For years I thought that Winifred Holtby had written only one novel — South Riding. That turned out to be far from the truth. She actually wrote six novels plus two collections of short stories and two non fiction books plus hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles.

Anderby Wold was her debut novel, written in 1922 when she was just 24 years old. It’s a surprisingly mature novel, one I actually enjoyed more than the better-known South Riding.

What’s it About?

This is a novel about an agricultural community on the brink of great change with the birth of new ways of thinking and the rise of trade unionism.

These changes are shown from the perspective of Mary Robson, a young Yorkshire woman, married to her cousin John, a man who doesn’t set hearts alight but is hard working and dependable.

Together they’ve battled to preserve Mary’s neglected inheritance — their beloved farm, Anderby Wold. When the novel opens Mary and John are hosting a family tea to mark the end of a decade of striving to clear the mortgage on the farm.

It’s a moment to celebrate yet the determination to preserve the farm has made Mary old before her time. Then into her life comes David Rossitur: young, red-haired, charming, eloquent — the very opposite of John. But David is from a different England — one that has radical ideas about the need for social change.

Rossitur is researching the lot of the agricultural labourer as a way of proving the need for change. His arguments stir up feelings among some of the local labourers, particularly those who are not too fond of Mary Robson.

Things escalate. A trade union for agricultural workers is formed, followed inevitably by a strike — at harvest time — and a disaster. Anderby Wold will never be the same again.

Collision of Ideas

The collision of two worlds forms the core of the novel. One of the questions raised how to strike a balance between past traditions that have worked for years with new progressive ideas that promote the betterment of all people. Mary is deeply invested in the old order — not out of cruelty, but because the farm is her identity, her life’s work, almost her entire self. David represents something threatening and thrilling in equal measure.

Anderby Wold is not just about politics and social change however. There are several themes running through the novel including family, community and the notion of outsiders.

That doesn’t mean however that the characters are just mouthpieces for differing points of view. Holtby’s characters are fully formed and real; even David Rossitur who loves to spout theories and principles about workers’ rights, is a fully-fleshed out figure. Mary too is muti-dimensional; capable of self-depection and pride but also filled with warmth and passion. There are plenty of amusing scenes and conversations too that keep things from feeling heavy-handed, even when the social commentary is pointed.

Is Anderby Wold as good as South Riding? It’s not perfect — some of the mechanics of the plot are a little contrived and it takes its time to get going. But it rich in social commentary; with some priceless witty scenes when jealous relatives and friends come to call. Cue plenty of jealousy and one-upmanship.

This is a novel that is rooted in a very specific place (the East Riding of Yorkshire) and place (1912) showing a community poised on the brink of enormous social change. Well worth the investment of time.