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Columba's Bones
£5.99
A fierce, witty and gripping Darkland Tales novella — blending Viking mayhem, early Christian history and a sharp, surprising meditation on faith, violence and survival.
David Greig reimagines the bloody raid on Iona in 825, following a stranded Viking who must outwit monks, nature and his own demons to uncover the relics of St Columba.
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About the Ebook
Columba’s Bones transports readers to the Isle of Iona in the year 825 — a moment of brutal violence and spiritual upheaval. During a savage Viking raid, Abbot Blathmac is murdered on the steps of his monastery for refusing to reveal the hiding place of St Columba’s sacred relics.
The next morning, one Viking wakes alone, hungover, abandoned by his crew and stripped of his sword by the island’s last surviving monk. He cannot swim, there are no boats, and the relics he came to steal remain hidden. With only his wits, he must survive long enough to rejoin his comrades — and uncover the treasure that brought him to Iona in the first place.
Rooted in real history and the early monastic culture of Iona, this novella is a thrilling, darkly comic and deeply thoughtful exploration of the clash between Christianity and paganism. Greig expands the tale into a meditation on shame, redemption, violence, love, transcendence and the strange, slippery nature of reality itself.
Shortlisted for the Highland Book Prize and the Bookmark Book Festival Book of the Year.
Critical Praise
"A bold, imaginative and utterly compelling reworking of a pivotal moment in Scottish history."
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- A gripping Darkland Tales entry blending history, myth and razor‑sharp storytelling.
- A unique Viking protagonist — flawed, funny, violent and unexpectedly philosophical.
- Rich historical grounding in the early Christian world of Iona.
- Perfect for fans of historical fiction with a dark, literary edge.
- A standout debut book from one of Scotland’s most celebrated playwrights.
About the Author
David Greig is one of Scotland’s leading playwrights. A graduate of Bristol University, he co‑founded the Suspect Culture theatre company in the 1990s, and his plays have been performed across Scotland and internationally. His works include Midsummer, The Events, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Local Hero and The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart. He is Artistic Director of Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre. Columba’s Bones is his first book.
Publication Details
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Imprint: Polygon
Publication Date: 5 October 2023
Print Length: 184 pages
ISBN (Ebook): 9781788855969
Format: Ebook
Language: English
Categories: Fiction / Historical Fiction
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