Me and Ma Gal

One of The List/Scottish Book Trust 100 All Time Best Scottish Books and shortlisted for the 1995 Saltire Society Scottish First Book of the Year Award.

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About the Book: 

Meet Derruck Danyul Riley and his best mate, Gal. This tale of two inseparable Scottish lads follows their scrapes ‘rowin’ up in Coatbrid’e, from e-huntin’ to outrunning’ the fearsome Bricklayer. Life in Coatbrid’e is not always fun and ‘ames, thou’h, and the boys learn what friendship truly means in the face of dan’er.

Des Dillon’s award-winnin’ debut perfectly captures the vitality and intensity of boyhood friendship, as well as paintin’ a vivid picture of contemporary Scotland.

Reviews: 

If you didn't grow up in Scotland you will enjoy this book. But if you did grow up here you will absolutely love it! JACK McCONNELL, Scotland's First Minister.

A brilliant debut filled with ironic revelation. The Times.

Quite simply, spot on. Big Issue in Scotland.

Reminded me of Twain and Kerouac ... a story told with wonderful verve, immediacy and warmth. EDWIN MORGAN

Ripe with humour and poignant vignettes of boyhood, this is an endearing and distinctive novel. Scotland on Sunday

About the Author:

DES DILLON was born and brought up in Coatbridge. He has written poetry and fiction, including Me and Ma Gal, (which won the recent World Book Day 'We Are What We Read' poll for the novel that best describes Scotland today) The Big Empty, Duck, Picking Brambles and Itchycooblue and has had several of his books adapted for film and television. His new book, The Glasgow Dragon, was published by Luath Press in August 2004. He has worked as a teacher of English, a creative writing tutor and as a scriptwriter for High Road and River City. Des Dillon lives in Galloway.