The White Hare

Jane Johnson

From Shelf: Wish list

A post-war novel set in 1950s Cornwall, about superstitions, legends and Edens lost, found, and remade.

'A brilliant novel of love, loss, forgiveness, and healing wrapped in Cornwall start to finish.' Liz Fenwick 'This book does not hesitate to evoke a sense of wonder.' Robin Hobb In a valley steeped in legend lies an abandoned house where Edens may be lost, found and remade... The White Valley in the far west of Cornwall cuts deeply through bluebell woods down to the sea. The house above the beach has lain neglected since the war. It comes with a reputation, which is why Mila and her mother Magda acquire it so cheaply in the fateful summer of 1954. Magda plans to restore the house to its former glory: the venue for glittering parties, where the rich and celebrated gathered for bracing walks by day and sumptuous cocktails by night. Mila's ambitions, meanwhile, are much less grand; she dreams of creating a safe haven for herself, and a happy home for her little girl, Janey. The White Valley comes with a long, eventful history, laced with tall tales. Locals say that a white hare may be seen running through the woods there; to some she's an ill omen, to others a blessing. Feeling fragile and broken-hearted, Mila is in need of as many blessings as she can get. But will this place provide the fresh start she so desperately needs? Praise for Jane Johnson: 'This book does not hesitate to evoke a sense of wonder. It's a renewal of 'what if' and it does that better than I've seen it done in quite a while' Robin Hobb 'Sings of an earth alive with power' Jackie Morris 'A brilliant novel of love, loss, forgiveness, and healing... I loved every page' Liz Fenwick