Three books published about local author

6:00pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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A SWINDON charity is celebrating this week after the launch of three books about, and by, Victorian nature writer Richard Jefferies. The Richard Jefferies Society is a group dedicated to the history and works of the Coate-born author.

The writer’s second novel Restless Human Hearts, a reference tome Richard Jeffries: An Index by Hugoe Matthews and Phyllis Treitel, and The Interpreter: a biography of Richard Jefferies by Audrey Smith, have all hit bookshelves in recent weeks.

One of the aims of the society, apart from protecting the landscape at Coate, is to encourage the study of the life and works of this great author

Jean Saunders

“One of the aims of the society, apart from protecting the landscape at Coate, is to encourage the study of the life and works of this great author,” said society secretary Jean Saunders.

“These books are a small token towards achieving this goal.”

Restless Human Hearts was first published in 1875 but reviews annihilated the book, describing the plot as ‘grossly immoral’ and ‘an offence against decency’.

Jean, who’s been with the society for four years, said: “One reviewer advised that the book should be kept under lock and key.”

The novel was never re-issued and any existing copies sell for around £200. While the society might find fault with the novel that would have ‘benefited from good editing,’ they believe that the neglected book is worth a second chance.

It has now been published for the first time in more than 130 years with an introduction by former president of the society, Andrew Rossabi.

Andrew seemed like the best man for the job – as a real enthusiast, a long-standing member of the society and a literary critic he could appreciate the faults with the book.

Jefferies was born at Coate Farm next to Coate Water on November 6, 1848. His first job was as a reporter for the North Wiltshire Herald, although he believed that he might better achieve fame as a novelist.

Shortly after marrying Jessie Baden from Day House Farm, the couple moved to a house next to the Advertiser’s Victoria Road offices where their son was born.

It was during this time Restless Human Hearts, the second of his novels, was published in 1875.

No-one has ever attempted to compile an index of Jefferies books before.

Jean said: “The book is an index of themes, thoughts and observations: partly a word-index and partly a subject-index.

“The final book, The Interpreter, documents Jefferies’ life until his death in 1887.”

The books are now on sale at the Richard Jefferies Museum at Coate, The museum is open on the second Wednesday of the month from 10am to 4pm and the first and third Sundays from 2 to 5pm until the end of September. Orders can also be made by contacting the Richard Jefferies Society direct on 01793 783040.