Marchwood

As "Marchwood" begins. The reader is immediately confronted with the reality of life for some unfortunates like Mary Nolan, thrust into an uncaring world in the years when the Industrial Revolution was busy chewing up the remnants of the British agricultural system. London is a jungle, and often, for the poor, the choice of aspiration was to become prey or predator. Modern fiction demands a measure of trust in the author, and perhaps historical novels demand even more. The challenge is ably met here by Rosalind Conway. It is a tale of ordinary people in Essex, one small corner of a country, when the ground seems to be moving daily beneath their feet. Seth is a gruff drover/horsetrader, driven primarily by the desire for more cash, while Mary, his partner in crime; strong, loyal and hard, is all he needs to provide him with sons, daughters and a home to which he can return when he is done womanising. With close to no education at all, the Marchwood duo has to react daily to circumstances that can deal out survival or oblivion, and they do it so well, more often than not outside the rules. How refreshing it was for me, to read a new work based in the past, that feels like it was written in the past. The descriptions ring true as accurate testimony, the dialogue is frighteningly direct. Pain, deprivation and love are dealt with, each as a part of the other. Via horse-theft, burglary, pick-pocketing, prostitution and war, there is a remarkable tenderness in the relating of the story of the Marchwood family. This is gem of social history.

From sordid and uncompromising beginnings, Mary Marchwood is the anchor of the story, coping with the trials, false promises, dreams and failures of petty criminality. The union of Mary and Seth, two vivid personalities, produces a force to be reckoned with. As Seth and Mary grind their way upwards, their offspring muddy the clarity of their father’s schemes with their burgeoning independence. Marchwood is a book about truth, about the acceptance of flaws in people and the imperfections of many locations in which they live. Writing cinematically in third -person-present tense, the author puts the reader right inside the frame, witnessing the unavoidable horrors of living on the furthest edge of Victorian life. This is a tight, no-nonsense account of a straight-forward, brusque, rogue, Seth Marchwood, whose path through life is fuelled by want, and faith in himself. Educational and entertaining in its colourful but hard setting, it is a worthy book with engaging though not always pleasant characters. From rough beginnings, redemption seems to be one of the few graces offering reward.

Characters rooted in the harsh realities of their time spanning mid 19th century to mid 20th. Interesting family saga. A study in criminality driven by poverty and desire to avoid the workhouse, at any price. A really enjoyable read.

Looking forward to reading this book.

Sounds very interesting,can't wait to read the book