
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
2010-12-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1870–1948
Best known for his West Country fiction, this early 20th-century novelist wrote atmospheric stories rooted in Dartmoor and Devon. Publishing as John Trevena, he mixed local color, history, and a strong sense of place.
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