Swift writes in the Introduction that he created his protagonist Tom Crick, a history teacher, in order "to explore the whole mystery of 'history' (local, personal and global) - its meaning...its distinction...from mere 'story'." Atmospherically set in the Fens, spanning 200 years and two interconnected families, it involves land-reclamation, relationships, sexual awakenings, mental incapacity, incest, murder, abortion and the life-cycle of eels. Full of suspense, all is explained by the cyclical nature of history. Brilliant!
(Denise Lewis - bwl 86 Autumn 2017 ) |
