As befits a story about men and boys, this book is dedicated to my wonderful son, Jack. But also to my father, Michael Paulson-Ellis. During its writing my father and I spent some months exploring his family tree, where we discovered several ancestors we hadn’t fully known before (including some WWI soldiers) and I learned a lot more about him. Sadly, while my father was there at the start of this book, he didn’t live to see its end. And yet, he runs through it still. Thank you, Dad, for introducing me to books, to history, to the love of reading and finding out how people used to live. And, of course, for your love and support always. Wherever you are now, this book is my memorial to you.
The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing
MARY PAULSON-ELLIS lives in Edinburgh. She has an MLitt in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow and was awarded the inaugural Curtis Brown Prize for Fiction in 2009 and the Maverick Award from the Tom McGrath Trust in 2011. Her critically acclaimed debut, The Other Mrs Walker, reached number three in The Times paperback fiction chart. The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing is her second novel.
Also by Mary Paulson-Ellis
THE OTHER MRS WALKER
First published 2019 by Mantle
This electronic edition first published 2019 by Mantle
an imprint of Pan Macmillan
20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-1-4472-9397-2
Copyright © Mary Paulson-Ellis 2019
Photographs: Coat; Jeff Cottenden, Feather; Shutterstock, Cover design: Ami Smithson, Mantle art department
The right of Mary Paulson-Ellis to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damage.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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