Ralph Ineson: The Gallows Pole by Ben Myers
Actor and narrator, Ralph Ineson recommends our Book of the Month with a superb tale of smuggling, suppression and retribution. Known for his rumbling, Yorkshire tones, it seems fitting that his recommended read is The Gallows Pole, set in the Yorkshire dales during the eighteenth century.
A few years ago, due to wobbly mental health, I was finding it hard to read for pleasure when a friend recommended The Gallows Pole. I was immediately captivated by Ben Myers’ writing, the world he creates, the way you can almost smell it as you read takes you so deeply in. The story follows ‘King’ David Hartley, head of an 18th century coin clipping operation (the modern day equivalent would be forged notes). He’s a working class hero, looking after his people in the Yorkshire dales as the industrial revolution leaves them behind.I love Ben’s writing so much I’ve recorded 3 of his subsequent novels as audiobooks, and The Gallows Pole has been adapted by one of the best living British filmmakers Shane Meadows (This is England, Dead Man’s Shoes) for a TV show next year.A stunning book with – in my humble opinion – one of literature’s greatest antiheroes, Long live king David!
Thank you, Ralph for choosing this title.
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