Ben Myers

Benjamin Myers is a British author and journalist known for literary fiction and nature writing that often explores themes of landscape, rural life, and the darker aspects of northern England. His work includes both novels and non-fiction, with notable books like The Gallows Pole, The Offing, and Under the Rock. Myers began his career as a music journalist in London before moving to rural Yorkshire and shifting his focus to fiction writing. His breakthrough came with the novel Beastings (2014), which won the Portico Prize for Literature, followed by The Gallows Pole (2017) winning the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. The author's writing style combines historical research with poetic prose and an acute sense of place, particularly evident in his portrayal of Yorkshire landscapes and communities. His non-fiction work includes pieces for publications such as The Guardian and New Statesman, often focusing on nature, countryside issues, and the intersection of landscape and culture. Myers continues to produce both fiction and non-fiction from his base in the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire. His most recent works include the novels The Perfect Golden Circle (2022) and Male Tears (2021), maintaining his exploration of rural themes and historical narratives.

Readers appreciate Myers' atmospheric depictions of Northern England's landscapes and his focus on working-class characters. On Goodreads, they highlight his ability to blend regional history with fiction, particularly in The Gallows Pole and Under the Rock. Readers point to his raw, unflinching portrayals of violence and hardship while maintaining poetic elements in his prose. Multiple reviews note his skill at writing dialogue in Yorkshire dialect without it becoming difficult to follow. Common criticisms include slow pacing in the first third of his novels and occasional overuse of metaphors. Some readers find his darker themes and graphic content off-putting. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: The Gallows Pole (3.9/5 from 1,800+ ratings) The Perfect Golden Circle (3.7/5 from 500+ ratings) These Darkening Days (3.8/5 from 200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.3/5 average across all titles LibraryThing: 4.1/5 average

The Offing - A post-World War II story of a teenage boy meeting an eccentric older woman in Yorkshire who introduces him to poetry and fine food.

The Gallows Pole - Historical novel based on the true story of the Cragg Vale Coiners, a group of 18th-century counterfeiters in Yorkshire.

Beastings - Tale of a mute girl who flees across the northern fells with a baby she has stolen, pursued by a priest.

Pig Iron - Chronicles the life of John-John Wisdom, a young traveler trying to escape his father's violent legacy.

Richard - Fictional account of Richard Edwards, the lost member of the Manic Street Preachers.

These Darkening Days - Crime novel following an investigation into a series of attacks in a Yorkshire valley.

Turning Blue - Detective story about the search for a missing girl in the Yorkshire Dales.

Male Tears - Collection of short stories examining masculinity and male experience in northern England.

Under the Rock - Non-fiction work exploring the history, nature, and mythology of Scout Rock in West Yorkshire.