South Riding: Virago Modern Classics

Rich in humour and worldly insight . . . this panoramic story of local politics stands as testament not only to Holtby's strong belief in public service
While the novel undoubtedly remains a fascinating depiction of a time and place, it is more than that. In its portrait of the workings of a community, in its celebration of social spirit, and in Burton's final urging of her girls to serve yet also to challenge and question and strive, it feels both timely and necessary
Holtby's personal masterpiece: a novel that works beautifully on all sorts of levels, capturing the life of a whole community even as it offers us the passions, frustrations and tragedies of individual lives . . . I can't say enough good things about this book
A triumph of personality, a testament of its author's undaunted philosophy
One of my favourite novels: a life-enhancing, twentieth-century masterpiece
The chief interest of the book . . . lies in the panoramic view of the community, with individuals coming out in sharp relief, dramatic and humorous and tragic