Larksleve

Patteran trilogy #1

by Wendorf P

Larksleve a novel [Hardcover] Patricia Wendorf

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

350 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1986

Reviews

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Larksleve about 25 years ago but I love it so much that I return to it whenever I feel the need to lose myself in the pages of a familiar friend. There is a lyrical quality to the author's descriptions of 19th rural Somerset. She portrays a way of life that rewards hard work, thrift and plain living with a comfortable home and enough to eat but is merciless in the face of weakness or failure.

Interwoven with the life of farmer's daughter Eliza Greypaull is that of Meridiana (Meri) Loveridge, a young Romany girl who forms an uncertain friendship with Eliza. Although Meri enjoys much greater freedom than Eliza whose future is ordained by her parents, her liberty comes at a price.

Larksleve is a compelling family saga and the knowledge that it was inspired by the author's own family history adds to my enjoyment of it. It is the first in the Patteran trilogy, the other titles being Blanche and Bye Bye Blackbird, both of which are very much worth reading. For me, however, Larksleve is the cream of the crop!

[Winny Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story very well researched, if you like to hear about life in the west country in Victorian England it's definitely a must. It does sometimes feel a bit like a history lesson but there are plenty of good plot twists and turns to keep you interested and wanting to know what happens next. I couldn't put it down.

[Shell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This particular novel was a wall-thumper for me.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the trilogy many years ago loved them.. Their books I could read over and over.. 5stars

[The Devine Ms Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an uplifting book but somehow compelling to read. This can be read as a stand-alone book or as the first of the trilogy.