Daisy Chain: a novel of The Glasgow Girls

Lily Crawford and Jeanie Taylor are firm friends from their childhoods in Kirkcudbright. They share their ambitions for their futures, but when Jeanie runs away from home and joins a dance company, they lose touch. A chance meeting reunites them and they discover a Glasgow at the height of its wealth and power as the Second City of the Empire. Separated once again after the war, Lily and Jeanie find themselves on opposite sides of the world, but the glamour and dissolution of 1920s Shanghai lead Lily into peril.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 10 June 2021
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

A novel that truly captures the essence of The Glasgow Girls, Allan Massie's work is a delightful and heartfelt tribute to this remarkable group of artists. With its poignant portrayal of heart-breaking and hopeful moments, this book offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of Lily Crawford and Jeanie Taylor, two friends from very different backgrounds who shared a deep bond from their childhood in Kirkcudbright.

As the years unfold, their eventful lives intertwine, taking them on a journey through the vibrant city of Glasgow. Before the outbreak of the First World War, Jeanie embarks on a new adventure by running away from home and joining a dance company, while Lily attends The Mack, Glasgow's renowned school of art designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Fate brings them together once again, and together they discover a Glasgow at the height of its wealth and power, known as the Second City of the Empire. However, beneath the surface of this glamorous city lies a city of poverty and overcrowding, a stark contrast to the lives they had known.

The war separates the two friends once again, sending Lily to follow her husband to Shanghai, while Jeanie's dance career takes her to international fame. However, the glamour and dissolution of 1920s Shanghai soon lead Lily into peril. In a desperate attempt to save her friend, Jeanie turns to desperate measures, putting their friendship and their lives on the line.

Inspired by the eventful and colourful lives of the pioneering women artists The Glasgow Girls, particularly that of Eleanor Allen Moore and Daisy Chain, this novel weaves a tale of independence, women's art, resilience, and female friendship. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the early years of the 20th century, it offers a captivating perspective on a period of immense change and transformation.

Through its vivid storytelling and memorable characters, Allan Massie's book invites readers to immerse themselves in the world of The Glasgow Girls and experience the triumphs and challenges of their lives. It serves as a testament to the power of friendship, the pursuit of dreams, and the resilience of women in the face of adversity.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 144 x 222 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529366389