
FURZE THE CRUEL
INTRODUCTORY - ABOUT RAINDROPS
CHAPTER I - ABOUT THE TAVY FAMILY
CHAPTER II - ABOUT BRIGHTLY
CHAPTER III - ABOUT PASTOR AND MASTER
CHAPTER IV - ABOUT BEETLES
CHAPTER V - ABOUT THOMASINE
CHAPTER VI - ABOUT VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
CHAPTER VII - ABOUT FAIRYLAND
CHAPTER VIII - ABOUT ATMOSPHERE
On the windswept moors of Dartmoor, the relentless furze, steadfast heather and ancient granite form a living trio of cruelty, endurance and strength. The river Tavy carves its way through the hills, first a fierce mountain‑cutter, then a gentle gardener, before becoming a silent carrier of warships. This elemental backdrop pulses with myth, as old pixie tales mingle with legends of hidden rocks that crumble at the touch of a raindrop.
Within this wild tapestry lives the Tavvy family, whose members—Brightly, the pastor‑master, and a host of curious characters—navigate a world where fairyland and reality brush shoulders. Their daily lives are catalogued in vivid sketches of music, folklore, and the changing seasons, each chapter revealing a new facet of their community. As the first act unfolds, the family’s quiet routines are stirred by the river’s ancient secrets, hinting at a deeper struggle that will test the very qualities the moor embodies.
Language
en
Duration
~13 hours (793K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Christine Bell and Marc D'Hooghe
Release date
Dec 2, 2010
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1870–1948
Best known for the name John Trevena, this early 20th-century novelist wrote vividly about Dartmoor and Devon, turning moorland landscapes into powerful settings for drama, mystery, and rural life. His books have a strong sense of place that still gives them a distinctive atmosphere.
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