Gone to Earth (ePub)

Mary Gladys Meredith Webb, known in the literary world as Mary Webb (1881-1927), holds a celebrated position within the canon of English literature for her deep immersion into nature and rustic life. Webb's literary style is characterized by her intense depiction of the Shropshire countryside, which is mirrored by the complex emotional lives of her characters. Born in Leighton, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Webb's bond with the natural world blossomed from her upbringing in this rural setting. Her novel, 'Gone to Earth' (1917), is regarded as one of her masterpieces, bringing to life the poignant tale of Hazel Woodus, a child of nature caught between the expectations of society and her untamed heart. Webb's narratives often weave themes of tragic love, folklore, and the struggles between human passions and the callousness of social conventions. Drawing upon her own struggles with Graves' disease and her sensitivity to the beauty and brutality of nature, Webb's works resonate with authenticity and poetic fervor. 'Gone to Earth' exemplifies her preoccupation with the elemental forces of the natural world and human fate, trademarks of Webb's enduring literary style. Despite battling ill health and initially limited commercial success, Webb's work gained posthumous recognition, notably being championed by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin. Her lyrical prose and profound empathy for both her characters and the English countryside ensure her novels, including 'Precious Bane', 'The Golden Arrow', and 'The House in Dormer Forest', continue to captivate readers, securing her legacy as a distinctive voice in British literature.