Graeme Gibson Livres

This unprecedented and enchanting treasure trove of paintings, drawings, poems, essays, and scientific observations beautifully captures the interest and emotions birds evoke.

This stunning companion to the internationally bestselling Bedside Book of Birds explores the relationship between predators and their prey. The intricate, complex connection between the hunter and the hunted has defined animal life on Earth throughout time. In The Bedside Book of Beasts, Graeme Gibson gathers from all eras and cultures works of art and literature that capture the power, grace, and inventiveness of both predators and their natural prey. Here are myths, fables, poetry, generous excerpts from nature and travel writing, journals, sacred texts, and works of fiction. There are vivid descriptions of noteworthy predators — including the big cats, bears, wolves — but also the small but voracious praying mantis. Gibson also brings to life the experiences, strategies, and emotions of vulnerable prey, and paints intriguing portraits of such legendary evil beasts as the Minotaur, Grendel, and the Biblical Leviathan. All of this is enhanced by a breathtaking array of art, both traditional and contemporary, as well as scientific, religious, and mythological drawings, paintings, and woodcuts. In The Bedside Book of Beasts Gibson evokes a profound sense of the eternal, often unsettling, connection between the human animal and the free, untamed beasts of the wilderness.

Set in 1970, Jamie Raeburn's attempt to escape his dark past is shattered when a secret document pulls him back into a world of violence. Joining Ultra, a covert British Security Organization, he becomes a top assassin known as an Archangel, tasked with destabilizing factions in Northern Ireland. Struggling to balance his dual identity as a family man and a killer, Jamie's resolve is tested when he questions his orders. As he confronts an IRA execution squad, he must uncover the truth behind the deadly conspiracy against him.

Exploring themes of creativity, mortality, and familial loss, the narrative follows novelist Robert Fraser as he navigates his own life alongside the fictional journeys of his characters. Set against a backdrop of diverse locations, including Toronto and Berlin, the story intertwines humor and poignancy through the escapades of Simpson, an anonymous sperm donor, and Dunbar, who finds unexpected freedom with Lena during a pivotal moment in history. The novel offers a rich examination of aging, fiction, and the growth that comes from reconciliation.

A high quality paperback edition of the beautiful and successful hardback.

Set against the backdrop of a cold November night in 1966 Glasgow, the story follows Jamie Raeburn as he responds to a mysterious call for help. This fateful decision leads him into a life-altering situation, setting off a chain of events that will profoundly impact his future. The narrative promises a blend of suspense and personal transformation as Jamie navigates the consequences of his actions.

Set in 1974, the narrative follows Jamie Raeburn, an unwilling Archangel Michael Messenger, who is resurrected to protect an IRA informer and thwart a significant terrorist plot against the UK. Haunted by the debt to the informer who previously saved him, Jamie's mission intensifies when he discovers that a former lover's life is also at stake. This moral quandary propels him into a tense confrontation with Ultra, forcing him to navigate a complex web of loyalty and conscience in his quest to save lives.