The Tivington Nott

The Tivington Nott follows a young laborer who becomes involved as a second horseman in the traditional stag hunts of Somerset, near England's Exmoor region. The story draws from Alex Miller's personal experiences in the area during his youth. Set against the backdrop of rural English hunting culture, the narrative centers on the pursuit of an exceptional black stag known as the Tivington Nott. The novel depicts the complex relationships between hunters, horses, and the hunted, while capturing the customs and social dynamics of Somerset's countryside. The text explores universal themes of youth, belonging, and the raw connection between humans and nature. It examines how traditional ways of life persist in modern times, and considers the moral dimensions of hunting as both sport and cultural practice.

Readers describe The Tivington Nott as a vivid portrayal of hunting and rural life in 1950s England. The book has limited reviews online due to its relatively small release. Readers appreciate: - Authentic details about fox hunting and horsemanship - Descriptions of Somerset countryside and weather - Character development of the teenage protagonist - Historical accuracy of post-war village life Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in early chapters - Heavy use of hunting terminology that can confuse non-equestrian readers - Limited plot development beyond hunting scenes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (23 ratings) Amazon AU: 4/5 (6 reviews) Notable reader comment from Goodreads: "A masterclass in descriptive writing about landscape and weather, but the story itself feels secondary to the hunting sequences." No ratings available on Amazon US or UK due to limited international distribution.

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🦌 The novel draws from Alex Miller's own experiences working as a second horseman for the Devon and Somerset Staghounds in the 1950s. 🏰 Exmoor, the novel's setting, has been a royal hunting ground since before the Norman Conquest of 1066, with organized stag hunting documented there for over 1,000 years. 📖 This was Alex Miller's first novel, published in 1989, though he went on to win multiple prestigious awards including two Miles Franklin Literary Awards for later works. 🐎 The position of "second horseman" was a crucial role in traditional English stag hunting, responsible for tracking deer and maintaining the hunting hounds. 🌿 Despite being born in England, author Alex Miller is considered one of Australia's most prominent writers, having emigrated there at age 16 as part of the "Big Brother Movement" migration scheme.