We are proud to announce the re-release of two long-lost works by the renowned Scottish writer Lewis Grassic Gibbon. The books, Gay Hunter and Three Go Back, have been out of print in their full, original form for decades. Thanks to Neosome Productions, these significant literary works are now available as both eBooks on Amazon and physical copies, exclusively through the publisher’s website.
Lewis Grassic Gibbon, best known for his Scots Quair trilogy, was a master of Scottish literature, capturing the essence of early 20th-century Scotland. However, some of his works, particularly those that venture into speculative fiction, have been overshadowed by his more famous writings. Gay Hunter and Three Go Back, both written under his real name James Leslie Mitchell are among those hidden gems, now republished and presented to a new generation of readers.
Reviving Gibbon’s Legacy
“Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s work has had a profound impact on Scottish literature, yet some of his most imaginative and forward-thinking novels have been largely forgotten,” said Jo-Anne Tait, founder and editor of Neosome Productions. “By restoring Gay Hunter and Three Go Back to their original form, we feel like as well as preserving literary history—we’re giving readers a chance to explore the rich and diverse range of Gibbon’s storytelling.”
“The inspiration for this came after watching Dundee Rep’s stunning version of Sunset Song earlier this year which got me thinking about his other books,” said Stuart Mitchell, editor of this range for Neosome Productions. “After searching I realised there just wasn’t a readily available version of Gay Hunter and when I bought the ebook of Three Go Back I soon realised it was an abridged version that was created in the 50s for the US pulp sci-fi market. I was shocked that these works by one the North East’s most prominent authors weren’t easily available, so in order that I, and many others, could read them we decided to put them out!”
A New Era for Scottish Literature
The release of these two books is a significant milestone for Neosome Productions, a small, independent publisher dedicated to bringing overlooked Scottish literary works back into the spotlight. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see these books find their way back into the hands of readers,” added Tait. “These books are of their time but are an important window into society of the time, and their thoughts and theories on both the future and the past. We believe that Gibbon’s work deserves to be celebrated and studied in its entirety, and we’re honoured to play a part in making that possible.”
Readers and collectors alike can look forward to experiencing these rare works in their full, unabridged form as both Gay Hunter and Three Go Back are available now for purchase here as paperback editions, and available now at Amazon.co.uk for eBooks.
Three Go Back is a time-travel adventure that transports its characters—and readers—back to prehistoric times, raising questions about human evolution, society, and survival. It’s a thrilling journey that showcases Gibbon’s flair for combining adventure with intellectual inquiry.
Gay Hunter is a daring exploration of a dystopian future where a socialist utopia is disrupted by the reawakening of primitive human instincts. This thought-provoking novel is a testament to Gibbon’s ability to weave social commentary into compelling narratives.
Lewis Grassic Gibbon (1901-1935)
Lewis Grassic Gibbon, born James Leslie Mitchell on February 13, 1901, in Auchterless, Aberdeenshire, was a Scottish writer whose works have had a lasting impact on Scottish literature. He is best known for his Scots Quair trilogy, which includes the novels Sunset Song (1932), Cloud Howe (1933), and Grey Granite (1934). These books vividly depict the life and struggles of the Scottish rural working class in the early 20th century and are considered some of the most significant works of Scottish fiction.
Gibbon was a versatile writer, known not only for his exploration of Scottish rural life but also for his forays into speculative fiction. Writing under his real name, James Leslie Mitchell, he produced several science fiction novels, including Gay Hunter (1934) and Three Go Back (1932). These novels, though less known than his Scots Quair trilogy, demonstrate his imaginative scope and willingness to tackle complex social and philosophical issues.
Despite his relatively short life—he died of peritonitis at the age of 33—Gibbon’s work has endured, securing his place as one of Scotland’s greatest literary figures. His ability to capture the voice and spirit of Scotland, combined with his innovative approach to narrative and genre, has left a lasting legacy. Today, his work is celebrated for its emotional depth, linguistic richness, and its powerful evocation of a way of life that has largely disappeared.
Gibbon’s influence extends beyond literature, inspiring adaptations in theater, film, and television, and continuing to be studied and cherished by new generations of readers and scholars. His work, particularly Sunset Song, is often included in discussions of the greatest Scottish novels of all time.