The Hollow Land

A stunning novel, winner of the Whitbread Award, by the author of Old Filth and Last Friends. 'Just as devotees of certain television shows dream of finding lost episodes and Beatles fans imagine opening a box and fishing out recordings of forgotten studio sessions, so readers long for ways to extend the pleasure they receive from beloved writers. In this regard Jane Gardam has been more than accommodating Her territory isn't young or old; it's the heart-and brain-matter of people, their desires and worries and fantasies and intricate interactions. All of this is set capably against a particular landscape, and the result tends to be vivid and real. Beautiful, like Willa Cather' Meg Wolitzer, New York Times The Hollow Land captures the beauty of the barren Cumbrian countryside, and among its few inhabitants, the lives of two young boys, Bill Teesdale and Harry Bateman. Bill, from a farming family, has been raised in the dialect, hard work, and myth of the fells. His new friend Harry is a tourist whose family spends summer holidays there every year. The pair's inseparable friendship provides a series of delightful adventures rendered with Gardam's gorgeous detail and sure use of humour 'Her territory isn't young or old; it's the heart-and brain-matter of people, their desires and worries and fantasies and intricate interactions. All of this is set capably against a particular landscape, and the result tends to be vivid and real. Beautiful, like Willa Cather' Meg Wolitzer, New York Times The barren, beautiful Cumbrian fells provide the bewitching setting for the adventures of Bill and Harry, two children who find wonder at every turn as they experience the Hollow Land. Everyday challenges give a daring edge to this rural work and play. There are mysteries to explore and uncover , like the case of the Egg Witch, and everyone is curious about the Household Name, a visitor from London, moving into the jewel of the territory, Light Farm. Gardam is at her best with this novel, which won the Whitbread award in 1981.