Anderson's Ground. — David Scott

Set on a Bedfordshire arable farm, the story of the evolving love between Bethany Anderson and John Fairbairn is told through four first person narratives taking place at approximately the same time on a May morning in 2006. The novel shows how the class system in the UK causes great mental damage to individuals, particularly to members of the controlled working class who are frequently denied access to education. The resultant mental damage includes depression, self-doubt and debasement. The novel highlights the contrast between youthful idealism and mature cynicism, and the eternal collision between members of different generations who have varying expectations of life. It presents love as the great emancipator and reconciler.