The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane (Landmark Library)

xiv, 388pp. First published in 1887, this is a re-issue of Rutherford’s classic historical novel which opens just before the Battle of Waterloo. With a new introduction by Simon Nowell-Smith. Brown cloth-covered boards with gilt lettering (boards square, sharp and clean). Internally clean, bright and tight (small scuff on front endpaper). In its original dust jacket (a little rubbed at extremities and now protected in a mylar wrapper). Although not a regional novel, at least half the action takes place in a market town identifiable as Bedford; the settings of Rutherford’s books – provincial, middle-class, dissenting in an age of religious questioning – have close parallels with George Eliot and he has often been couple with George Gissing, but the associations are superficial. His books were widely read, influential even – Matthew Arnold was an avid reader. But Rutherford is largely, and unfortunately, overlooked now, for he was a superb writer. His works are now a little tricky to find, especially pleasing hardback volumes such as this.