The Ballad of the Five Marys

By Donald Smith

Donald Smith's third historical novel investigates where Mary Queen of Scots' history ends and legend begins through the captivating use of contemporary prose ballad. Smith seeks a truthful narrative about not only Mary Carmichael but also Seton, Beaton, Livingston and Fleming by integrating firsthand accounts and dramatic testimony. It marks 500 years since Flodden and the Birth of John Knox.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luath Press
• Release date: Oct 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781909912618

Donald Smith

Donald Smith is an accomplished storyteller in a variety of media from fiction to digital, live stage and spoken word. He has produced, adapted or directed over 100 plays, and published a series of novels on turning points in Scottish history. He has also written a series of non-fiction books on Scottish culture including Storytelling Scotland (2001). He is a lead author in the series Journeys and Evocations, celebrating local storytelling traditions across Britain and Ireland. He is a founding member of the Scottish Storytelling Forum, Edinburgh’sGuid Crack Club and is currently Chief Executive of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) which brings together Scotland’s traditional arts, as well Director of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.