Verena Sladen

Gabble, Bird and Stone: a Novel Verena Sladen

Three lives that span the twentieth century. Gavin, Joyce and Esmond are Gabble, Bird and Stone, two brothers and their sister who have seen it all, from exotic childhood in the India of the Raj to penurious old age in the cruel England of the Thatcher eighties. Their story begins in 1913, in Bombay before the first world war, against a background of wealth and privilege. Neglected by their parents, the childen run wild in their paradise garden. When next encountered they are are adults in utility England of 1947. Gabble has grown up to have an army career, Bird married, with children of her own, and Stone the youngest, a bachelor, self-involved and solitary. The three are last seen in old age in 1982, living under one roof, ancient eccentrics ending as they began, together. A novel of character, with minute descriptive detail, GABBLE, BIRD AND STONE opens a window on more than one vanished world. Kate Kellaway of The Sunday Observer writes: GABBLE, BIRD AND STONE is an engaging and moving novel. I found it a highly enjoyable read. Verena Sladen has a great sense of both the exotic and domestic and travels from one to the other with ease.