Precious Bane

5 replies

OrmIrian · 17/12/2007 11:57

by Mary Webb, Just finished this. Got it from the library purely by chance as I sort of recognised the title, and it was a gem of a book. Like Hardy but not quite so bloody miserable - although it tried. Really enjoyable.

Anyone else read it?

OP posts:

Onlyaphase · 17/12/2007 11:59

Yes, read it for the first time when I was 17, and it has sort of "lived" with me ever since. Fantastic book.

Kathyate6mincepies · 17/12/2007 12:01

Read it years ago, thanks for reminding me of it Orm - I ought to reread it.
There was a pretty good tv version with Janet McTeer as Prue IIRC.

Kathyate6mincepies · 17/12/2007 12:02

It's meant to be one of the books that inspired Cold Comfort Farm, isn't it?

Original poster

OrmIrian · 17/12/2007 12:15

It did make me think of Cold Comfort Farm a little. But no matter how I tried I couldn't see the farm itself as anything but idyllic. She might have struggled and suffered but her love for the place was greater.

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filthymindedvixen · 03/01/2008 17:06

My absolute favourite book!
Is Kester Woodseaves the most fanciable male hero ever?
I love the Way Mary Webb's characters are so bound up in their habitat. I read it almost every year and it makes me cry every time.

I'm now trying to get hold of a copy of Gone To Earth which isn't as good (very Tess of the D'Urbervilles) but good escapism ayway. I think it's out of print

Flip