The Laughter of Love: A Study of Robert Burns

Joan McGrath is a Toronto Board of Education library consultant.

Although the author is an authority on his subject, and the study of Robert Burns and his work is scholarly and meticulous, the very nature of the man, his life, and his poetry precludes The Laughter of Love from becoming pedantic or solemn. It is, on the contrary, often as robustly funny as a really good Burns Supper speech.

This is the story of a man whose love of life — and of drink and the lassies — inspired poetry the whole world knows (by heart) and loves. This son of a poor farmer probably did more to burnish the image of Scotland worldwide than any other Scot who ever lived.

Every January 25 across the world the “Address to the Haggis” heralds the opening of the Burns supper, from “Surrey to Tierra del Fuego.” Grant, survivor of many a Burns Night, follows the brief meteoric career of the Scots poet who lived only 37 years, yet died leaving Scotland’s richest legacy to the world. “If Sir Walter Scott gave Scotland back her history, Robert Burns gave all men a new idea of themselves as he sang of human nature, with its strengths and its failings, its dignity, its liberty.” Grant draws upon the poet’s work to illustrate every point he makes, in a volume as crammed with pawky Scots humor as his idol’s own verse. Grant’s loving tribute to Burns is further evidence of that which he attributes to the son of Alloway — The Laughter of Love. Illustrated with photos, an itinerary of the Burns country, notes and index.