Mary E. Pearce

Opening in the late 1880’s, Apple Tree Lean Down by Mary E. Pearce is a family saga about the Tewkes and the Izzards. The story revolves around family difficulties that see Beth Twekes and her mother go to live with her difficult Grandfather. Her mother keeps house while Beth learns how to help in the running of his carpentry business. Beth is very clever yet wilful and distrust the fellow that her Grandfather has chosen for her. She chooses to leave and marries a farm labourer. Years go show more by but eventually her Grandfather comes to her and offers her husband a partnership in the business.

Told is gentle, descriptive prose this is just beginning of the story that follows this family through it’s ups and downs. By the end of the book, another main character has taken over the narrative, Betony, Beth’s daughter who turns 18 on the eve of the first World War. Eventually this saga will cover four generations of this yeoman family.

This is a story of England, told through the eyes of farmers, labourers and craftsmen. Covering births, marriages and deaths, the fortunes of this family, their hopes and their losses are revealed against a backdrop of scenes of country life in the late 18th century. I enjoyed this story, loved that it has such a strong sense of place, and I look forward to the next volume. show less

Jack finds a new position and falls in love. The book follows his days, with minimal plot and time progressing rapidly. Country life of the late 19th century is portrayed, probably realistically, but there was very little emotion and the characters, while believable, seem rather flat.

Maggie suffers family tragedies, then finds a new home in a fishing village. Believable, warm characters and a dramatic semi-sweet ending, but not terribly interesting.

A 19th century mini-saga. Martin, the son of a stonemason, has lessons with an upper-class family and gradually gets friendly with them. Circumstances reverse their fortunes later on, and the families' paths cross again.

Readable but not very exciting.