The Worm Forgives the Plough

A beautiful lost classic of English countryside literature.

During the Second World War, John Stewart Collis left his comfortable academic life to work on the land for the war effort. Set in the south of England, his account comprises whatever happens to take his fancy, ranging from humorous sketches of the characters he works alongside, mini-essays such as “Contemplation upon Ants,” “Meditation while Singling Mangolds,” to celebrations of the earth worm, pea and potato. Exquisitely written, the book is an enchanting read.