Reviews and recommendations - A Dynasty of Dragons by Doreen Hopwood

Review by Mary Irvine

Local author, Doreen Hopwood, launched her debut novel ‘A Dynasty of Dragons’ at Alexandria Library, attracting an audience of over 40.

In conversation with fellow author, Mary Irvine, Doreen spoke of how her love of writing developed from the less than helpful primary school teacher to writing short stories, eventually concentrating on poetry.

Doreen joined a writers’ group where she became friends with Agnes Owen who introduced her to the ‘Third Eye’ meetings in Glasgow. Here she met such poets as Tom Leonard, Alasdair Gray and Edwin Morgan, long before they became famous.

She co-wrote scripts, with Margaret Higgens, for the ‘Day Oot Drama Company’ and was asked, by Agnes Owens’ son if she would mind giving an interview to a student writing a thesis on Agnes Owns.

The seed of what was to become ‘A Dynasty of Dragons’ was sown when the ‘Pen and Ink’ group of writers was given the word ‘garden’ as a stimulus.
Doreen wrote a short story and the character Molly arrived.

The novel eventually came into being, taking six years to complete.

The result is a well-crafted story, written in perfect English – unfortunately not always the case these days - and beautifully produced with a stunning front cover.

The book is a magical journey reflecting Doreen’s love of Celtic myth and legend and plots Molly’s journey between two contrasting worlds. A must for anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure.

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