Mine Is the Night

by Liz Curtis Higgs

  After experiencing the tension, drama, and heartache of Here Burns My Candle, you may have been surprised to find several lighthearted moments in Mine Is the Night. What is gained by adding a touch of humor to a scene and to this novel in particular? Think of one bit of action or dialogue you found amusing or entertaining. Why did it appeal to you, and what did it reveal about each of the characters involved? Since laughter and tears are at one end of the emotional spectrum—and apathy is at the opposite end—we often move rather quickly from one heightened emotion to another. Which scene in particular moved you, and why might that be so?

  Restoration and redemption are the twin themes of Mine Is the Night. After many losses what is restored in Marjory’s life? In Elisabeth’s life? When someone is redeemed, he or she may be rescued, set free, delivered, or bought back, depending on the situation. In what ways are Marjory and Elisabeth redeemed? And how do some of the other characters experience redemption? Roger Laidlaw perhaps, or Fiona Cromar? Are there any characters in the novel whom you consider beyond redemption? If so, who and why?

  Imagine Marjory, Elisabeth, and Anne ten years hence. What might their lives look like in 1756? Where are they living, how are they spending their time, and what is the condition of their hearts? The epigraph chosen for our Readers Guide states, “A woman’s whole life is a history of the affections,” suggesting women tend to measure themselves by the success or failure of their relationships with others. Do you agree or disagree, and why? What might your own life look like in ten years, particularly in regard to your relationships with those you love?

  Readers who favor historical fiction are quick to explain their preference. Cynthia from California wrote, “It transports me to another world and enlightens and enriches me while I am entertained.” And Christine from Indiana said of historical fiction, “It carries me away to another time and place where people lived, loved, and were finding their way just as I am today.” If you prefer contemporary novels, what reasons could you offer? And if historical novels are more to your taste, what do you enjoy about them? When you reach the last page of any novel, what emotion do you most want to experience?

  For more about the author, visit www.LizCurtisHiggs.com.

  Scottish Glossary

  a’—all

  aff—off

  ahint—behind

  ain—own

  Almichty—Almighty

  anither—another

  atween—between

  auld—old

  awa—away, distant

  aye—yes, always

  bairn—child

  bethankit!—God be thanked!

  blether—jabber, gossip

  bliss—bless

  blissin—blessing

  braw—fine, handsome

  brig—bridge

  Buik—the Bible

  burn—brook, stream

  byre—cowshed

  cauld—cold

  close—passageway, courtyard

  coo—cow

  creepie—low chair, footstool

  deid—dead

  dominie—schoolmaster, teacher

  doon—down

  dreich—bleak, dismal

  dwiny—sickly, pining

  faither—father

  fash—worry, trouble, vex

  foy—party, feast, celebration

  freen—friend

  gane—gone

  gie—give

  girdle—griddle for cooking

  gowf—hit, strike, slap

  gracie—devout, virtuous

  granmither—grandmother

  greet—cry, weep

  guid—good

  ha’—half

  hame—home

  heid—head

  heidie—headstrong, rebellious

  heiven—heaven

  het—hot

  Hielands—Highlands

  hoose—house

  hoot!—pshaw!

  howdie—midwife

  hurlie—trundle, move about on wheels

  ilka—each, every

  ill-kindit—cruel, inhuman

  ither—other

  jalouse—imagine, presume

  ken—to know, recognize

  knowe—knoll

  lands—tenement houses

  lang—long

  leal—loyal

  leddy—lady

  leuk—look

  loosome—lovely

  Luckenbooths—locked market stalls

  luve—love

  mair—more

  mebbe—maybe, perhaps

  meikle—great, much

  mem—madam

  mercat—market

  micht—might

  michty—mighty

  mither—mother

  monie—many

  muir—moor

  nane—none

  nicht—night

  niver—never

  noo—now

  och!—oh!

  onie—any

  oniewise—anyhow

  oo aye—yes (from French oui)

  oor—our

  oot—out ower—over

  pend—vaulted passageway

  praisent—present, gift

  puir—poor

  richt—right

  scoonrel—scoundrel

  sma’—small

  souter—shoemaker

  spurtle—porridge stick

  stayed lass—old maid

  syne—since, ago, thereafter

  thegither—together

  thocht—thought, believed

  tolbooth—town prison

  toun—town

  tron—public weighing machine

  verra—very

  wa’—wall

  walcome—welcome

  wark—work

  weel—well

  wha—who

  whan—when

  whatsomever—whatever

  whaur—where

  wheesht!—hush!

  wi’—with

  wird—word

  wynd—narrow, winding lane