(Hartford Manor Book 1)
Publication Date: 21st December 2020
After the untimely death of her father, the future of Annie Carter and her family hangs in the balance. With seven hungry mouths to feed, her mother is forced to venture out into the harsh world as a farm labourer. Yet, even her meagre earnings seem insufficient to fill the bellies of her children. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Annie, a remarkable crack shot, has taken to poaching rabbits to help sustain her family.
A hearty stew, however, requires more than just tender meat; it craves the fresh, vibrant flavours of vegetables. With a pounding heart and determined spirit, Annie dares to slip into the manor’s lush vegetable gardens. She moves stealthily among the vegetable beds, carefully plucking root vegetables from the earth. Yet, despite her careful planning and dressing as a boy, she knows that if anyone were to see her illicit foraging, she would go to jail, and her family would starve.
“The Mazzard Tree (Hartford Manor Book 1)” by Marcia Clayton is a beautifully crafted, evocative novel that immerses readers in its rich narrative. With every turn of the page, the story unfolds in a way that captivates the imagination, leaving readers eagerly yearning for more.
The setting of North Devon in 1880 is vividly portrayed, serving as a crucial backdrop for the narrative. The biting winter chill sweeps across the landscape, and the cramped cottages offer little refuge, emphasising the stark realities of rural life. The desolate countryside, with its stark winter beauty, contributes to the pervasive sense of gloom that envelops those living in poverty. Vivid descriptions of the lime kilns and the farm illuminate the community’s economic hardships, particularly exacerbated by recent poor harvests. Winter presents a host of challenges; the biting cold makes it difficult to stay warm, while securing enough food becomes a formidable task. When the well freezes over, villagers are forced to trek to the nearby stream, risking their safety just to access the most basic necessity: water. This struggle vividly captures the grit and determination of their daily lives, illustrating a relentless pursuit of survival amid harsh, unforgiving conditions. In stark contrast, Lord Fellwood, who owns the cottages and employs the villagers, lives a life of luxury, profiting from the labourers who work for him. Without regard for the impoverished villagers, he refuses to invest in repairing their homes or ensuring their well-being. His manor and expansive estate rise majestically, symbolising genteel elegance and underscoring the sharp divide between the privileged and the impoverished. This juxtaposition not only highlights the disparities in wealth but also deepens the emotional impact of the characters’ experiences.
Living below the poverty line is a harsh reality that Sabina Carter knows all too well. As a mother of seven hungry children, and with one on the way, the sudden death of her beloved husband, Tom, plunges her into a daunting predicament. Without his steady income, Sabina faces the terrifying prospect of losing their home and becoming homeless on the unforgiving winter streets. Yet, despite the overwhelming hardships that life throws her way, Sabina’s fierce determination to protect her family and provide them with a safe haven remains unwavering. Throughout the pages of this poignant novel, she navigates a relentless series of trials and tribulations, each one testing her strength. Still, her commitment to nurturing and raising her children with love and care never wavers, illuminating the resilience of a mother’s heart in the face of adversity. Sabina’s kindness extends beyond her own family. She cannot bear to see anyone suffering, especially children. So, when Hannah Cutcliffe comes knocking at her door to ask for help with her sick daughter, Sabina, despite her disdain for Hannah and her husband—who squander their money on drink and neglect both themselves and their children—does not hesitate to go. However, in doing so, she inadvertently brings illness into her own household. Yet, she does not become bitter, nor will she stop helping others whenever she can. Sabina is a character who, despite her many hardships, remains a positive force in this story. She may be poor, but she strives to be the best mother she can be, determined that none of her children will ever see the inside of the workhouse.
Annie, the heroine of this tale, is a striking reflection of her mother, embodying a fierce spirit intertwined with an undeniable practicality. In the wake of her father’s death, she is abruptly confronted with a stark and unsettling truth: their meagre funds are disappearing quickly, leaving them on the brink of starvation. Driven by an instinctive desperation, she ventures into the desolate expanses of the moors, skilfully poaching rabbits and stealthily slipping into the sprawling garden of the manor. There, she plucks turnips, swedes, and parsnips from the earth, her heart racing with each risk-laden movement. Fully aware of the potential consequences of imprisonment, Annie’s determination is fuelled by an unyielding love for her family. Her mother, Sabina, often shrouded in worry, watches her daughter take these perilous risks with a mix of fear and admiration. Yet, she cannot dismiss the vital role Annie plays in their survival. The precious food Annie manages to bring home serves not just as sustenance but as a beacon of hope, warding off the gnawing darkness of hunger and despair. In this portrait, Annie emerges as a remarkable blend of courage and compassion, embodying a fierce devotion that drives her to defy danger and adversity. Her willingness to risk everything for the sake of her family paints her as not only brave but also deeply loving, reminding us of the lengths one will go to protect those they cherish most. As the story progresses, Annie goes into service at the manor, which gives her the opportunity to send more money home. However, the safety she had envisioned working with the aristocracy is soon shattered by the reality that those who have always gotten what they want have difficulty understanding the word “no.” At times, the reader genuinely fears for Annie’s safety as she encounters some despicable characters at the manor. Despite her hardships, much like her mother, she does not become bitter but perseveres. Annie is a character that readers can truly sympathise with.
While recovering from rheumatic fever, Robert, Lord Fellwood’s second son, begins to develop a deep interest in the management of the estate. However, he knows that the responsibility of inheritance will fall to his older brother. Much like his grandfather, Robert is interested in the lives of the estate workers and their living conditions. He yearns to take meaningful action to improve the workers’ cottages, but often feels powerless to do more than empathise with their struggles. With a hands-on approach to farming, Robert finds joy in the earth and the labour that sustains it. He effortlessly bridges the gap between the privileged aristocracy and the workers living in poverty, fostering genuine relationships with both. When he meets Annie, a spark ignites between them—a connection that feels both exhilarating and inevitable. Yet, at just 17 years old, Robert grapples with the constraints of his own life and position, aware that Annie’s circumstances place her far outside his reach. His father would never allow a relationship between the two of them. Robert is a charming and earnest character who genuinely desires to alleviate the burdens of those on his family’s estate. He feels a profound sense of responsibility for their well-being, even if his father remains indifferent to their plight. Through his eyes, one can see a vision of a more compassionate world.
The novel features a cast of antagonists, one of whom remains unknown until the very end. One notable character is George, Sabina’s brother-in-law, who prides himself on being a compassionate man. However, beneath this facade lies a troubling indifference to the suffering of the poor and a disdain for family members he views as inferior. When tragedy strikes with the death of his brother Tom, instead of offering support, George callously suggests sending his younger nieces and nephews to the workhouse. This harsh stance sharply contrasts with the rest of his family, who are always eager to provide help and support during difficult times, embodying true compassion and kindness.
Clayton does not shy away from addressing very difficult topics, and her portrayal of Lucy can make for some challenging reading. Lucy’s depression following the birth of her child is crippling, and she has absolutely no interest in her beautiful baby. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Lucy cannot be left alone with the baby, resulting in her admission to an asylum. Although the reader does not experience Lucy’s time in the institution directly, visits provide glimpses into the harsh realities of such places, where patient care was often not a priority and experimental practices were frequently conducted without the patients’ or their families’ consent.
“The Mazzard Tree (Hartford Manor Book 1)” by Marcia Clayton is a deeply emotional novel that intricately explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Through beautifully crafted prose, Clayton brings to life the struggles and triumphs of her characters, creating a narrative that resonates with readers on a profound level. With its richly detailed settings and vivid imagery, this touching story leaves a lasting impact, ensuring that it lingers in the hearts and minds of all who embark on this reading journey.
Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion
(Hartford Manor Book 1)
Thank you so much for your incredible review, Mary Anne. You have made my day!
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