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Hailed as a literary luminary surpassing Thomas Hardy, Mary Webb crafts a mesmerising tale in 'Precious Bane'. Set against the rugged backdrop of Shropshire, this novel follows Prudence Sarn, a woman born with a cleft palate—her titular 'precious bane'. Shunned by her superstitious neighbours and branded a witch, Prue seeks solace in the untamed countryside, fostering a profound connection with nature.
Amidst her seclusion, Prue nurtures a secret longing for love, harbouring an impossible infatuation with Kester Woodseaves, the local weaver. Meanwhile, her brother Gideon's ruthless pursuit of wealth entangles them both in a web of tragedy. When a vengeful act results in Prue facing murder accusations, only Kester, who recognises her true worth, stands between her and the wrath of her accusers.
This captivating narrative, which clinched the 1926 Prix Femina Vie Heureuse Prize, enchants readers with its timeless truths and lyrical prose. Webb's quiet genius shines through, establishing her as a voice for Shropshire akin to Hardy for Wessex or Brontë for Yorkshire. 'Precious Bane' stands as a testament to Webb's remarkable, albeit tragically short-lived, literary career.
Book ISBN: | 9780349015644 |
Book Weight: | 268g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’