Josh Lawton

by Melvyn Bragg

JOSH LAWTON, a young Cumbrian orphan and farm worker, is an exceptionally good man. Strong and athletic, he is trained to be a fell runner by Cedric, a garrulous ex-soldier who takes Josh under his wing. But Cedric is alienated when Josh falls in love with Maureen, a worldly girl from the neighbouring town, marries her and fathers a child. However, the quiet and simple life that Josh loves does not satisfy Maureen who seeks excitement back home in the arms of her former lover, a local bully. The betrayal brings Cedric back into Josh's life, eager to discredit the woman who had usurped him. It also leads to a climax that is both inevitable and Josh, who hates fighting, is drawn into a battle with Maureen's lover and is killed. Cedric, filled with revenge, can only turn his knife on himself. The novel's tragic ending is both a warning against simplicity and a cry for its presence in everything.

Paperback

First published July 1, 1972

About the author

Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, FRSL, FRTS (born 6 October 1939) is an English author, broadcaster and media personality who, aside from his many literary endeavours, is perhaps most recognised for his work on The South Bank Show.

Bragg is a prolific novelist and writer of non-fiction, and has written a number of television and film screenplays. Some of his early television work was in collaboration with Ken Russell, for whom he wrote the biographical dramas The Debussy Film (1965) and Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1967), as well as Russell's film about Tchaikovsky, The Music Lovers (1970). He is president of the National Academy of Writing. His 2008 novel, Remember Me is a largely autobiographical story.

He is also a Vice President of the Friends of the British Library, a charity set up to provide funding support to the British Library.

Reviews

[Steve Chilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bragg is a strange one. Picked the book up because it was set in Cumbria and main character was described as a fell runner (OK it was 'recommended' on FRA forum). Well the Cumbria setting worked well but the runner bit was a let-down, he trained for a while and gave it up for the girl. Didn't explore any of the potential for a running narrative. In fact the characters were quite well developed but the plot have something of a soap opera feel to it.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very early but quite evocative of time and place.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

ONLY ONE DAY READ. VERY VERY GOOD BUT VERY SAD.