Sharp through the hawthorn

by Sybil Marshall

The ancient East Anglian village of Old Swithinford had always seemed to be a haven against trouble. But since middle-aged widow Fran came back to live there three years ago there have been plenty of changes. Fran and William scandalize certain established villagers when they set up home together.

Genres: Fiction

632 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Born Sybil Mary Edwards, she was educated at Ramsey Heights Elementary School, 1919-1923, Ramsey Grammar School
1924-1932, Exhall Grange Emergency Training College, Coventry, 1948-1949 and New Hall, University of Cambridge, 1960-1962. At Cambridge she gained English Hons. Class 2:1 (Tripos completed in 2 years).

She became a teacher and lecturer in primary education and wrote a variety of books on education as well as a collection of fiction and memoirs.

Reviews

[Elisabeth Ahlefeldt-Laurvig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every bit as good as "A Nest of Magpies".
Great character descriptions of the 60'ies and 70'ies - a time when so many changes took place and the old world had to accept new ways of living together.
A treat to read this series of fenland chronicles - moments to be treasured.

[Gina Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book and totally gripping.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story of country people in an English village.

[Anne Kiely · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great follow-on from A nest of magpies but could also be read without reading that first.