Whispering Gallery, Issue 160

Dunnett’s depiction of animals in her books is the subject of the opening article in this issue of Whispering Gallery. A reader discusses the way the treatment of animals reveals the true nature of characters in the text; how the portrayals of the fate of animals may also provide a premonition of the fate of the human characters; and the opportunities animals offer Dunnett to display her wonderful sense of humour.

We feature all the entries from the Centenary postcard exhibition and we publish the winning entry of the 2023 short story competition. Two series draw to a close in this issue: the transcription of the talk given in 1996 on the structure and style employed in writing the Niccolò books, and the extracts from Alastair Dunnett’s autobiography.

Based on notes from the Dunnett Archive, we have a fascinating piece that discloses Dunnett’s initial thoughts for the eighth and final, but unwritten, Dolly book. We review the paintings of Hugo van der Goes, explore Lyons’ traboules, and a reader has a sharp word with Felix.

Contents 

• The Chairman’s Column
• Trustees’ Notice Board
• Dorothy Dunnett’s Animals
• The Dyer’s Apprentice, part 3
• A Dunnett Lexicon
• Women’s Fashion in the 16th Century
• May St Nicholas Hold the Tiller
• The Traboules of Lyon
• Drama, Baby!
• Centenary Postcard Exhibition
• ‘Hecate’s Daughter’
• Among Friends, part 3
• A Sharp Word With Felix
• Members’ Page
• Talking Point
• A Close Read

Published December 2023