'Brighter and better than Thomas Hardy . . . a marvellous writer' Eloise Millar, Guardian
Prudence Sarn was born with a cleft palate, her 'precious bane', for which she is persecuted as a witch by her superstitious neighbours. Hiding from daily ridicule, she takes refuge in the wild Shropshire countryside, developing a profound love of nature. Furtively, Prue longs to be loved and harbours a hopeless passion for Kester Woodseaves, the weaver.
Prue's brother, Gideon, is engaged to her only friend, but in his ambition for wealth at any cost, he incurs the wrath of his would-be father-in-law whose act of vengeance results in Prue being accused of murder. Only Kester, who has perceived her true worth, can defend her from the wrath of her accusers.
Winner of the 1926 Prix Femina Vie Heureuse Prize, Precious Bane is a novel that enchants with its beauty and its timeless truths.
'With the publication of Precious Bane, a substantial readership came to respect Mary Webb's quiet genius . . . When she died at the age of 46, literature lost a voice that promised to speak for Shropshire as poignantly as Thomas Hardy had spoken for Wessex, Emily Bronte for Yorkshire - New York Times
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
ISBN: 9780349015644
Number of pages: 336
Weight: 262 g
Dimensions: 196 x 126 x 24 mm
Brighter and better than Thomas Hardy . . . a marvellous writer - Eloise Millar, Guardian
Mary Webb need fear no comparison with any writer who has attempted to capture the soul of nature in words - John Buchan
With the publication of Precious Bane, a substantial readership came to respect Mary Webb's quiet genius; and it is for this country classic that she has been remembered ever since. When she died at the age of 46, literature lost a voice that promised to speak for Shropshire as poignantly as Thomas Hardy had spoken for Wessex, Emily Bronte for Yorkshire - New York Times
[Webb] was a great mystic and a master of both "inscape" and landscape. Any dull afternoon in London is lifted by being transported to the Mary Webb country of the Shropshire hills and the Welsh borderland - Mail on Sunday
Mary Webb need fear no comparison with any writer who has attempted to capture the soul of nature in words - JOHN BUCHAN
[Webb] was a great mystic and a master of both "inscape" and landscape. Any dull afternoon in London is lifted by being transported to the Mary Webb country of the Shropshire hills and the Welsh borderland. - MAIL ON SUNDAY
This is my desert Island book, this is the book I will save from a burning building and my favourite book EVER! This a combination of Thomas Hardy and Charlotte Bronte.
It deserves much more recognition and wider...
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I thought this was a great book but just two thoughts to share: Firstly, I think the comparison with Thomas Hardy is misleading and a dishonest way of attracting purchasers. It's like Hardy in so far as it's... More
Kurde is encouraged me to read this book. I am so grateful it really is worth reading. The writing style and observations lead one into another world - may not be the happiest of worlds but that is life. Go on... More
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