‘His persistent creativity for a half-century makes this Scottish writer worthy of the greatest respect throughout the English-language world.’ – Paul Binding, Guardian
‘Let me alert everyone to the best-kept secret in modern British literature ... if you are interested in books that are humane and wise, not slick and cynical; then treat yourself this year to some Robin Jenkins.’ – Andrew Marr
‘Many people can produce a novel, but very few are authentic writers whose sentences and paragraphs give intrinsic pleasure. Jenkins is one of them.’ – J. B. Pick
‘Jenkins [is] a remarkable writer whose gentlest touch induces the greatest of pleasures.’ – The Times
In Love is a Fervent Fire Jenkins plumbs the depths of the subtlest human emotions in a brilliant study of sexual psychology. Burnt-out war hero and widower Hugh Carstares moves to a small Scottish village to work with the forestry service. The arrival of this intriguing, enigmatic, single man triggers the villagers’ intense curiosity, which soon turns to violent passion and hatred as Constance Kilgour and her fatherless child become objects of Hugh’s love and compassion.
John Robin Jenkins was born in 1912, one of four children, in the village of Flemington, near Cambuslang. He studied English at the University of Glasgow. When World War II broke out, he registered as a conscientious objector and was directed to work for the Forestry Commission; he used this experience in the acclaimed novel, The Cone Gatherers. In 1957, he moved abroad to work in Spain, Afghanistan and Malaysia. In 1968, he settled in Dunoon where he remained for the rest of his life. In 2002 he received the Saltire Society’s Award for Lifetime Achievement. He died in 2005.