The House with the Green Shutters (ePub)

George Douglas Brown (1869-1902) was a Scottish novelist best known for his seminal work 'The House with the Green Shutters' published in 1901. Brown was born in Ochiltree, Ayrshire, and demonstrated a propensity for literature from a young age. Following his initial education in Scotland, he attended the University of Glasgow and subsequently won a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, where he read Literae Humaniores. His literary output was predominantly under the pseudonym 'George Douglas,' concealing his middle name, which was the same as his mother's maiden name. 'The House with the Green Shutters' is his only significant contribution to the literary canon, and it distinguishes itself through its stark realism and its departure from the sentimental 'kailyard' tradition of Scottish literature prevalent in the late 19th century. His work portrayed grim and unrelenting depictions of Scottish rural life, focusing on the fatalistic downfall of the central character, John Gourlay. Though Brown's life was cut short by illness at the age of 32, his literary influence persisted, affecting the subsequent generations of Scottish writers. A significant figure within Scottish literature, Brown's work is revered for its robust portrayal of Scottish identity, psychological insight, and critique of small-town provincialism.