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 final extract, Chris receives devastating news from Chae, a neighbour, home on leave from the Front, who had spoken to her husband, Ewan, just before his death. Though awful to hear, it allows her to grieve properly, and sheds light upon Ewan's terrible behaviour before he left for France.

Terence Davies's eagerly anticipated film of Lewis Grassic Gibbon's classic novel had its UK premiere at the London Film Festival last 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