Head' in a couple of days.
I shall persevere, but although i love his writing style and amiable personality, the autobiography of a prison warder just isn't doing it for me.

I agree. My friend bought and read it within a couple of days. However, I just can't get into it at all, even skipping some bits as they are an almighty bore.

Well there's a surprise!

Something Fat Cat doesn't like

Featured in the Evening Times tonight.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/features/display.var.1602258.0.0.php

Well, that's me finished it now. I think it's essential reading for those who have read and enjoyed his previous two books, but i don't think it's of particular interest as a stand-alone autobiography - unless you have a particular penchant for the tales of a prison officer.
I trust i shall see you at the Mitchell book launch Alex?

Look forward to seeing you there Dazza.