A series of short stories rather in the mould of Alan Garner. Each story centres on an episode in the lives of two families living on the Cumbrian Fells, one a local farming family, the other a London-based family who rent a cottage from the locals. The characters of Bell and Harry, local lad and city child respectively form the basis for most of the stories, with the stories spread over a number of years.
A pleasant read, especially the relations between the two families, initially quite hostile but later extremely close. The last story is particularly intriguing, set as it is some short time in the future when all fossil fuel is finished and steam, electricity, etc. are the only ways. Tim Golden is a computer programmer living in London. This review first appeared on his site goodtoread.org.