Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #209836 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Review
After this year's very contemporary chiller (The Deadly Eurasian) Mr. Cordell returns to nineteenth century Wales, the scene of this earlier Rape of a Fair Country, to trace the dissolution of a close and resilient family eventually destroyed by the violent labor conflicts in the mining villages. The Evans family for some time after the mother's death manages to stay together, with adequate food, shelter and some prospects for the future, as the father, Mostyn, finally owns and operates his own coal-carrying barge on the canals. But the oppressive practices of the mine owners, exploiters of underpaid, overworked employees, of women and children, plus violent competition among union supporters themselves, create a climate of deadly rivalry and tension. Stability is a luxury. Seen through the eyes of Bryn, the youngest Evans son, are moments of terror but also within a boisterous household, joy - a bright lively trip on the Evans' barge to a new home; evenings with Shakespeare declaimed by an older sister (while bombs are tested in the basement); weddings and courtings. In spite of the deaths and desertions, the terrible strike, starvation and the horror of mine disasters, Bryn at the close looks forward to the coming generation and a new day for his countrymen. Folk travail and high spirits above and below green valleys - with a strong flavor of leek, which takes some getting used to. (Kirkus Reviews)

Synopsis
Mostyn Evans and his family, miners turned bargees, wage a glorious but hopeless struggle against the rapacious coalmasters, Irish navvies, the ravages of cholera, and the bullying legal unions.

Customer Reviews

A wonderful finale to Cordells Welsh trilogy
The third of Cordells original Welsh trilogy will not disappoint. With many new characters and some familiar faces, we return to the harsh times of turn of the century Wales. Arguably the best of the three, this book although at times tragic manages to convey the spirit, the pride and the humour of the Welsh people. We see the industrial revolution reach its climax as imigrants from Ireland, France and Spain flock into the docks in search of work, and the livelyhood of the local bargees is threatened by the railroads. Again many scenes and characters maticulously researched, adds an air of realism to this magical book.