James Barke's Robert Burns 5 Novel Quintet

James Barke’s quintet paints a vivid, historically rich portrait of Robert Burns, emphasizing not only his poetic genius but also his struggles as a man caught between ambition, politics, love, and financial hardship.

Originally planned as a trilogy, as Barke became more immersed in Burns’ life, researching historical documents, letters, and poetry to provide an authentic portrayal, he developed an intimate understanding of Burns as a person, which allowed him to construct a seamless narrative across multiple books. By the time he completed The Wonder of All the Gay World (1949), the trilogy had grown into a more ambitious undertaking, leading to The Crest of the Broken Wave (1953) and the concluding The Well of the Silent Harp (1954).

While Barke did not begin with a rigid five-book structure in mind, his storytelling expanded naturally as he followed Burns’ life from youthful idealism to his tragic end. Each novel was written with the next in mind, but Barke allowed the work to evolve organically based on his growing understanding of Burns and historical sources.

1. The Wind That Shakes the Barley (1946)

This first novel in the series follows the early life of Robert Burns, from his childhood in Ayrshire to his struggles as a farmer’s son. It explores the hardships of rural Scotland in the 18th century, the influences that shaped Burns’ poetic voice, and his growing interest in radical ideas. The novel captures Burns’ early romances, his passion for poetry, and his desire for both love and social justice.

2. The Song in the Green Thorn Tree (1947)

This installment focuses on Burns’ transition from an unknown poet to a rising literary figure. It covers the publication of his first collection, Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, and his growing reputation in Edinburgh’s literary circles. While gaining fame, Burns struggles with his identity as a man of the people and the expectations of high society. His complicated love life, particularly his relationship with Jean Armour, is also a key theme.

3. The Wonder of All the Gay World (1949)

As Burns achieves greater recognition, he becomes increasingly involved in the political and intellectual debates of his time. This novel portrays his interactions with prominent figures in Edinburgh, his struggles with money and patronage, and his growing radicalism. Burns remains torn between his literary ambitions and his loyalty to Scotland’s rural working class. His romantic entanglements continue, reflecting his passionate and often troubled personal life.

4. The Crest of the Broken Wave (1953)

This book delves into the later years of Burns’ life, as he takes a government job as an excise officer. It examines his financial struggles, his political frustrations, and his declining health. Despite his hardships, Burns continues to write, producing some of his greatest poetic works. His relationships, particularly his marriage to Jean Armour, are explored in depth, showing the toll his lifestyle and political beliefs take on his personal life.

5. The Well of the Silent Harp (1954)

The final novel in the quintet brings Burns’ life to its tragic conclusion. His health deteriorates, and his financial troubles worsen as he struggles to support his family. Despite his physical decline, he remains a passionate advocate for Scottish identity and working-class rights. The novel captures his final moments, emphasizing his enduring legacy as Scotland’s national bard. Barke presents Burns as a deeply human figure—flawed but brilliant, a man who lived and died for his art and beliefs.

James Barke was a Scottish novelist best known for his historical fiction and his deep engagement with working-class themes. Born on May 22, 1905, in Torwoodlee, near Galashiels in the Scottish Borders.

Barke’s formal education was limited; like many young men of his background, he left school early to enter the workforce. He trained as an engineer and worked in the shipyards of Glasgow, where he was exposed firsthand to the struggles of ordinary workers. These experiences instilled in him a strong socialist ideology, which would later shape both his literary career and his political views.

Barke’s first major work, The World His Pillow (1933), introduced his recurring themes of class struggle, social justice, and the complexities of human relationships. This was followed by The Land of the Leal (1939), a novel that further cemented his reputation as a writer committed to portraying the realities of working-class life in Scotland.

Although his early works were well received, it was his historical fiction, particularly his five-volume series on Robert Burns, that brought him lasting recognition. Beginning with The Wind That Shakes the Barley (1946), Barke sought to present a detailed and humanized portrait of Scotland’s national poet, exploring Burns’s political radicalism, personal struggles, and literary genius. The series, which included The Song in the Green Thorn Tree (1947) and The Wonder of All the Gay World (1949), was praised for its depth of research and its vivid storytelling.

Barke was deeply involved in Scotland’s literary and political circles. He was a committed socialist and nationalist, believing in the power of literature to inspire social change. His novels often reflected his belief in the dignity and strength of the working class, and he was an advocate for Scottish identity and culture.

Despite his literary achievements, Barke’s later years were marked by declining health and financial difficulties. He continued to write and publish, but he struggled to achieve the same success as his earlier works. He passed away on March 3, 1958, leaving behind a body of work that remains an important part of Scottish literature.

Novels:

• The World His Pillow (1933)
• Major Operation (1936)
• The Land of the Leal (1939)
• The End of the High Bridge (1940)
• The Wild MacRaes (1942)
• Bonnie Jean (1959)

The Robert Burns Quintet (Historical Novels on Robert Burns):

• The Wind That Shakes the Barley (1946)
• The Song in the Green Thorn Tree (1947)
• The Wonder of All the Gay World (1949)
• The Crest of the Broken Wave (1953)
• The Well of the Silent Harp (1954)

Other Works:

• Scotland - Yesterday and Tomorrow (1947) – A political and cultural study of Scotland.
• The Immortal Memory (1954) – A book on Robert Burns and his influence

All 5 copies are in excellent condition 

The Wind That Shakes the Barley: the original unclipped dustcover has some stains around the front titles and some minor fraying around the edges. The inside pages are bright and clean throughout.

The Song in the Green Thorn Tree: A fine unclipped dustcover with only superficial light fraying, Inside the pages are bright and clean throughout.

The Wonder of All the Gay World: A fine copy with a clean unclipped dustover with just a few small tears and loss at the top of the spine. Inside the pages are bright and clean throughout.

The Crest of the Broken Wave: A near fine unclipped dustcover with clean and bright pages throughout.

The Well of the Silent Harp: A near fine unclipped dustcover with clean and bright pages throughout.

 

Please check the images associated with this Book to gain a clear insight into the book's condition and if you require further details please send an email enquiry. Please remember the book you are seeing in the image is the copy your are purchasing.

 

 

This edition comprises of 5 books and in total the weight is 2.2kg. Due to the value and weight of this edition, additional shipping costs may well be requested if shipping to a non UK Destination.

Please contact us if you are interested in this edition and require further costs regarding shipping. 

For the UK Shipping will be Free.