Precious Bane [B0374]

1963 HCDJ 26th Dutton printing of the classic 1926 original novel, in excellent condition! In Precious Bane, Mary Webb weaves a lyrical tale of love, ambition, and redemption in the heart of rural England. Prue Sarn, marked by a harelip, endures scorn in her tight-knit community but harbors a soul full of dreams and an indomitable spirit. As her ambitious brother Gideon's ruthless pursuit of wealth brings strife to their family, Prue's quiet resilience and deep connection to nature offer a balm to her wounded heart. When a mysterious weaver named Kester Woodseaves enters her life, Prue's journey of self-discovery takes a hopeful turn. Will she find acceptance and love despite the world's prejudice? A timeless story of inner beauty and human strength, Precious Bane is a masterpiece of pastoral fiction, celebrated for its poetic prose and profound emotional depth.

From Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "This is my number one favorite novel of all time. I can't really define the reason I love it so much. Sure, there's the lyrical writing, the sweet-yet-spunky protagonist, the gorgeous setting, and the best love story of all time. But there's something beyond all that which touches my soul. I always know I'll be life-long friends with anyone else who has ever read and loved this book."; "The description of the English countryside is beautiful and the use of dialect helps this era come alive. This book has hope as well as hardship, and kindness as well as brutality. Prue is a wonderful character, you feel for her immensely throughout the book. One of the best books I have read."; "Absolutely one of the best books I've read: nature writing, cheesy romance, soul-shattering trauma, and a dose of witchcraft. All told in a wonderful voice."