A review by lucyblack
The Hollow Land by Jane Gardam

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.