Title: Unclay /
Authors: Powys, Theodore Francis, 1875-1953,
Year: 2018
Subjects: Death (Personification) Fiction.; Death (Personification)
Abstract: "First published in 1931, the spellbinding novel Unclay glows with an unworldly light. Death has come to the small village of Dodder to deliver a parchment with the names of two local mortals and the fatal word unclay upon it. When he loses the precious sheet, he is at a loss, and also free of his errand. Hungry to taste the sweet fruits of human life, Mr. John Death, as he is now known, takes a holiday in Dorsetshire and rests from his reaping. The startlingly alive natural world basks in summer loveliness, but the village teems with the old sins (lust, avarice, greed)--as well as some loving-kindness. What unfolds is a witty, earthy, metaphysical, and delicious novel of astonishing beauty and moral force"--
Contents: Daisies -- Mr. Hayhoe opens the gate -- Mr. Hayhoe hears footsteps -- Mr. Hayhoe makes a new friend -- Death has no memory -- John reads a notice -- Priscilla answers a question -- An old woman's eye -- Joseph Bridle -- The name -- A queer mistake -- Mr. Solly is polite to turnips -- Mr. Dawe likes to see -- Hidden treasure -- Joe Bridle sees a shadow -- A laugh from a camel -- One as high as the almighty -- A tale told to Mr. Dawe -- Mr. Dawe names his price -- Mr. Dady opens the window -- Strange music -- The old fox trapped -- Winnie Huddy runs a race -- Mr. Hayhoe receives a command -- This time Mr. Hayhoe looks -- A dead rat -- Susie Dawe -- Mr. Mere makes a beginning -- Signs and wonders -- The large quiet -- Susie lights the lamp -- Susie hides in a lane -- Love defeats Mr. Solly -- A trade for John -- Death and the farmer -- The best liquor -- Love never pities -- Susie wishes to hurt -- Death wishes to kill -- Winnie insulted -- A debt paid -- A strange sweetness -- Mr. Balliboy and the beast -- The assignation -- Mr. Hayhoe shakes his head -- Lord Bullman walks to the window -- A bed of begonias -- Winnie sees the policeman -- The greed of a collector -- Droit de seigneur -- Death no enemy -- A bridal weapon -- Joe Bridle turns to the wall -- Winnie brings a message.