Nanteos:

- Reviews -

Jane Blanks earlier novel, The Geometry of Love, was set in Sheffield and France in the 1980s; this one is firmly rooted in mid Wales in the 1750s, but they share the theme of obsession. The Shadow of Nanteos has been called a Gothic romance and certainly the opening suggests supernatural horror, but the agencies of tragedy are all-too-human passions. The author became fascinated by Nanteos mansion and its history from childhood visits and she has based her story on the actual William and Elizabeth Powell, who take possession of the estate and its treasures at the beginning of the novel. The treasures are the supposed Grail cup and a rich inheritance of jewels, which to some extent take rival possession of Elizabeths mind as the story darkens. Although the character of Gruffydd, the healer and cunning man, shows prophetic and perhaps magical powers, on the whole the supernatural aspects are down-played. Local traditions of fortune-telling and protective charms, though mistrusted by the church and chapel authorities, are seen here as the efforts of the powerless to defend themselves from a world they cannot control. The Shadow of Nanteos is no soft-focus costume drama. There is a strong sense of social division between local Welsh workers and the anglicised middle-class and upper-class landowners and mine-owners. The central character, Elizabeth, although at first revelling in her new fortune and status, soon breaks the social rules both in relation to her servants and in what is expected of a gentlewoman. Although not unhappily married to William Powell, she becomes drawn to Cai, his clever, handsome bailiff and mine-manager. Cais own status is ambiguous: related both to the Powell family and to Gruffydd, he is in some sense a truer heir to the land than William. Cais interaction with Thomas, Williams son, is crucial and well drawn. The richness of the estate, which is emphasised at first, is revealed to be vulnerable when Powell and his neighbours become involved in the Cardiganshire Lead Wars concerning title to land. William also fails to keep up with the new technology which could make his mines safer and more profitable. Again the author engages with the social and political complexities of the period and does not take an easy or sentimental line. It would be fascinating to know if Elizabeths extreme reaction to the loss of a child, which becomes the main driver of the plot, is based on evidence (given the high level of child mortality at the time, even in the best families). The supporting characters, especially the women servants and the Powell children, are interesting and well-developed; the locations are vividly evoked, and the landscape has a part in the drama as it does in Hardys novels. Despite some Gothic features, this novel has more raw realism in its sense of the physical and social pressures of the time and is all the stronger and more interesting for that. Caroline ClarkIt is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www. gwales. com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio' r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www. gwales. com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council

- Full Details -

Status:	No local stock, title imported to order
ISBN-13:	9781784618773
Published:	25 Jul 2020
Published In:	United Kingdom
Imprint:	Y Lolfa
Publisher:	Y Lolfa
Format:	Paperback
Height:	195mm
Width:	130mm
Pages:	304

- Delivery ETA -

In stock - for items in stock we aim to dispatch the next business day. For delivery in NZ allow 2-5 business days, with rural taking a wee bit longer.

Locally sourced in NZ - stock comes from a NZ supplier with an approximate delivery of 7-15 business days.

International Imports - stock is imported into NZ, depending on air or sea shipping option from the international supplier stock can take 10-30 working days to arrive into NZ. 

Pre-order Titles - delivery will vary depending on where the title is published, if local stock is available in NZ then 5-7 business days, for international imports it can be 10-30 business days. In all cases we will access the quickest supply option.

Delivery Packaging - we ship all items in cardboard sleeves or by box with either packing paper or corn starch chips. (We avoid using plastics bubble bags)

Tracking - Orders are delivered by track and trace courier and are fully insured, tracking information will be sent by email once dispatched.

View our full Order & Delivery information

- Notify Me When Back In Stock -

Details of the product above will be automatically included with your enquiry.