The Quickening Ground

by Hayden Gabriel

Cornwall 1886. In a turbulent new marriage, Claira - a talented violinist - struggles to balance her creative drive against the conformist expectations of her husband, Munro, a farmer of strong Methodist persuasion, who is both enchanted by and fearful of his wife's passionate nature.

Cornwall 1986. The newly arrived Claire - a painter - and her family have moved from boom-time London to allow her husband, Howard, to expand his property business. Claire has fallen in love with the crumbling farmhouse, Trethenna, while Howard still feels the pull of the city. As her own creativity develops, Claire's chance discovery of a nineteenth century painting from the local Newlyn School brings her life more closely in parallel with Claira's.

432 pages, Paperback

First published February 8, 2002

Reviews

[Giuliana Fenwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtakingly beautiful writing , particularly the growing love between Munro and Claira. I sat for a long time when I finished this story just full of feeling and emotion that I could barely contain and feeling such an immense sadness at how part of that story ended. I've just ordered two more Hayden gabriel books which I cannot wait to receive !!! And to think I bought this one for 20 pence from a charity shop ..... I have now discovered another top favourite author ! This lady writes so beautifully and I hope she never ever stops !

[noor x · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTICE: This is the same book as "Where The Light Remains." Just a different title. I really liked this book. (And not just because it's written by my lecturer). The style and form brings immediate picturesque images of the end of the 19th Century set against the rugged nature of landscape overtime. The lifestyle and choices that people made at the end of both centuries (19th & 20th) is beautifully brought to life. I felt connected to the two protagonists through the descriptive language Gabriel uses. I especially liked the 1889 and Claira's chapters. It was very reminiscent. I recommend you read this.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fantastic read... a two-way story, split into two time frames - one set in the present, one set in the past... The present storyline features a thirty-something single woman, contemplating life, and enjoying persuing her art. She stumbles across a painting that tells a story of a young woman, an accomplished violin player, and her marriage to a wealthy man. Being an art lover and a violin enthusiast, I was delighted that these hobbies were entwined in the story. That aside, it really is a good read, a rich story of two strong women!