Auld Licht Idyls

Name: Auld Licht Idyls
Author: James Matthew Barrie

The collection of short stories explores the lives and traditions of a Scottish community in the late 19th century. It portrays their struggles with modernity and the decline of traditional values. The stories are often humorous, but also convey a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. They examine themes such as identity, morality, and the impact of change on small communities.

By James Matthew Barrie · First published 1867 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Regional Fiction, Short Stories · 12 chapters · 51,484 words

First lines

Early this morning I opened a window in my school-house in the glen of Quharity, awakened by the shivering of a starving sparrow against the frosted glass. As the snowy sash creaked in my hand, he made off to the waterspout that suspends its "tangles" of ice over a gaping tank, and, rebounding from that, with a quiver of his little black breast, bobbed through the network of wire and joined a few of his fellows in a forlorn hop round the henhouse in search of food. Two days ago my hilarious bantam-cock, saucy to the last, my cheeriest companion, was found frozen in his own water-trough, the corn-saucer in three pieces by his side. Since then I have taken the hens into the house. At meal-times they litter the hearth with each other's feathers; but for the most part they give little trouble, roosting on the rafters of the low-roofed kitchen among staves and fishing-rods.

What this Textopian page supports

Auld Licht Idyls is listed on Textopian as a novel by James Matthew Barrie, dated 1867 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: James Matthew Barrie
Date: 1867 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Regional Fiction, Short Stories, Social Commentary, Humor
Length: 51,484 words
Structure: 12 chapters, 501 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for Auld Licht Idyls by James Matthew Barrie
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book is characterized by its detailed exploration of everyday life and the human condition, focusing on character development and thematic depth.
Regional Fiction — The narrative is deeply rooted in the specific cultural and geographical setting of a Scottish village, emphasizing local customs and dialect.
Short Stories — The book is a collection of interconnected short stories, each contributing to the overall depiction of the community and its inhabitants.
Social Commentary — The stories provide insight into the social dynamics and norms of the time, often critiquing or highlighting societal issues.