For the first Scots Whay Hae! Podcast of 2025 Ali caught up with writer and former journalist Peter Mohan to talk about his book Cheers, Govanhill, in the appropriate setting of Queen's Park Cafe (which features between the covers numerous times).
The two talk about the origins of the book and the blog which it's taken from, how it started, and how it developed, the history of the area, Peter's personal connections, and how chronicling the changes in Govanhill, and Glasgow more widely, helped Peter better understand the people as well as the place.
Peter also explains his style of writing, his influences - particularly James Kelman - the balance between fact and fiction, and the feedback he has had to the book, and to the blog.
Cheers, Govanhill is a great example of how by concentrating on the personal and the specific you can comment on universal themes, and it was such a pleasure to talk to Peter about this fascinating, and hugely entertaining, book. And thanks to Queen's Park Cafe for being such welcoming hosts.
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