On Angel Mountain

Angel Mountain Saga #1

by Brian John

This is the first novel in the best-selling 8-volume Angel Mountain Saga, about the life and times of the incorrigible, passionate and very imperfect heroine Martha Morgan. In 1796, Martha becomes the mistress of the struggling Plas Ingli estate, at only eighteen years old. She is pregnant and suicidal. Though she loves her husband David dearly, she is desperately lonely in a strange house, and her quick wit and cutting humour make her as many enemies as friends. There are mysteries surrounding the great fire that devastated the estate but Martha's questions about it remain unanswered. Nobody else seems to realize that their haughty servant Moses Lloyd, the disinherited son of the local squire, is not as trustworthy as the rest of the family would like to think. The local gentry consider that Martha is far too clever for her own good, and indeed it seems inevitable that she will fall into a trap which is designed to send her to the gallows. How can she possibly escape On Angel Mountain is a gripping tale in the tradition of Winston Graham's Poldark. The world which it portrays is very different from that of Jane Austen -- West Wales in the Regency period was a rougher, tougher place, where there was little respect for the law and where status had to be earned, the hard way. The story is written in the form of a diary, in the words of Martha herself.

Genres: Historical Fiction

328 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2001

About the author

Brian John (born 1940) is the author of the historical-fiction series Angel Mountain Saga (8 volumes).

Brian was born in Carmarthen, Wales. He studied at Haverfordwest Grammar School and at Jesus College, Oxford, where he read Geography from 1959 to 1962 and went on to obtain a D Phil for a study of the Ice Age in Wales. He worked as a field scientist in Antarctica and spent eleven years as a Geography Lecturer in Durham University. He has travelled widely in the Arctic, Antarctic and Scandinavia. Since 1977 he has made his living as a writer and publisher.

Brian is also actively involved in environmental and community organizations; in 1980 he founded the West Wales Eco Centre in Newport and is one of the leaders of the community group "GM Free Cymru." He is the author of a number of articles and more than 80 books, including university texts, walking guides, coffee table glossies, and books of popular science. His Glaciers and Landscape (written with David Sugden), a university textbook, remained in print as a geomorphology classic for almost 30 years. He also writes on topics of local interest related to Wales: tourist guides, books of local jokes, walkers’ handbooks, and titles on local folklore and traditions.

In recent years Brian has done radio and TV work, and was featured in the BBC TV programme called "The Man from Angel Mountain". His children's book entitled "The Strange Affair of the Ethiopian Treasure Chest"was voted by children as the Gold Award winner in the 2012 Wishing Shelf Book Awards. His most recent novel is "Acts of God", published in November 2014. It is Cold War "chiller" set in East Greenland.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burn historical novel set in Pembrokeshire near Newport, and told through the rediscovered diary entries of Martha Morgan a 18 year old bride. A slow burn, with many short chapters detailing a year in the life of a north Pembrokeshire farm/village in 1797. It also has an overarching plot based around a developing family feud with Moses ( a hired worker and ex gentleman).

Particularly enjoyable as I read this while staying in Trefisheg cottage near Strumble Head and walking the coastal path towards Fishguard and Aber Bach, so many events such as the French invasion were on our doorstep.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, my goodness! I found On Angel Mountain slow and tedious, and nearly gave up on numerous occasions except I wanted to find out how it ended - the last part of the novel was certainly the most exciting. While I did admire the main character, Martha, for her strength and endurance, and enjoyed the descriptions of the Welsh countryside, I couldn't get past the pacing of this book.

I have also discovered that this was the first book in a series of eight! Suffice to say, I won't be bothering with any more.

[Andrea Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend who knew I was interested in the Welsh language, history and culture. I fell in love with Mistress Martha Morgan very early on in the story. Not only is it an exciting read but also rich in historical detail, folklore and culture. The descriptive passages are beautifully written by someone who obviously knows and loves the area. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[s a pengelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read!

If you have a love of history you will be well and truly hooked by this incredible story. I was eager to bed every night in order to read, trying to ration myself and failing, I read into the small hours and have not enjoyed another book as much for some time and I am a prolific reader. Guts, glory, tragedy and triumph. This book has it all. Thank you Brian John.

[Mrs Barbara Guard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read full of romance, disaster and intrigue

I loved this book and have just read it for the second time. Living in Pembrokeshire meant that many of the places are familiar, even the fictitious ones! Brian John has clearly carefully researched the social history of the time and made much of the work believable.
I look forward to reading the other 7 novels in the saga.

[Elaine McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my normal read, wouldn't have picked it up by read it with my local book club, and really enjoyed it, set locally to where I leave. Had by heart in my mouth towards the end.

[Michael Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and proceeded to read the entire series. The chracter of Martha Morgan is a little improbable but her incredible strength is what endures and makes the series possible and so is entirely forgivable. It is written in a diary format but Martha is the type of person that thinks deeply and empathises, giving other characters (even her enemies) plenty of meat.
Her turning up in historical events (rather like the hundred year old man) is written a little tongue in cheek and is very entertaining.
As well as being enjoyable the story (and indeed, the series) is very informative as to Welsh history, and along with detailed geographical description gives a real sense of place.
There are many other well developed characters that add to the texture of the story and local traditions provide many situations in which they develop.
I did sometimed feel the story was tinged with a bit too much tragedy particularly if it seemed gratuitous. Overall though, a thoroughly reccomended series.

[Beni Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I come from this part of the world and I think this is an excellent portrait of the West Walian landscape and community. Not too keen on historical novels generally but this is a great yarn and the narrative is well handled and (by and large) believable. The guy who wrote it comes from the area and clearly has a deep connection with this part of the world. This comes across in the novel.
Also, when he first wrote it, he published it himself and took copies round local bookshops in the back of his car. Later it got taken up by a publisher (Transworld I think?) and there are several follow up novels which have also sold well.

[Pauline Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical novel and part of a saga beginning in 1796. I noticed it in a bookshop in Newport, Pembrokeshire, the county where I grew up from the age of 10. I was drawn to it because it is set around Carningli Mountain near Newport where all my husbands ancestors are from. I loved reading about the mountain I have climbed many times and all the surrounding places I have visited over the years and know so well.A good read for historical novel fans!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book that was recommended to me and it was good. Set in a diary format following a young lady, Martha Morgan, at a farm in West Wales. Very good characterisations of Welsh characters set in 1797. Loved some of the names like Lewis Legal! Overall a good story, and interesting to read how the main character grows up over the course of the book. Also interesting to read about local customs and traditions at that period in time.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the off and have read all the series. Can't recommend them highly enough, for sheer beauty of the place, the magical qualities of the tale, the vividly portrayed characters and the historical setting, which made me feel they were all real people involved in the unfolding drama.

[M_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother-in-law sent this book (first of 6) to me from Wales. It's a wonderful bit of historical fiction, complete with mystery, romance, and rich characters. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

[David Pike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good use of local topography and social history. A little ponderous in terms of narrative development and characterisation.