A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight

{{short description |Epic novel sequence by Henry Williamson}} {{Italic title}} {{More citations needed|date=August 2024}} {{use British English |date=June 2023}} {{use dmy dates |date=June 2023}} '''''A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight''''' is the collective name for [[Henry Williamson]]'s 15 novel series. First published between 1951 and 1969, the series follows the life of Phillip Maddison through the first half of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brien |first1=Jeremy |title=Evening Post - Bristol |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-gale-of-the-world?view=article&id=362:the-gale-of-the-world-critical-reception&catid=65:bibliography |date=29 May 1969}}</ref> Providing a social history for the time period 1893 to 1947 (including both World Wars), the series is partially inspired by Henry Williamson's own life.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |title=Desert Island Discs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009y0w5 |website=BBC Desert Island Discs Archive |access-date=8 September 2024}}</ref> The 15 books total over 3 million words, just over 6,000 pages,{{r|HWS|JMM}} and is considered one of the longest single works written in the English language.<ref name="auto4">{{cite web |title=Profile - Interview with Henry Williamson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p033k315 |website=BBC |access-date=8 September 2024}}</ref>

==Series overview== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ ''A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight '': Series Overview |- ! Book No. !! Book Title !! First Published !! Page Count !! Book Summary<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=Gale of the World |date=1969 |publisher=Macdonald |pages=366–368 |edition=First |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-gale-of-the-world}}</ref> !! Years Covered |- | 01 || ''The Dark Lantern''|| 1951 || 432 || The courtship and marriage of Richard Maddison and Hetty Turney || 1893-1895 |- | 02 || ''Donkey Boy''|| 1952 || 400 || Phillip Maddison - the early years || 1897-1907 |- | 03 || ''Young Phillip Maddison''|| 1953 || 416 || Youth's singing season - the schooldays of Phillip Maddison || 1908-1913 |- | 04 || ''How Dear is Life''|| 1954 || 335 || The last summer of the Old World and the First Battle of Ypres || 1913-1914 |- | 05 || ''A Fox Under My Cloak''|| 1955 || 415 || Fear and the Quest for Courage - 1915 and the time of Loos || 1914-1915 |- | 06 || ''The Golden Virgin''|| 1957 || 448 || The year of the Somme || 1915-1916 |- | 07 || ''Love and the Loveless''|| 1958 || 384 || Passchendale - A soldier's Tale || 1916-1917 |- | 08 || ''A Test to Destruction''|| 1960 || 461 || 1918 with the Fifth Army in France - and the first aftermath of peace || 1918 |- | 09 || ''The Innocent Moon''|| 1961 || 415 || A romantic novel of the early nineteen-twenties, largely set in the West Country || 1920-1924 |- | 10 || ''It Was the Nightingale''|| 1962 || 357 || Phillip's loss of his first wife - and the search for a new happiness || 1924-1926 |- | 11 || ''The Power of the Dead''|| 1963 || 365 || Between two worlds - Phillip at the crossroads in the late twenties || 1926-1929 |- | 12 || ''The Phoenix Generation''|| 1965 || 384 || The troubled decade leading to the Second World War || 1929-1939 |- | 13 || ''A Solitary War''|| 1966 || 374 || Farming life and political suspicion in the opening months of the Second World War || 1939-1940 |- | 14 || ''Lucifer Before Sunrise''|| 1967 || 515 || A record of the effects of the Second World War on agricultural England || 1940-1945 |- | 15 || ''The Gale of the World''|| 1969 || 364 || The climax of the sequence, set in post-War North Devon || 1946–1947

==Background== Henry Williamson wrote the final sentence of his series, 'A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight' at 4.20pm on Sunday 11 February 1968.<ref name="auto5">{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=The Gale of the World |date=1969 |publisher=Macdonald |pages=363–364 |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1827042.The_Gale_of_the_World}}</ref> Overcome by emotion, he cried out words of grief and amazement.<ref name="auto5"/> He considered the series his life's work, a '[[War and Peace]]' of his time,<ref name="auto2">{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Anne |title=Henry Williamson: Tarka and the Last Romantic |date=1995 |publisher=Alan Sutton Publishing |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/shop/second-hand-books/henry-williamson-tarka-and-the-last-romantic-p166}}</ref> which had taken him 30 years to start, and 20 years to complete, at times writing for 14 hours a day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Radio Broadcast 11 October 1969 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p009y0w5 |website=BBC Desert Island Discs |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> Totaling over 3 million words,<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |title=A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/a-chronicle-of-ancient-sunlight |website=Henry Williamson Society |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> the series is considered one of the longest single works written in the English language.<ref name="auto1"/>

The fifteen books span the time period 1893 to 1947, much of which contain autobiographical elements from Henry Williamson's own life<ref name="auto4"/> translated into the fictional account of his character, Phillip Maddison.

Books 1-3 cover the courtship of Phillip's parents and his childhood in the London suburb of [[Lewisham]] and the nearby [[Hilly Fields, Lewisham|Hilly Fields]] (a plaque is located on Eastern Road, Lewisham to mark where Henry Williamson grew up<ref>{{cite web |title=Plaque - Henry Williamson |url=https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/henry-williamson |website=London Remembers |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref>). Books 4-8 cover Phillip's time served in [[The Great War]], some experiences are drawn from Williamson's own War diaries and experiences, other battles from extensive research.<ref name="auto3"/>

Books 9-11 and part of Book 12 cover Phillip's life in [[North Devon]]. Mirroring a version of Henry Williamson's life and writing career, as Phillip writes short nature stories (based on those Williamson wrote and published in ''The Peregrine's Saga'' (Collins 1923), and ''The Old Stag'' (Putnam 1926)),<ref name="auto6">{{cite web |title=A Life's Work |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/a-lifes-work |website=Henry Williamson Society |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> as well as finding literary success with a novel about an otter and a trout (versions of Williamson's own ''[[Tarka the Otter]]'' (Putnam 1927) and ''[[Salar the Salmon]]'' (Faber 1936)).<ref name="auto6"/>

The second part of Book 12, and Books 13 and 14 follow Phillip's attempts to farm in [[Norfolk]], also based on Williamson's own experiences, some of which were published in his non-fiction work, ''The Story of a Norfolk Farm'' (Faber 1941).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Story of a Norfolk Farm |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-story-of-a-norfolk-farm |website=Henry Williamson Society |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> Many pieces of the series were in fact recycled from parts of books Williamson had previously published, including segments used from ''Goodbye West Country'' (Putnam 1937),<ref>{{cite web |title=The Phoenix Generation |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-phoenix-generation |website=Henry Williamson Society |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> ''The Sun in the Sands'' (Faber 1945)<ref>{{cite web |title=The Innocent Moon |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-innocent-moon |website=Henry Williamson Society |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> and events/characters directly link with his earlier novel series ''[[The Flax of Dream]]'' (Collins 1921-1928).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Flax of Dream |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-flax-of-dream |website=Henry Williamson Society |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref>

Book 15 sets the climax of the series back in North Devon, where Phillip dreams to start writing his major novel series (a version of ''A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight''), and ends with a terrible storm and flood in [[Lynmouth]] based on the real-life [[Lynmouth Flood|1952 event]] (though moved to 1947).<ref name="auto">{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=Gale of the World |date=1969 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-gale-of-the-world}}</ref>

In parts of Books 12 to 15 Henry Williamson's own political beliefs<ref>{{cite web |title=Henry Williamson |url=https://www.oswaldmosley.com/henry-williamson/ |website=Oswald Mosley.com |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> are reflected in Phillip's, as he is a German sympathizer during [[World War II]] and joins a version of [[Oswald Mosley]]'s [[British Union of Fascists]]. In an interview with Clive Gordon for the [[BBC]] Radio show ''Profile'', Williamson agrees with Gordon that his great work had been neglected due to his politics.<ref name="auto4"/>

==Series title==

Interviewed on ''[[Desert Island Discs]]'' in 1969, Henry Williamson stated that the original working title for the series was ''A Chronicle of a Waste of Time'', based on one of [[Shakespeare]]'s sonnets. But that his publishers advised against it, as too many critics would take advantage of such a title.<ref name="auto1"/>

The title of the series, ''A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight'' is a reference to the works of naturalist writer, [[Richard Jefferies]], in particular his 1883 book ''[[The Story of My Heart]]'' which had a profound effect on Williamson when he returned from the trenches.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Jefferies |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/richard-jefferies |website=Henry Williamson Society |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/> In ''A Story of My Heart'' Jefferies writes how the power of sunlight linked his soul with the past; "Gradually entering into the intense life of the summer days—a life which burned around as if every grass blade and leaf were a torch—I came to feel the long-drawn life of the earth back into the dimmest past, while the sun of the moment was warm on me. [[Sesostris]] on the most ancient sands of the south, in ancient, ancient days, was conscious of himself and of the sun. This sunlight linked me through the ages to that past consciousness. From all the ages my soul desired to take that soul-life which had flowed through them as the sunbeams had continually poured on earth".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jefferies |first1=Richard |title=The Story of my Heart |date=1938 |publisher=Penguin |page=6 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Story-my-Heart-R-Jefferies/dp/B000M6J2WY/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZcDsnN3JGGo_b-V5g4lWC25PvkJr9xIFsQHTJ0K0C4c.JOhINZg4ROA_ri9FdGiJ4RFXCgeDkGF_kKBQXZ5OHP4&dib_tag=se&keywords=story+my+heart+richard+jefferies+penguin&qid=1726514860&sr=8-2}}</ref>

==Books== '''''The Dark Lantern''''' First published in 1951, the first book in the series covers the period 1893-1895. Largely set in a suburb of London ([[Lewisham]]), near [[the Crystal Palace]], the story follows the courtship and secret marriage of Richard Maddison and Hetty Turney. Their financial struggles as they set up a home together despite objections of Hetty's imposing father, Thomas Turney. Ending with the birth of their son, Phillip Maddison.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=The Dark Lantern |date=1951 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-dark-lantern}}</ref>

'''''Donkey Boy''''' First published in 1952, ''Donkey Boy'' covers the period 1897-1907 and describes the difficult childhood of Phillip Maddison on the outskirts of London. Historical events mentioned include [[Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee]], the [[Boer War]], Mafeking Day and the 1906 General Election.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=Donkey Boy |date=1952 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/donkey-boy}}</ref>

'''''Young Phillip Maddison''''' First published in 1953, ''Young Phillip Maddison'' details the teenage years of Phillip in the years 1908 to 1913. Describing his troubled relationship with his father, a growing passion for nature in the surrounding estates, involvement with school bullies, a boyhood gang and the [[Cub Scouts]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=Young Phillip Maddison |date=1953 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/young-phillip-maddison}}</ref> Historical events mentioned, include; the death of King Edward VII, the coronation of [[King George V]], [[Halley's Comet]], the sinking of the ''[[Titanic]]''.

'''''How Dear is Life''''' First published in 1954, ''How Dear is Life'' is the 1st of 5 books which cover [[The Great War]]. Set between 1913 and 1914, the novel starts as Phillip gets his first job as a clerk in London, and at the outbreak of war joins the London Highland Territorials along with his school friends. The sense of adventure is shattered after the devastating [[Battle of Ypres]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=How Dear is Life |date=1954 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/how-dear-is-life}}</ref> '''''A Fox Under My Cloak''''' First published in 1955, ''A Fox Under My Cloak'' is the 2nd book set during the [[First World War]], covering the years 1914 to 1915. Phillip experiences trench life, and the 1914 [[Christmas Truce]] in which he meets many German soldiers that he sees as the everyday man like himself. During periods of convalescence, he struggles with life at home with the family. At the Battle of Loos, he meets an important, sympathetic role model, Captain ‘Spectre’ West. Other historical events mentioned, include the sinking of the [[RMS Lusitania|''Lusitania'']] and the [[Suffragettes]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=A Fox Under My Cloak |date=1955 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/a-fox-under-my-cloak}}</ref> '''''The Golden Virgin''''' First published in 1957, ''The Golden Virgin'' is the 3rd book covering the [[First World War]], years 1915-1916. Phillip continues to struggle with his courage in the Battle of [[the Somme]] as well as his troubled behavior when at home. There is a devastating [[Zeppelin]] attack on London which involves Phillip's father (a Special Constable), and Phillip's love interest, Lily Cornford.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=The Golden Virgin |date=1957 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-golden-virgin}}</ref> '''''Love and the Loveless''''' First published in 1958, ''Love and the Loveless'' is the 4th book covering [[The First World War]], years 1916-1917. Phillip struggles with his drinking, as he becomes a transport officer in charge of horses on the [[Passchendale]] battlefield.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=Love and the Loveless |date=1958 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/love-and-the-loveless}}</ref> '''''A Test to Destruction''''' First published in 1960, ''A Test to Destruction'' is the fifth and final book covering [[The First World War]], the year of 1918. We follow Phillip through the final battles with the Fifth Army in France, where he is temporarily blinded by gas. The War comes to an end, and Phillip struggles to settle back into life at home, with scenes of terrible family feuds.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=A Test to Destruction |date=1960 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/a-tes-to-destruction}}</ref> '''''The Innocent Moon''''' First published in 1961, we see Phillip move to [[Devon]] where he follows his dream to become a writer of nature stories in the years 1920-1924. Spending time with an eccentric friend (Julian Warbeck), and his cousin Willy (where events cross-over with Williamson's other work, 'The Pathway' (1928). Phillip has a number of romances, and believes he has found his soulmate in a girl named Barley.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=The Innocent Moon |date=1961 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-innocent-moon}}</ref> '''''It Was the Nightingale''''' First published in 1962, and set in the years 1924-1926, we follow Phillip as he copes with the tragic death of his first wife during childbirth, and searches for happiness in Devon and on the London Literary scene.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=It Was the Nightingale |date=1962 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/it-was-the-nightingale}}</ref> '''''The Power of the Dead''''' First published in 1963, ''The Power of the Dead'' covers 1926-1929. Phillip starts a new life in Devon with his second wife, Lucy, but lives in two worlds between the living and the dead. He at last reaches literary fame with the publication of his otter book (a version of ''[[Tarka the Otter]]''), and attempts farm management with his Uncle Hilary.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=The Power of the Dead |date=1963 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-power-of-the-dead}}</ref> '''''The Phoenix Generation''''' First published in 1965, ''The Phoenix Generation'' covers a ten-year period, from 1929 to 1939. Phillip's love life becomes complicated as he seeks solace with young mistresses. He publishes another literary success (a version of ''[[Salar the Salmon]]''). As the [[Second World War]] looms on the horizon, Phillip's controversial sympathies with Germany lead him to join Hereward Birkin's Imperial Socialist Party (a version of [[Oswald Mosley]] and the [[British Union of Fascists]]). With ideas of National renewal, he moves his growing family to Norfolk to attempt farming. Historical events described include [[Ramsay MacDonald]]'s General Election, Silver Jubilee and death of [[King George V]], [[Nuremberg Rally]], and the burning down of [[The Crystal Palace]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=The Phoenix Generation |date=1965 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-phoenix-generation}}</ref> '''''A Solitary War''''' First published in 1966, ''A Solitary War'' covers the first two years of [[World War Two]] from 1939 to 1940. Phillip struggles to make his derelict Norfolk Farm work amidst political tensions with the local villagers, and an unhappy married life. Historical events described include [[The Battle of Britain]], Broadcasts of [[Lord Haw Haw]], [[Winston Churchill]]'s emergence as Prime Minister, Germany entering [[Paris]], [[London Blitz]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=A Solitary War |date=1966 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/a-solitary-war}}</ref> '''''Lucifer Before Sunrise''''' First published in 1967, ''Lucifer Before Sunrise'' covers the final years of the [[Second World War]], from 1940 to 1945. Phillip continues to cause controversy in the local Norfolk village with his political views and farming techniques. His family life begins to disintegrate, and his first born son, Billy joins the [[R.A.F.]] Historical events described include [[Dresden]] bombings, the [[Fall of Singapore]], [[D-Day]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Henry |title=Lucifer Before Sunrise |date=1967 |publisher=Macdonald |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/lucifer-before-sunrise}}</ref> '''''The Gale of the World''''' First published in 1969, ''Gale of the World'' is the final and 15th book of 'A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight'. Set in the post-War period of 1946-1947, Phillip now lives a reclusive life on [[Exmoor]], [[North Devon]]. With ailing eyesight he wishes to start his giant novel series, and attempts a reconciliation with his family. Depicted in the novel is the devastating [[Lynmouth flood]] (moved from 1952 to 1947).<ref name="auto"/>

==Main characters== '''FAMILY'''

'''Phillip Maddison''' ''The main protagonist of the series, Phillip is born in 1895 at the end of the first novel''

'''Richard Maddison''' ''Phillip's father'' '''Hetty Maddison/Turney''' ''Phillip's mother'' '''Mavis Elizabeth Maddison''' ''Phillip's sister'' '''Doris Maddison''' ''Phillip's younger sister'' '''Thomas Turney''' ''Phillip's Grandfather / Hetty's father'' '''Hugh Turney''' ''Phillip's Uncle / Hetty's Sister'' '''Dora Maddison''' ''Phillip's Aunt / Richard's sister (a suffragette)'' '''Hillary Maddison''' ''Phillip's Uncle / Richard's brother'' '''Willy Maddison''' ''Phillip's cousin - who also features in Henry Williamson's ''[[The Flax of Dream]]'' novel series'' '''Percy Maddison''' ''Phillip's cousin'' '''Hubert Cakebread''' ''Phillip's cousin'' '''Polly Pickering''' ''Phillip's cousin'' '''Barley Lushington/Maddison''' ''Phillip's first wife'' '''Lucy Copleston/Maddison''' ''Phillip's second wife'' '''Billy Maddison''' ''Phillip's first son''

'''CHILDHOOD NEIGHBOURS & FRIENDS''' Mrs Neville, Desmond Neville, Horace Cranmer, Tom Chin, Peter Wallace

'''WORLD WAR I''' Captain ‘Spectre’ West, Bill Kidd, Teddy Pinnegar, Major Downham, Father Aloysius, Captain 'All Weather' Jack Hobart

'''LOVE INTERESTS''' Helena Rolls, Lily Cornford, Melissa Watt-Wilby, Molly and Miranda Bucentaur, Laura Wissilcraft,

'''MISCELLANEOUS''' '''Ernest and Tim Copleston''' ''Brother-in-laws'' '''Julian Warbeck''' ''Friend'' '''Piers Tofield''' ''Friend'' '''Horatio Bugg''' ''A local nuisance near his Norfolk farm'' '''Hereward Birkin''' ''A version of Sir Oswald Mosley'' '''Buster Cloudesley''' ''Friend and Pilot'' {{r|HWS|JMM}}

==Publication history== '''1951-1969''' Books 1 to 15 were first published in hardback by Macdonald, featuring dust jacket artwork by [[James Broom-Lynne]] (1916-1995) '''1962-1969''' Books 1 to 13 only were published in paperback by Panther '''1984-1985''' Books 1 to 4 only were published in paperback by Zenith '''1984-1985''' Books 1 to 15 were re-printed in hardback by Macdonald '''1994-1999''' Books 1 to 15 published in paperback by Sutton '''2014''' Books 1 to 15 published by Faber Finds in paperback and ebook

==Critical response== [[Anthony Burgess]] included the novel series in his book ''[[Ninety-Nine Novels]] : The Best in English Since 1939''. Burgess states that "in general, the sequence has failed to engage the critical and public attention it merits. This has something to do, undoubtedly, with Williamson's political stance". Burgess describes Williamson's writing as "at times almost unbearably poignant" and that "Williamson's style is romantic, though rarely sentimental". He describes the volumes covering [[World War I]] as "one of the most encyclopedic fictional accounts we have", but that the later pro-Fascist tone is "highly disturbing, and (there is) an almost manic bitterness which is far from acceptable".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Burgess |first1=Anthony |title=Ninety-Nine Novels |date=1984 |publisher=Allison and Busby |page=46 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Ninety-nine-Novels-English-Personal-Choice/dp/0850315859}}</ref> "This, remember, is “chronicle”, its effect is achieved by narration supported by fact, without attempt to concoct dramatic moments, and it is all the more powerful for that. [This book] puts Mr. Williamson, as a writer on the First World War, where his “Tarka the Otter” put him as a nature-writer – in the first rank".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Phyllis |title=The Bookseller - Yorkshire Post |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/love-and-the-loveless?view=article&id=168:lov-e-and-the-loveless-critical-reception&catid=57:uncategorised |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=Newspaper |date=6 November 1958}}</ref> '''Phyllis Young (''The Bookseller'', ''Yorkshire Post'' - November 1958)'''

"Mr. Williamson paints in loving, meticulous detail all the rich and varied Victorian scene...Equally detailed are the many exquisite descriptions of birds and butterflies, the streets of London and the beauty of the outer suburbs. The nature writing betrays fine poetic sensitivity and all the many characters are vitally alive...Mr. Williamson reveals the perplexities and intimacies of their domestic life with candour, tenderness, and a deep insight into the complex emotions that sway the human heart. Infused throughout by a passionate sincerity this novel has all the quality of greatness in it, and as an interpretation of life rings true in every line".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mais |first1=S. P. B. |title=Oxford Mail |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-dark-lantern#crit |date=29 November 1951}}</ref> '''''Oxford Mail'' (S. P. B. Mais), 29 November 1951''' "Henry Williamson's "A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight" at last draws to its close. Both the social and the literary historian of the past 50 years can dredge from this vast serpentine roman fleuve innumerable treasures. Its flawed hero, Phillip Maddison, so arrogant, so vain, so domineering, is yet endowed with a surprising gift of tenderness towards anyone elevated to the privileged rank of comrade. In him Mr. Williamson has produced one of those fictional characters who have far more solidity than most of the people one encounters in real life. A masterpiece then? Alas, no. In this volume there are, as in all its predecessors, stagnant reaches of triviality beside those areas where the tide of narrative sweeps along deep, swift and clear. Uncomfortably one never ceases to be aware that the author is always working close to the diaries from which he even makes intermittent quotations; and one wonders, as the insignificant is piled on the inconsequential, whether he would not have done better merely to trust to the selectivity of memory. Yet, given some dramatic convulsion of nature – in this volume a flood in the West Country – or some no less dramatic convulsion in the life of his love-battered hero, Mr. Williamson is incomparable among modern novelists." '''''Sunday Telegraph'' (Francis King), 8 June 1969'''<ref>{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Francis |title=Sunday Telegraph |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/the-gale-of-the-world?view=article&id=362:the-gale-of-the-world-critical-reception&catid=65:bibliography |date=8 June 1969}}</ref>

==References== <references>

<ref name=HWS>{{citation |url=https://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/bibliography/a-lifes-work/a-chronicle-of-ancient-sunlight |title=A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight |publisher=The Henry Williamson Society}}</ref> <ref name=JMM>{{citation |title=The Novels of Henry Williamson |author=[[John Middleton Murry]] |year=1986 |isbn=9780950865201 |publisher=Henry Williamson Society}}</ref>

</references>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight}} [[Category:Book series introduced in 1951]] [[Category:British book series]] [[Category:Novel series]] [[Category:Novels by Henry Williamson]]