‘John Musgrave’s Corsica Girl is an engaging novel weaving themes of love and loss with the indomitable spirit of a rural tradition facing extinction. Set in the Welsh high country this pro-hunting novel offers a vivid portrayal of a world where tradition and modernity clash; a world where human courage shines brightest in the face of adversity.’ Philo O’Hare, Fox Views
The story follows Iona Cresseaux, who fled a troubled childhood in Norfolk. She found happiness in a whirlwind romance with a young Foreign Legion officer. They married but tragedy ensued when her husband was killed in Afghanistan.
Returning to Britain, she rebuilds her life among the farming-hunting folk of remote Wales. Local people adopt the aloof yet pretty young widow calling her ‘Corsica Girl.’
A vivid picture of a stark, remote moors, hills and forest one minute and convivial log-fire pubs the next, emerges. Here in her mountain fastness Iona finds a measure of solace. Through her role as a trail layer for the Border Valley Foxhounds, the novel explores the contentious topic of hunting with insight gained by direct experience, making it a story not just about hunting, but about resilience and the fight for identity.
When militant saboteur group, Red Claw, takes the hunt to court, Iona has a choice to make. Living on illegal identity papers, she thinks she faces deportation. Worse still, if convicted, the Border Valley Foxhounds face closure.
What sets Corsica Girl apart is a riotous cast of characters, from phlegmatic farmers to spirited pony club kids, special forces soldiers and an ex-legionnaire. Wildly different they may be but they embody the strength and humour of rural life. Support for the countryside and its people shines through, offering a poignant reminder of the value of tradition and togetherness in an increasingly fractured world.
“Corsica Girl is more than a novel about hunting; it’s a story of endurance, redemption, and the unbreakable bonds that unite people who struggle together. Whether you’re a country enthusiast or simply a lover of compelling storytelling, this book is a must-read. With its richly drawn characters and gripping narrative, it’s a triumphant ode to the countryside and the human spirit.” Charlie Raeynard, Chase FM.