7.8 /10 1 Votes
Language English Publication date 1992 ISBN 0-571-21285-9 Country Scotland | 3.9/5 Goodreads Publisher Faber & Faber Pages 320 pp Originally published 1992 Genre Novel OCLC 48236280 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback) Similar Andrew Greig books, Novels | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electric Brae: A Modern Romance was the first novel by Scottish writer Andrew Greig. The title is a reference to Electric Brae in Ayrshire, where a natural optical illusion makes it seem that things can roll uphill.
Plot summary
Jimmy Renilson is an engineer aboard a North Sea oil rig, who divides his time between his affair with temperamental artist Kim Russell (born Ruslawska) and rock climbing. The narrative describes Jimmy's stormy relationship with Kim, and events affecting their circle of friends, especially Jimmy's climbing friend Graeme and his bisexual partner Lesley. Set in various parts of Scotland, especially Orkney, the book describes the two men's ambition to climb the Old Man of Hoy.
The main story is framed in a memory game Jimmy is playing with Kim's daughter.
The author has described the book as 'a modern romance without heather or hardmen'. It was shortlisted for the McVitie's Prize for Scottish Writer of the Year.