'A novel which has something to say and which says it well and truthfully' Evening Standard

In the shadow of Hadrian's Wall, two young men chafe at the constraints of rural life and yearn to break free from the courses set for them: John Foster, driven hard by his tyrannical, ambitious father on their tenant farm, and Arthur Langley, reluctant inheritor of his father's waning estate. Though class has long kept their neighbouring families apart, the pair form an intense friendship - until John makes the mistake of falling for Arthur's mercurial sister.

'The effect of the book is massive. Characterisations are loving, deep and perceptive' Sunday Times

'His talent is formidable' Sunday Times

About the Author

Melvyn Bragg is a writer and broadcaster whose first novel, For Want of a Nail, was published in 1965. His novels since include The Maid of Buttermere, The Soldier's Return, A Son of War, Credo and Now is the Time, which won the Parliamentary Book Award for fiction in 2016. His books have also been awarded the Time/Life Silver Pen Award, the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and the WHSmith Literary Award, and have been longlisted three times for the Booker Prize (including the Lost Man Booker Prize).
He has also written several works of non-fiction, including The Adventure of English and The Book of Books about the King James Bible.
He lives in London and Cumbria.

Reviews
There is no question of promise about him. He has arrived. His talent is formidable and is planted, I am convinced, in a deep earth from which he will draw even greater riches. The effect of the book is massive. Characterisations are loving, deep and perceptive. * Sunday Times *
This is a novel which has something to say and which says it well and truthfully. * Evening Standard *
Melvyn Bragg has created a world from his imagination which is highly charged and shot through with beauties which can reasonably be called poetic. * Scotsman *
A deep moody masterpiece of atmosphere and character * She *
Bragg has a very sure touch with his characters: they live' * Anthony Burgess *



Book Information
ISBN 9780340511138
Author Melvyn Bragg
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Sceptre
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 200g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 130mm * 22mm