Customer Reviews

On the Black Hill

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'd call this a masterpiece of rural fiction. The novel unfolds so beautifully and reveals a seemingly timeless set of lives, yet the events of the world peak in and force you to understand how even isolated lives are linked into the flow of history. By the end of these pages the world has changed dramatically, tragically, beautifully; perhaps all of the past is a tapestry of such lives woven to present just the headline events, but I don't recall another writer who has bettered Chatwin's presentation of this fact. Its a short novel, very easily read, and yet will provide you with a place to send your thoughts for days and weeks afterwards.

The Jones twins, Lewis and Benjamin, are born on a Welsh borders farm at the turn of the century. They never leave home and limit their travels to the local Towns and villages. Whilst their lives change very little and their security is in a non changing environment, the world outside goes through two wars, political and social change. The twins live as far as they can outside it,but slowly the world as they know it evapourates and disappears..
This is a fascinating, touching and at times humourous portrayal of a parochial English country life that has vanished. The story of the twins dependency on each other and their lives over the unfolding century are beautifully handled and laden with wonderful descriptive prose and vignettes of their everyday lives.This novel is a true classic and will be read and enjoyed centuries from now.
Bruce Chatwins name is often mentioned by other writers-always fondly-and on reading this you understand the sense of loss they felt at his premature death.Had he lived, Chatwin would have undoubtably been a nobel winner.
You will be moved by the twins story,their 80th birthday surprise and the tragedy that follows,but also you'll know more about the essense of humanity and being human. This is easily one of the best books you will ever read.

I have never received this book...I have written to you and JitterBook...and neither of you have bothered to answer me...where is my book which I have already paid $6.88 for? I'm quite angry!!!!