Published: 2006

Brian Parks's Romney Marsh Companion is a complete and authoritative reference book to the Romney Marsh novels of Monica Edwards written by her between 1947 and 1969.

Researched in consultation with Monica Edwards's son and daughter, Sean and Shelley, it is an ideal book both for those just starting to read her books and those who are well acquainted with the stories.

It contains details and cover pictures for every known version of the fifteen books (including foreign translations), information on which versions were abridged and which illustrator worked on each book. There are full colour illustrations of the dust jackets for every first edition and a detailed timeline and recommended reading order (not the same as the published order).

For the first time, the stories behind the dedicatees of the books are revealed so if you have ever wondered who 'Vivien June Martin' or the 'Three White Walkers of Cape Town' were then the answer can be found here. Other fascinating sections include a meticulously-researched chapter on the real life inspiration for Old Jim Decks, the Westling ferryman (with close-up photographs of the Rye Harbour ferryman of the late 1920s), an annotated map of Rye Harbour (Westling) with details of where everyone lived in the village and a well-illustrated and fool-proof section of walks in the Rye Harbour area taking in such places of interest as the village church, the Vicarage, Cloudesley (Camber) Castle, the old lifeboat house and the William the Conqueror inn.

By far the largest section of the book, however, is the index of references which is a comprehensive guide to every character, place, boat, horse, institution, cultural or historical reference mentioned in the books. This section is copiously illustrated with period postcards, photographs and illustrations from the books. So if you have ever wondered about the origins of the name 'Smiling Morn', what a Band of Hope was, or which real-life characters were the inspiration for Onion Ed, the Lillycrops, Fred Downing and the Deeprose family then you need look no further.

This edition of The Romney Marsh Companion has been completely revised from the author's original self-published version, with many of the index entries expanded, existing sections completely re-written and new sections added.

The Romney Marsh Companion is a perfect complement to the new re-published versions of the Monica Edwards novels which began in 2005 with Storm Ahead and No Entry and which will eventually include the entire output of this remarkable children's novelist.

Reviews

  • I was so impressed with The Monica Edwards Romney Marsh Companion. It`s beautifully produced and it`s lovely to have a record in colour of all the dustwrappers.
  • Ann Thomas
  • Absolutely thrilled to receive my copy of the Romney Marsh Companion today! Haven't done much else except read it, dipping in here and there. So much info that I always wanted to know. Great Book!!
  • Angela Rickerby