When Laidlaw was released in 1977 , McIlvanney was known for recently winning the Whitbread Prize with his historical family novel , Docherty , and as a complete departure from that genre .
When Laidlaw was released in 1977 , McIlvanney was surprised many of his readers .
When Laidlaw was released in 1977 , McIlvanney was known for recently winning the Whitbread Prize with his historical family novel , Docherty , and as a complete departure from that genre and surprised many of his readers .