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160 pages. 260 grams. Gollancz Yellow Jacket. This book is in good ex-library condition with associated markings and attachments. Library cards are still in place and no borrowers withdrew this book so other than the usual markings to endpapers book is in pretty good shape. The dust jacket is in good condition currently enclosed in clear library protective sleeve. 'Early in 1966 we published "They Carried the Sword", Janet Hitchman's story of the Dr. Barnardo movement. The Sunday Times described it as "a tremendously thrilling story, vividly told", and it had a particular authenticity and appeal because the author had herself been a Barnardo child. Now she has turned to fiction and, setting the action amongst a group of Quakers, has once again used her own experience and special insight to write a fascinating and unusual book. It is the story of a woman seen through the eyes of the people who knew her, and who, while thinking about her, recall their own lives as well. The occasion is her funeral service - a Quaker Meeting for Burial, at which, according to Quaker custom, anyone may rise and say something about the departed They are gathered together to remember Mildred Moore, who, dynamic, imperious, once beautiful, has died after a lifetime devoted to the service of others. Her brother Alfred, 85 now, is there with his dried-up wife Letitia. And Alice Day, Mildred's closest friend; and Charles Fox Mansfield has come too, the only man Mildred ever loved. Sidney Carter has travelled from America to speak about his work with her in Russia during the twenties; Idwal Morgan and Jane Clarkson recall her years at the Quaker settlement in a Welsh mining village. In the early chapters she is shown in her girlhood, an unpredictable child with a will of her own. Alice Day recalls her at boarding school rebelling against "Rules for the sake of rules". Thomas Hinds remembers 1914 and the outbreak of the war that was to affect the lives of so many present in such dramatic ways. The purpose of her life, Mildred felt, was to work for others, and this she richly did - in Russia during the post-revolution famine, in a Welsh mining community during the depression. Towards the end of her time in Wales Charles's wife died, and Charles, to Mildred's delight, came to work at the Settlement too. She still loved him; and Jane Clarkson, who had joined them at the Settlement, was in love with him also. When he was injured in a riot provoked by some fascists, and cruelly rejected the efforts of both women to minister to him, the antagonism between the women exploded, and Jane told Mildred some home truths: "You claim to understand everyone, to look on us all with love. You've got love and understanding enough for people you don't know, who don't mean anything or matter to you.Are you in this work for the love of God, or for the love of Mildred Moore?" A question which can have no answer, for who can unravel the complexities of the human heart? And Mildred is a very complex person. This portrait of her, seen through the eyes and in the memories of those who loved and admired and resented her, is most convincing, and the story, which spans a century, has a score of major characters and a background - the life of the Quaker community in and around Norwich - that is rich and full of colour. With three remarkable and diverse books now to her credit - for, in addition to this novel and "They Carried the Sword", her autobiography, "King Of The Barbareens", reached a wide audience as a Peacock Book - Janet Hitchman is establishing a firm reputation. This is no surprise, for in addition to natural ability she has a very unusual degree of sincerity, and the gift of choosing absorbing, out of the ordinary themes. In this her first novel, she has so much to say, and, in the saying of it, is continuously interesting and entertaining.' 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Fiction, Modern First Editions.; Pictures of this item not already disp. N° de réf. du vendeur 001013
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