Mixing The Colours Anthology – A Review By Claire L. Heuchan

Mixing The Colours: Women Speaking About Sectarianism is a vivid collection of short stories and poetry, each one offering a perspective on women’s experiences of sectarianism that is both unique and universal. Published by Glasgow Women’s Library, the anthology provides an extraordinary insight into the ways in which sectarianism touches the lives of women across Scotland. Sectarianism is often trivialised, or dismissed as being purely a product of football rivalry. This collection of powerful narratives overturns all such assumptions, showing the true extent to which sectarianism has pervaded Scottish society.

From a young girl who simply doesn’t comprehend the meaning of sectarian slurs, to a woman contemplating the hold the Catholic/Protestant divide has over her elderly father, Mixing The Colours shows that sectarianism is a problem spanning across generations. Through cutting short fledgling friendships and romances, sectarianism is shown as a barrier to relationships of every variety. Sectarianism, like all other forms of prejudice, serves as a cypher for the very worst of human behaviour.

“It is not the differences between Catholic and Protestant that stand out in this collection, but rather the similarities.”

Yet, in spite of the heavy theme, Mixing The Colours never fails to entertain. Its pages capture the full flavour of Glasgow life, the richness of Scottish culture. There are strong moments of human connection, all the more poignant for the prejudice they overcome. Neither ‘side’ is vilified. It is not the differences between Catholic and Protestant that stand out in this collection, but rather the similarities.

Vibrant characters and deftly woven plots enable Mixing The Colours to fully capture its readers’ imagination. The poetry adds to the optimism of the anthology, allowing readers to imagine a future for Scotland that is free from sectarianism. Mixing The Colours has the power to shock. Its darker moments are balanced with gallas Glasgow humour. This anthology will stay with the reader long after the final page has been closed.

Claire L. Heuchan

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If you would like to find out more about the Mixing The Colours: Women Speaking About Sectarianism project, please contact rachel.thain-gray@womenslibrary.org.uk. 

We encourage any women who wish to review Mixing The Colours for the Glasgow Women’s Library website to get in touch. If you would like to apply for a review copy, please contact rebecca.jones@womenslibrary.org.uk.