Find out more about Ann Turnbull and her books by visiting her website at www.annturnbull.com
1662 – England is reeling from the after-effects of civil war, with its clashes of faith and culture.
Seventeen-year-old Will returns home after completing his studies, to begin an apprenticeship arranged by his wealthy father. Susanna, a young Quaker girl, leaves her family to become a servant in the same town.
Theirs is a story that speaks across the centuries, telling of love and the struggle to stay true to what is most important – in spite of parents, society and even the law.
But is the love between Will and Susanna strong enough to survive – no matter what?
Shortlisted for the Whitbread Book Award and the Guardian Fiction Prize
England 1665 – 1666
Will, now a Quaker, travels to London to find work.
Waiting for him in Shropshire, Susanna becomes increasingly worried: Will’s letters grow fewer as the plague spreads and the city gates are closing.
Susanna sets off in search of him, but hopes of marriage fade as an even greater threat looms.
The riveting sequel to No Shame, No Fear, shortlisted for the Whitbread Book Award and the Guardian Fiction Prize
PRAISE FOR NO SHAME, NO FEAR
“An unusual and well-told story of love against the odds.”
The Observer
“Here is a novel that needs a trumpet to be blown for it… The pleasures lie less in plot surprises than in the plain, exact and elegant language that takes you to the heart of each character’s feelings.” Adèle Geras, The Guardian
“Historical details are deftly handled, building a rich picture of momentous events set against personal, domestic lives, particularly those of women. A pleasingly unexpected take on the boy-meets-girl romance, set in a fascinating context.”
Booktrusted News
“The unembellished but quietly passionate tone of the story perfectly realizes the Quaker ideals of simplicity and truth, and the privations which they endure with courage and dignity serve to engage reader sympathy in a powerful, understated way. Historical context is accurately and carefully used, but it is the measured tone of the narrative and its humble, quiet characters with their rock of religion which leave a lasting impression.” Books for Keeps
“A novel of huge integrity told in a fittingly simple voice… Turnbull has written a powerful and moving book that never becomes shrill; she creates a past that is wholly credible and sets out a thoughtful blueprint for tolerance.” Julia Eccleshare, The Guardian
“I was surprised to find how easily I was drawn inside this gentle love story… This is a book for all teenagers and adults who want to remind themselves how powerful teenage passion can be.” Carousel
Books by the same author
No Shame, No Fear
Forged in the Fire
Greek Myths
House of Ghosts
A Long Way Home
Pigeon Summer
No Friend of Mine
Room for a Stranger
Heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped me with both research and structure for this book, and to all those who encouraged and supported me along the way.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, are used fictitiously.
First published 2012 by Walker Books Ltd
87 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HJ
This edition published 2013
Text © 2012 Ann Turnbull
Cover photograph © Tyler Stalman/Getty Images
The right of Ann Turnbull to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data: a catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978-1-4063-5473-7 (ePub)
www.walker.co.uk