Blott on the Landscape

Blott on the Landscape is a novel written in 1975 by Tom Sharpe. It was adapted into a 6-part television series, made by the BBC, in 1985. The story centres around the (attempted) construction of a motorway (the M101 in the book and the M399 in the film) through the Cleene Gorge in rural South Worfordshire (a fictitious gorge in a fictitious English county). At the heart of the gorge is Handyman Hall (again, fictitious), the residence of Sir Gile... more

Blott on the Landscape is a novel written in 1975 by Tom Sharpe. It was adapted into a 6-part television series, made by the BBC, in 1985. The story centres around the (attempted) construction of a motorway (the M101 in the book and the M399 in the film) through the Cleene Gorge in rural South Worfordshire (a fictitious gorge in a fictitious English county). At the heart of the gorge is Handyman Hall (again, fictitious), the residence of Sir Giles Lynchwood and his wife Lady Maud Lynchwood. Sir Giles is secretly in favour of the motorway as it will mean he will get a large compensation from the demolition of the hall, which he hates. Things are further complicated by the on-going marital problems between Sir Giles and Lady Maud. Lady Maud's family has lived in the gorge for "over 500 years" (as she likes saying throughout) and she has no plans on leaving. She also wants children, something which Sir Giles hates the thought of. Her most trusted ally in the events that follow is her... less