Book
The Rose and the Yew Tree
Book 4 in the Mary Westmacott series.
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Hugh Norreys, recovering from wartime injuries, narrates the rise of John Gabriel, an ambitious outsider who contests a parliamentary election in a Cornish town. Gabriel’s political energy and appetite for power draw him toward the beautiful and socially secure Isabella, whose world appears closed to him.
The novel examines charisma, class resentment and the difference between public appeal and private character during the reconstruction of post-war Britain. Hugh’s position as observer is central: he must decide whether Gabriel’s destructive choices arise from social exclusion, personal hunger or an inability to value love except as conquest.
Historical periods
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