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Kernow by Ian Gillman
This novel describes a true event; the meeting in World War One of a Cornish Yeoman soldier from Truro riding to war in search of action. Stranded in Flanders, he loses his horse. Being wet for long periods causes Rheumatic Fever. As invasive surgery is not required,he is shunted from Belgium; to France to Britain arriving in Nottingham, he is pronounced dead. A nurse; whose family were from Creetown; Kirkcudbrightshire , spots the body move and has it placed back upon a ward. Against all odds, the soldier lives. A rapport developes, leading to romance; a difficult courtship, his father opposes the union not wishing for his son to marry outside of Cornwall but love overcomes all opposition.
They prosper, with a large number of staff, growing family all appears set fair. Then, stock market crash; and depression, Rheumatic Fever reoccurs. Again she nurses him back to health.
The second world war brings economic success but family sadness. Throughout, you learn about British farming history, village life; the rural and market city experience, meet real characters from all walks and strata of life. You witness their humour, failings, spirituality and struggle during a terrible period of world and national history.
You learn how political decisions impact upon farming, imports and rhetoric are cheap.
Throughout you fell the pull of Kernow, Celtic for Cornwall, as the homeland calls it's distant son.
With artistic licence to create a book,this is the true story of the lives of the authors maternal grandparents.
They prosper, with a large number of staff, growing family all appears set fair. Then, stock market crash; and depression, Rheumatic Fever reoccurs. Again she nurses him back to health.
The second world war brings economic success but family sadness. Throughout, you learn about British farming history, village life; the rural and market city experience, meet real characters from all walks and strata of life. You witness their humour, failings, spirituality and struggle during a terrible period of world and national history.
You learn how political decisions impact upon farming, imports and rhetoric are cheap.
Throughout you fell the pull of Kernow, Celtic for Cornwall, as the homeland calls it's distant son.
With artistic licence to create a book,this is the true story of the lives of the authors maternal grandparents.
Paperback
First published December 3, 2007
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November 2, 2024
Setting: Cornwall (Kernow in Cornish); 1908-1960's.
This book is described as a novel but it isn't really. Rather it is a biography/memoir of the author's grandparents, Edwin and Iona Trevelyn and a social history of those years, including the effects of two World Wars, both on the families involved and on the agricultural industry that those families were involved in. The fact that the author intended it to be a novel perhaps explains the use of a fictitious name for the town near which Edwin and Iona operated a farm, but this seemed a bit ridiculous when all the other place names appear to be genuine. There were some interesting elements in the story and things I wasn't aware of but, detracting from my enjoyment was the extensive rant against plans by the British Government to enter the European Economic Community and why this was such a bad idea (even if it was!). There were also errors in punctuation throughout the book, including lack of apostrophes where appropriate, and the use of semi-colons instead of commas at times. So, overall, only a 3-star read for me - 6/10.
This book is described as a novel but it isn't really. Rather it is a biography/memoir of the author's grandparents, Edwin and Iona Trevelyn and a social history of those years, including the effects of two World Wars, both on the families involved and on the agricultural industry that those families were involved in. The fact that the author intended it to be a novel perhaps explains the use of a fictitious name for the town near which Edwin and Iona operated a farm, but this seemed a bit ridiculous when all the other place names appear to be genuine. There were some interesting elements in the story and things I wasn't aware of but, detracting from my enjoyment was the extensive rant against plans by the British Government to enter the European Economic Community and why this was such a bad idea (even if it was!). There were also errors in punctuation throughout the book, including lack of apostrophes where appropriate, and the use of semi-colons instead of commas at times. So, overall, only a 3-star read for me - 6/10.
Displaying 1 of 1 review