Precious Bane

Precious Bane is a novel by Mary Webb that was first published in 1924. The story is set in rural Shropshire in the early 19th century and follows the life of Prue Sarn, a young woman with a cleft lip who is shunned by her community due to her appearance. Despite her hardships, Prue is a determined and resilient character who dreams of a better life.The novel explores themes of love, family, and social class, as Prue falls in love with a wealthy landowner named Kester Woodseaves, despite the disapproval of her family and community. As their relationship develops, Prue must navigate the challenges of class differences and the expectations of society.At the heart of the novel is Prue's journey of self-discovery and acceptance, as she learns to embrace her unique appearance and finds a sense of belonging in the world. Webb's vivid descriptions of the Shropshire landscape and her lyrical prose add to the atmospheric and evocative nature of the novel.Precious Bane has been praised for its portrayal of a strong and complex female protagonist, as well as its exploration of themes that remain relevant today, such as beauty standards and societal expectations. It has been adapted for stage, radio, and television, and remains a beloved classic of English literature.1924. A novel by Mary Webb (Mrs. Henry Bertram Law Webb), the Shropshire Novelist. Her beautifully crafted characters are set against a timeless landscape that Webb knew intimately. Her finest achievement was the award of the Prix Femina, a coveted literary prize, for this her fifth novel, Precious Bane, a story of rural Shropshire in the early nineteenth century. This book was greatly admired by the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, who sent the author a letter of appreciation.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.