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Beatrice Parvin

author of 'Captain Swing and the Blacksmith'

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BOOK/PERFORMANCE/ALBUM

Reviews of the show:

‘What a talented group!’ 

‘Superb playing and singing.’

‘We really enjoyed the whole evening – thanks so much.’

Reviews of the book:

‘I’m fascinated by the world that you depict here, that of a rural nineteenth century character whose family has been buffeted by wider historical forces…the most impressive feat here is the musicality and lyricism of your language; which makes this a really poetic read.’   Andrea Stuart ‘Sugar in the Blood’

‘This is a remarkable debut novel, and I hope we shall see many more from this gifted author.’  Debbie Young, author of the Sophie Sayers Village Mystery Series

‘The writing is deft and assured, the history, whether it is detail about how people lived or the impact of profound social changes, never gets in the way of the narrative. Indeed, although the book is quite long the plot is well paced without becoming breathless…’ Naomi Clifford, author of ‘Women and the Gallows’

‘Engrossing, beautifully written, absorbing and in places, heartbreaking,  Captain Swing and the Blacksmith is a fabulous first novel, but in addition to this delightful (if haunting) story, the book is accompanied by  a CD which compliments the narrative in the  folksongs of the period. Both are a Diamond of a bargain!’    Helen Hollick, Discovering Diamonds review

For more reviews go to ‘Shop and Reviews‘

Beatrice Parvin’s debut novel Captain Swing and the Blacksmith, is set in the West Country in the 1840s, a time when the area was in the grip of poverty. It is haunted by memories of the Swing Riots 10 years before, when labourers caused extensive damage in a desperate attempt to increase starvation wages. Sue Trindall, the protagonist, is a character shaped by the trauma of the riots and the devastating effects that the riots had on her community.

Sue, a 17-year-old laundry presser, lives in Amesbury with her alcoholic father, a man known for his talent for persuasion. When Sue’s father is asked by protestors to write threatening notes signed ‘Captain Swing’, his family’s fortunes are changed forever. In order to earn money after her mother’s death, Sue starts selling buttons. One day, after finding a pair of pearl buttons embedded in mud outside the Town Hall, her fortunes start to look up. The attention of an apprentice blacksmith, Jack Straker, promises a brighter future. But when Jack abandons Sue in favour of her wealthy friend Eleanor, and she loses her precious buttons as a result of her father’s actions, Sue leave Amesbury, pregnant and devastated. And thereby begins her fight for survival…

Beatrice’s book takes inspiration from British folk music and tells the story of working class people through the songs that they wrote and sang. The book is accompanied by a collection of traditional and original tracks, performed by talented musicians, including the esteemed folk singer Emmie Ward and singer/songwriter Rebecca Hollweg. One of the accompanying tracks was the final piece of music written by Dave Swarbrick, fiddler and songwriter for Fairport Convention. Captain Swing and the Blacksmith will appeal to fans of historical fiction and those with a local interest in the West Country.

Listen to the music that inspired the book:

Listen to two original tracks from the album:

Betsey Bobbin is an old nursery rhyme set to music by the late Dave Swarbrick and sung by Emmie Ward.

Captain Swing and the Blacksmith was written and composed by singer songwriter Rebecca Hollweg to accompany the novel

Latest interview in ‘All the Sins’: https://allthesins.co.uk/2019/02/22/messages-in-bottles/

A snippet from a performance at the Ivy House featuring Frank Biddulph on violin and accordionist Pete Watson

Ivy House Performance 1

 

From Berber Rhythms to British Folk

FROM BERBER RHYTHMS TO BRITISH ROOTS Dave Swarbrick’s Swan Song finds a home on new folk album/novel: Captain Swing and the Blacksmith ‘In love be I, fifth button high, on velvet runs my courting…’   Seven years ago I invited Emmie Ward and Gili Orbach to my house one evening, to sing a few songs.…

Read more From Berber Rhythms to British Folk

Shop: Book/Music/Reviews

‘Captain Swing and the Blacksmith’ has been launched as a special edition which includes the soundtrack CD. The print edition was published on September 2017, and has been getting great reviews. Get yours here with the free captivating soundtrack of original and traditional songs: Book and CD: £9.99 + £3.00 p&p Total: £12.99 About the…

Read more Shop: Book/Music/Reviews

Landscape and Melody

                An Experience of Translating Song to Prose ‘It must live on, and because of its glorious ricketiness’ Umberto Eco[1] Captain Swing and the Blacksmith is a novel inspired by traditional song. I was attracted to the terse economy of prose that is found in English folk song and the…

Read more Landscape and Melody

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beatriceparvin@yahoo.co.uk
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