Back o' the Moon, and other stories

A newly appointed parson arrives in a remote Yorkshire village, his carriage left behind on a steep, winding lane that seems to swallow the sound of everyday life. The moment he steps onto the cobbled square, he is greeted by a chorus of wary eyes, prowling mongrel dogs, and a ramshackle inn that hints at the hard‑won resilience of the locals. The opening paints a vivid picture of a community steeped in tradition, where even the church’s modest belfry stands as a silent witness to centuries of rural rhythm.

Through the parson’s uneasy first steps, the story introduces a cast of rough‑hewn characters—farmers, inn‑keepers, and a mysterious, barefooted figure peering into his own clog as if searching for hidden meaning. Their lives intertwine with whispered rumors, old prophecies, and the subtle tensions that underlie village life, offering listeners a richly textured glimpse of 19th‑century Yorkshire and the quiet drama that unfolds when an outsider steps into its world.