Gone to Earth

by Mary Gladys Meredith Webb

"Gone to Earth" by Mary Webb is a novel written in the early 20th century, specifically in 1917. The story revolves around a young girl named Hazel Woodus, who is portrayed with a wild, untamed spirit that connects her deeply to nature and the world around her. The narrative unfolds in a rural landscape laden with mystical elements and explores themes of identity, freedom, and the struggle against societal constraints. The opening of the novel paints a vivid picture of the cold, untouched beauty of the Callow, immersing readers in a poetic depiction of nature and introducing Hazel as a unique character who finds solace among the woods and animals. Hazel, whose mother was a Welsh gypsy, inherits a sense of wanderlust and a connection to the mystical traditions through a manuscript of spells left to her after her mother's death. As she interacts with her father Abel, displaying indifference towards each other, we see glimpses of their complex relationship. The chapter captures Hazel’s youthful innocence and longing for adventure, as well as her deep bond with a small fox, which highlights her connection to the wild. Through this opening, Webb establishes a sense of foreboding, hinting at the struggles Hazel will face as she seeks to navigate her place in a world that often feels threatening and restrictive.