This is a compelling read, offering a glimpse into the life of a Black Country miner and a vivid snapshot of 1870's industrial Britain. Unremittingly bleak, Michael Cash's joyless existence plays out against a Mordoresque backdrop. Events are relayed in a staccato, spare style, words are fused, while the use of local dialect conveys a feeling of authenticity. A pacey and original story which brings history to life - brace yourself and try it.
In their stall, the two men worked the face of the wall with their pickaxes. Beads of sweat ran along every part of them. They shovelled their pickings into the small skip that was pulled along the tunnel by the young boys and girls.
Where's their families? He day need any more encouraging to provide his own boy with school so as to spare him from this. There was less of it in his old job, or perhaps he just saw less of it. Here he had any been two days and it was already tolling him.
The chokedamp mixed with lingering clouds of soot forced them to stop every so often and cough their lungs up.
