The Potter’s Hand – A N Wilson

The Potter's Hand - A.N. Wilson

The Potter’s Hand – A.N. Wilson

This novel was recommended at a fund raising book night I attended. I didn’t buy it then I bought two others – The Coat Route and The Coincidence Authority, but this one sounded interesting and I picked up a copy later.

I really enjoyed it – found it quite the page turner.

He is the blurb …

In 1774, Josiah Wedgwood, master craftsman possessed with a burning scientific vision, embarks upon the thousand-piece ‘Frog’ service for Catherine the Great.

Josiah’s nephew Tom journeys to America to buy clay from the Cherokee for this exquisite china. Tom is caught up in the American rebellion, and falls for a Cherokee woman who
will come to play a crucial role in Josiah’s late, great creation – the Portland Vase.

A novel of epic scope, rich in warmth, intellect and humanity, The Potter’s Hand explores the lives and loves of a great British dynasty, whose travails are both ordinary – births, deaths, marriages, opium addiction, depression – and utterly extraordinary.

These people lived through interesting times; the industrial revolution, the American war of independence …

The story flows easily Mr Wilson has a light touch with his research. The characters were believable (and sometimes quite unsympathetic). Josiah lived an amazing life. He was a master craftsman, businessman and innovator who survived a leg amputation (without antibodies or anaesthetic). I found the story compelling and once I have read my substantial pile, I will read more of Mr Wilson’s novels.

More reviews …

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/sep/28/potters-hand-a-n-wilson-review

http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/dovegreyreader_scribbles/2013/02/the-potters-hand-anwilson.html

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