{
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  "site": {
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    "language": "en-US",
    "url": "https://www.bookquiver.com"
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  "formats": "Every page has two versions with the same data: JSON (the page address + .json) and markdown (the page address + .md). Append .json or .md to any `url` in this document.",
  "title": "Gentlemen of the West",
  "subtitle": null,
  "slug": "gentlemen-of-the-west",
  "url": "https://www.bookquiver.com/agnes-owens/gentlemen-of-the-west",
  "json": "https://www.bookquiver.com/agnes-owens/gentlemen-of-the-west.json",
  "markdown": "https://www.bookquiver.com/agnes-owens/gentlemen-of-the-west.md",
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Agnes Owens",
      "slug": "agnes-owens",
      "url": "https://www.bookquiver.com/agnes-owens"
    }
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  "language": "en_US",
  "original_title": null,
  "original_language": null,
  "first_published": "2026-05-07",
  "genres": [
    {
      "code": "FB",
      "heading": "Fiction: literary and general non-genre"
    },
    {
      "code": "FBA",
      "heading": "Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general"
    }
  ],
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  "cover": "https://quivercdn.com/covers/birlinn/agnes-owens/gentlemen-of-the-west_978-18-4697-760-2-d48817bd.webp?v=2026-10-17%2011%3A47%3A13",
  "description": "Gentlemen of the West, Agnes Owens’ debut novel, was first published in 1984 to wide critical acclaim. The novel follows the humorous exploits of Mac, a young bricklayer, who, along with a colourful cast of characters, seeks solace and escape in the convivial atmosphere of the Paxton Arms and the levelling influence of alcohol. Each chapter feels like a self-contained episode, but this engaging novel is a cleverly constructed, coherent narrative that is a darkly humorous portrayal of working-class life. With sharp and inventive language, the novel skilfully balances drama and comedy, making you root for the underdog. 'A moving picture of a hard, surprising world which is forcing a young man to understand it and himself' – Alasdair Gray'Accomplished and resonant and . . . always informed with a comic astringency' – The Scotsman'Simultaneously funny and unflinching . . . an economy of language worthy of Ernest Hemingway or Muriel Spark' – Dani GaravelliPublished to celebrate Agnes Owens' centenary year in 2026.",
  "editions": [
    {
      "title": "Gentlemen of the West",
      "subtitle": null,
      "url": "https://www.bookquiver.com/agnes-owens/gentlemen-of-the-west/9781846977602",
      "publisher": "Birlinn",
      "publisher_series": [],
      "translators": [],
      "medium": "paper",
      "duration_seconds": null,
      "narrators": [],
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      "isbn": "978-18-4697-760-2",
      "pages": 160,
      "published": "2026-05-07",
      "language": "en_US",
      "cover": "https://quivercdn.com/covers/birlinn/agnes-owens/gentlemen-of-the-west_978-18-4697-760-2-d48817bd.webp?v=2026-10-17%2011%3A47%3A13"
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  "other_languages": [],
  "characters": [],
  "chapters": []
}