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 hand-in-hand with moral superiority in the eyes of the upper class.

3. **Nature and Humanity**: The natural world plays a significant role in the novel, especially in its contrast with the human capacity for cruelty. While Calum finds solace and beauty in nature, Duror’s violent tendencies towards animals foreshadow his actions towards humans. The forest, in many ways, becomes a symbolic battlefield between good and evil forces.

4. **War and Its Impact**: Though set in wartime, the novel does not focus directly on the conflict but rather on the psychological and moral effects of war. The war serves as a backdrop, with the estate's isolation and the brothers’ work for the war effort creating a microcosm for broader themes of violence, destruction, and moral decay.

5. **Innocence and Sacrifice**: Calum’s childlike innocence and his connection to nature place him in stark contrast to Duror’s moral corruption. Calum’s eventual fate can be interpreted as a Christ-like sacrifice, with his death becoming a catalyst for moral reckoning among the other characters.

### Key Characters:
- **Calum**: A physically deformed but kind and gentle man who loves nature. His innocence makes him a target for Duror's wrath.
- **Neil**: Calum's protective brother, more worldly and embittered by the inequality they face.
- **Duror**: The novel’s primary antagonist, a mentally unbalanced gamekeeper whose hatred for Calum grows into a murderous obsession.
- **Lady Runcie-Campbell**: The aristocratic landowner torn between her Christian principles and her social prejudices. She embodies the conflict between duty and compassion.
- **Roderick Runcie-Campbell**: Lady Runcie-Campbell's son, who sees the inherent injustice in the treatment of the brothers and is sympathetic towards them, though powerless to change their fate.

### Symbolism:
- **The Deer Hunt**: A key scene in the novel involves a deer hunt in which Calum attempts to save a wounded deer. The hunt becomes a potent symbol of the violence and cruelty that lurk beneath the surface of civilization and foreshadows the novel’s tragic climax.
- **The Cones**: The brothers’ task of gathering cones symbolizes both life and regeneration. In contrast to the destructive forces of war and hatred, the cones represent hope for the future, a cyclical renewal of life despite the tragedy around them.

### Ending:
The novel’s tragic climax is rooted in Duror’s escalating madness and hatred for Calum. As Duror’s mental state collapses, he ultimately murders Calum in an act of senseless violence. The novel ends with Duror's suicide, underscoring the destructiveness of unchecked evil and internal suffering.

### Themes of Moral Complexity:
Jenkins does not present simple moral binaries in *The Cone Gatherers* but instead explores the complexities of human nature. Characters like Lady Runcie-Campbell struggle with their sense of duty versus their moral failings, and even Duror, as the embodiment of evil, is portrayed as a deeply troubled man, shaped by circumstances beyond his control.

### Reception and Legacy:
*The Cone Gatherers* is widely regarded as one of Robin Jenkins' masterpieces. Its themes of class conflict, the nature of good and evil, and the devastating effects of war resonate with readers, making it a staple in Scottish literature and school curricula. The novel’s exploration of moral complexity, psychological depth, and its symbolic richness contribute to its lasting significance.

In conclusion, *The Cone Gatherers* is a powerful, symbolic novel that delves deeply into human nature, social injustice, and the capacity for both goodness and cruelty. Through its tragic narrative, it leaves readers with a profound meditation on morality, sacrifice, and the enduring impact of class and war.