One of the most important Scottish novels of the 20th century, Sunset Song follows the coming of age of its heroine Chris Guthrie in rural Aberdeenshire. Set at the beginning of the last century, the novel is a beautifully wrought depiction of a rural community coming to terms with a rapidly changing modern world and the devastating impact of the Great War.

In this extract, Chris and her young son look forward to the return of Ewan, husband and father, from army training. But he's a changed man, brutalised by his experiences and frightened by the prospect of going to the Front. A poignant, searingly honest examination of how the war fractured families and communities.

Terence Davies's eagerly anticipated film of Lewis Grassic Gibbon's classic novel had its UK premiere at the London Film Festival this week and will go on general release at the beginning of December.

Reader: Hannah Donaldson

Writer: Lewis Grassic Gibbon

Abridger / Producer: Kirsteen Cameron. Show less