A Man of Stone -- His Life and Loves

Born and raised in Haworth, Jack Wood draws on many years of experience to write his first excellent novel.

His cleverly crafted story -- set mainly in Haworth and the Worth Valley in the early 19th century -- mixes fact and fiction to bring the history of our area vividly alive.

Although it follows the fortunes of a variety of interesting characters, it is mainly the story of young John Pickles, brought from a Liverpool orphanage to work in a Yorkshire mill when only ten years old.

John soon becomes a popular and successful worker, but loses everything imaginable, including the girl he loves, when wrongly imprisoned in Armley Jail.

On his release from prison he buys a small stone quarry and, known affectionately as Johnny Big Block, starts to rebuild his life.

The writer's love of Yorkshire shines through in this absorbing and romantic novel, which turned out to be a really enjoyable read.

lA Man of Stone -- His Life and Loves is published by The Book Guild as a £14.99 hardback.

The book is available to buy from local bookshops or phone 01273 472534.

Margaret Malpass