Precious Bane
by Mary Webb
The main character of Prue Sarn, whose life is undermined by the presence of a harelip, is described. Only the weaver Kester Woods perceives her inner beauty, but Prue cannot believe that she is worthy of it. Prue is falsely accused of murder, and only a man can save him and take him away for a blessing he believes he will never have because of his rabbit. Set in rural Shropshire at the turn of the 19th century, the forgotten classic combines a simple rural love story with a deep sense of nature's mystical truth. Prue Sarn is an original and compelling hero of English literature, as he overcame a physical handicap to win the desires of his heart. The aura, flora and fauna of the English countryside, skillfully woven into this story, predict every twist of the plot.
