Furze the Cruel (Annotated Edition)

Originally published in 1907, John Trevena's novel, "Furze the Cruel," is the first of three books that explore late-19th century, rural life in the Dartmoor area of the West Country, England. "Furze" focuses on the cruelty of nature and the different ways in which people are cruel to each other and to nature. The prime example is Pendoggat, a part-time preacher and vicious scoundrel, who commits numerous, outrageous acts of cruelty on the local residents. There are many characters who are presented in a positive, charming light and who are confronted with challenges to their moral codes. Among them are: Brightly, a vagabond rabbit-skin peddler; Abel Cain Weevil, an elderly widower, and his adopted daughter, Boodles; and Mary and Peter Tavy, siblings, who provide comic relief to the story in several episodes. The tale also includes an adolescent love story between Boodles and Aubrey Bellamie which is threatened by social class differences. The fate of their relationship is not revealed until the final pages of the novel. This edition of Heather includes detailed annotations of the many Biblical, historical, geographical and literary references in the novel so that the reader may better appreciate the craft with which Trevena weaves his tale.