Wain: LGBT reimaginings of Scottish folktales

Wain is a collection of LGBT-themed poetry based on Scottish folk tales, featuring a boy selkie, kelpie, princess warrior-wife, and Loch Ness monster. It offers an enchanting vision of contemporary life, suitable for all ages.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 88 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2019
Publisher: The Emma Press

A young lad with the ability to transform into a seal, an uncontrollable kelpie, the fierce warrior wife of a princess, and a Loch Ness monster who is too preoccupied with enjoying themselves to be concerned with words like "girl" or "boy" are just a few of the fascinating characters that populate the world. This is how the world functions, with a dash of Scottish mythology and enchantment added for good measure. Wain is a beautifully illustrated collection of LGBT-themed poetry geared toward teens (although suitable for readers of all ages) that reimagines Scottish folktales. These poems transport readers to a rich, diverse, and enchanting vision of modern life.

The Boy Selkie:

Wain's tale revolves around a young boy with the extraordinary ability to transform into a seal. Despite his human form, he possesses the instincts and behaviors of a seal, including swimming gracefully through the water and diving deep for hidden treasures. However, his true identity as a boy is hidden from the world, and he must navigate the challenges of living as both a human and a seal.

One day, while out on a fishing trip with his father, the boy meets a beautiful girl who falls in love with him at first sight. However, she is unaware of his secret and believes him to be a human boy. The girl's love for the boy deepens, and she becomes his confidante and closest friend. As they spend more time together, the boy begins to open up to her about his true nature and the challenges he faces as a selkie.

The girl is initially shocked and confused by the boy's revelation, but she is determined to support him and accept him for who he is. She helps him to navigate the complexities of his dual identity, and together they explore the world and discover the beauty of their relationship.

However, the boy's transformation into a seal is not without its challenges. He must constantly struggle to control his instincts and maintain his human form, especially when he is around other seals or in the water. He also faces discrimination and rejection from some members of his community, who view him as an outsider and a freak.

Despite these obstacles, the boy and his girl continue to love and support each other, and they work together to overcome the challenges that they face. They travel to different parts of the world, exploring different cultures and meeting new people. They learn to accept each other's differences and to celebrate their unique identities.

In the end, the boy's ability to transform into a seal becomes a source of strength and courage for him. He uses his powers to protect his community and to advocate for the rights of those who are marginalized and oppressed. He becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for others, and his story continues to be passed down through generations.

The Untameable Kelpie:

Another fascinating character in Wain is the untameable kelpie. Kelpies are legendary creatures in Scottish mythology, known for their loyalty, intelligence, and mischievous nature. In Wain, a young kelpie named Finnegan is born with a rare ability to shape-shift into different forms.

At first, Finnegan is delighted by his powers and uses them to play pranks on his friends and family. However, as he grows older, he begins to realize the consequences of his actions and the impact they have on those around him. Finnegan is fiercely loyal to his family and friends, and he will do anything to protect them.

One day, Finnegan's family is threatened by a powerful enemy who wants to steal their land and enslave their people. Finnegan knows that he must act to save his family and his community. He transforms into a powerful kelpie and sets out to defeat the enemy.

Finnegan's battle with the enemy is fierce and intense, and he must use all of his powers to defeat him. In the end, he emerges victorious, and his family and community are saved. Finnegan realizes that his powers are not just for fun and games, but for the greater good.

Finnegan's journey is not without its challenges, however. He must constantly struggle with his own emotions and desires, and he must learn to control his powers and use them for the greater good. He also faces discrimination and rejection from some members of his community, who view him as a freak and a danger.

Despite these obstacles, Finnegan remains loyal to his family and his community, and he continues to use his powers to protect them. He becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for others, and his story continues to be passed down through generations.

The Warrior-Wife of a Princess:

Wain's story also features a warrior-wife of a princess named Eilidh. Eilidh is a fierce and brave warrior who is devoted to her husband and her kingdom. She is trained in the art of combat and is known for her skill in battle.

One day, Eilidh's kingdom is threatened by a powerful enemy who wants to conquer it and enslave its people. Eilidh knows that she must act to save her kingdom and her people. She transforms into a powerful warrior and sets out to defeat the enemy.

Eilidh's battle with the enemy is fierce and intense, and she must use all of her skills and training to defeat him. In the end, she emerges victorious, and her kingdom is saved. Eilidh realizes that her strength and her skills are not just for her own benefit, but for the greater good of her kingdom and her people.

Eilidh's journey is not without its challenges, however. She must constantly struggle with her own emotions and desires, and she must learn to balance her duty to her kingdom with her personal desires. She also faces discrimination and rejection from some members of her community, who view her as a woman and a weakling.

Despite these obstacles, Eilidh remains loyal to her husband and her kingdom, and she continues to use her skills and her strength to protect them. She becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for others, and her story continues to be passed down through generations.

The Loch Ness Monster:

Finally, Wain's story features a Loch Ness monster named Nessie. Nessie is a playful and curious creature who is known for her love of adventure and her mischievous nature.

One day, Nessie falls in love with a human woman named Alice. Alice is a kind and gentle woman who is fascinated by Nessie and her playful nature. Nessie is initially hesitant to pursue a relationship with Alice, as she is concerned about the differences in their species.

However, Alice is determined to pursue a relationship with Nessie, and she works hard to earn Nessie's trust and respect. Nessie eventually falls in love with Alice, and they begin a romantic relationship.

Nessie's relationship with Alice is not without its challenges, however. They must navigate the complexities of their different species and the prejudices and stereotypes that they face from others. They also must deal with the threat of a group of scientists who are determined to capture Nessie and study her.

Nessie and Alice work together to overcome these obstacles, and they eventually find happiness and fulfillment in their relationship. Nessie learns to embrace her differences and to celebrate her unique identity, and Alice learns to appreciate and love Nessie for who she is.

In the end, Nessie's relationship with Alice becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for others. It shows that love and acceptance can overcome even the greatest of differences, and that true love knows no boundaries.

Conclusion:

Wain is a captivating collection of LGBT-themed poetry that reimagines Scottish folktales. These poems showcase the diversity and richness of the LGBT community, and they offer a powerful message of hope and acceptance.

Through the stories of the boy selkie, the untameable kelpie, the warrior-wife of a princess, and the Loch Ness monster, Wain teaches us that love and acceptance can overcome even the greatest of differences. It shows us that we are all unique and beautiful in our own way, and that we should be proud of our identities and our differences.

Wain is a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the complexities of the LGBT community and to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the human experience. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of embracing our differences.

Weight: 180g
Dimension: 211 x 153 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910139479