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Mercia'S Take

Winner of the Betty Trask Prize 2023
By Daniel Wiles
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3.98 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Mercia's Take by Daniel Wiles delves into the struggles of an underground miner in 19th-century Staffordshire, England. The story explores themes of societal and personal hardship, as the protagonist navigates the relentless challenges posed by a harsh industrial landscape. Amidst the oppressive conditions, the book captures the miner's determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in an atmospheric and gritty take on the Industrial Revolution. It explores the impact of industrialisation on people's lives, intertwining themes of power, displacement, and personal struggle, which may resonate if you appreciate historical settings with a strong narrative focus.

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Mercia's Take summons an England in the heat of the industrial revolution, and the lives it took to make it. Gripping, powerful and intense, it is the debut of an astonishing new talent.

'Energy and passion fuels this harsh and beautiful first novel; Daniel Wiles connects us viscerally to the past we have buried, the history we choose to ignore' - Hilary Mantel

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

1870s, the Black Country.

Michael is a miner. But it's no life for a man.

Michael exhausts himself working two jobs, to send his son Luke to school, so he won't have to be a miner too.

Down the pit one day, he finds a seam of gold. If he gets it out, he can save his own life, and Luke's. But his workmate has other ideas...

Mercia's Take summons an England in the heat of the industrial revolution, and the lives it took to make it. Gripping, powerful and intense, it is the debut of an astonishing new talent.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Mercia's Take by Daniel Wiles has been praised for its striking language and vivid depiction of the Black Country, drawing parallels with Southern Gothic traditions. Reviewers have lauded its compelling narrative and the visceral quest for revenge, with the book's use of local vernacular and minimalist prose highlighting themes of pride and environmental destruction. The novel stands out as a formidable debut, noted for its emotional depth and evocative storytelling, immersing readers in the brutal and atmospheric world of the mining landscape.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781800750845

Publisher: Swift Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 October 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Swift Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 208

Collections

Daniel Wiles Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction

About the Author

Daniel Wiles is from Walsall in the West Midlands. He recently completed the Prose MA at UEA, where he was the recipient of the Booker Prize Foundation Scholarship. Mercia's Take is his first novel.

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