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nattygsmith's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful book of stories about a small English town that stays small, and the pull that landscapes from childhood can exert on us all through our lives.
eowyns_helmet's review against another edition
5.0
If you haven't yet become a Gardam acolyte -- let me induct you. Gardam is a writing genius at the level of Hillary Mantel or Norman Maclean. Utterly unflinching, always surprising, a voice you know within the first two lines. This is a delightful set of linked stories, with two boys -- farmer Bell and cityboy Harry -- at the center. The characters around them -- the Egg-witch, Kendal the chimney sweep -- are so well drawn. Just spectacular
leilawoodhouse's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
blevins's review against another edition
3.0
I'd not read anything by Jane Gardam before The Hollow Land and this short book of hers from 1981 was a nice introduction via linked stories about a couple of families in some part of rural England. I'm still not sure where it was set. I like the writing--very direct and seemingly simple. In my opinion, simple is harder to pull-off than going full-tilt flowery. Only thing I wish this had more of was an arc but those aren't really in these kinds of linked, vignette styled books.
lucyblack's review
5.0
This book is the sweetest thing. It is a collection of short tales that follow the lives of two men Bell and Harry and their beautiful, uncomplicated friendship. Set in Cumbria, the hollow land refers to mined land and the two farms that sit upon it, Bell's working family farm and Harry's family's holiday house, Light Trees. I loved each of these stories and couldn't pick a favorite although I particularly like the ones that mention gypsies and the ones that feature the families coming together. Gardam is master with rhythm and dialogue, I laughed so much over the discussion prior to the celebrity coming to town. It's brilliant the way the children speak so broad and the adults try but fail to stop them. When modern life is too fast and everything is too much I strongly recommend this book (with tea and biscuits), it will make everything better.
whats_margaret_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Jane Gardam is good, but either I read this too fast or the book is just differently paced enough from her other work that I wasn't as in love with it as her other novels. Still, Gardam does a good job writing a novel.