Riceyman Steps

Set in 1919, shortly after the end of the First European holocaust, this novel explores the complex dynamics of a seemingly successful marriage between Henry Earlforward, a North London bookseller, and Violet Arb, a widow with a background marked by nomadic travels and beliefs in class distinctions. With the help of Elsie, a charwoman and fellow widow, the story delves into themes of passion, thrift, and personal flaws that threaten their relationships and lives. Through a detailed and analytical narrative, the novel offers a compelling examination of marriage and societal change in turbulent times.