The Bonds of Earth

by E.V. Thompson

In 1837 when rich deposits of copper ore are discovered, a huge influx of out-of-work miners flock to the area from Cornwall’s far west, bringing with them problems alien to the hardworking but easygoing countrymen. Young Goran Trebartha, whose working life is divided between two farms, finds himself caught between the seemingly incompatible cultures, his problems added to when life is further complicated by the arrival of a mine captain and all his female family. Avarice and intrigue, the vicissitudes of farming life and the sheer desperation of hungry miners all add to bewildering changes that will irrevocably alter the course of Goran’s life.

Genres: Historical Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published December 28, 2012

About the author

aka James Munro (Not this James Munro).

E V Thompson was born in London and spent nine years in the Navy before joining Bristol police. He moved to Hong Kong, then Rhodesia and had over 200 stories published before returning to England to become a full-time award-winning writer.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all his books, a great read! I think I've read them all now; what joy his writings brought to many of us

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it difficult to engage with this book. All the plot details were provided in emotionless discourse between characters I found it difficult to imagine having such open conversations.

Potential trigger: dog death

[Lyn Stapleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love E.V. Thompson's books. Most of them are set in Cornwall in the mid nineteenth century. Very simple stories and easy to read. This was set in a new mining community in Cornwall's west and tells the story of young Goran Trebartha, a farmer, and the affect that the influx of miners has on the small farming community in the area. A good read, but I thought the ending was too abrupt.

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

loved the book but the abrupt ending ruined it for me.

[Manning · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I found this enjoyable I also found the plot to be too simple. Nevertheless, the historic references to the past and how people adjusted to changes in their ways of life was appealing. Goran Trebartha, Cornwall, mining, farming.