1983 The Cone-Gatherers - Robin Jenkins (Penguin)

Good for age some spotting on edges and one creased page. 

*The Cone Gatherers* is a novel by Scottish writer Robin Jenkins, first published in 1955. Set during World War II, it is widely regarded as one of Jenkins` most significant works and is often studied in Scottish schools. The novel addresses themes of class conflict, good versus evil, human nature, and the effects of war, through a deeply symbolic and tragic narrative.

### Plot Overview:
The story takes place on a Scottish estate during World War II, where two brothers, Neil and Calum, are employed as cone gatherers, collecting pine cones to help with reforestation. The brothers live in a hut in the forest and are of low social standing, in stark contrast to the estate’s landowners, Lady Runcie-Campbell and her family.

Calum, who has a hunchback and is mentally simple but kind-hearted, has a deep connection with nature and is sensitive to the world around him. His older brother, Neil, is more practical and bitter about their lowly status and the unjust treatment they face from the estate’s upper-class inhabitants.

The main antagonist of the novel is Duror, the gamekeeper of the estate, who is deeply disturbed and harbors an intense hatred for the brothers, particularly Calum. Duror`s hatred stems from his own internal torment and sense of entrapment in a loveless marriage, and Calum`s innocence and deformity become an obsession for him. As the story unfolds, Duror`s mental state deteriorates, and his hostility towards the brothers escalates with tragic consequences.

### Themes:
1. **Good vs. Evil**: One of the novel`s central themes is the struggle between good and evil, as symbolized by the characters of Calum and Duror. Calum represents innocence and purity, while Duror embodies inner corruption and malevolence. Jenkins explores the nature of evil as something that festers within a person due to personal suffering and psychological conflict.

2. **Class Conflict**: The novel highlights the stark divisions between the working class, represented by the brothers, and the upper class, represented by Lady Runcie-Campbell and her family. Neil`s resentment over their social position underscores the broader injustices of a hierarchical society, where wealth and power often go