The Corner That Held Them

First edition (publ. Chatto & Windus)

The Corner that Held Them is a novel by English writer Sylvia Townsend Warner, first published in 1948. It details the life of and lives inside a convent, from its establishment in the 12th century through to 1382. The plot involves the Black Death and multiple narratives that do not combine into a plot. The novel was originally published by Chatto & Windus with the American edition being published by Viking Press. It is Warner's favorite novel that she wrote. The novel explores whether a community run by women is able to exist under patriarchy through portrayals of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Warner typed 58 pages for an unfinished sequel that was spread between four gatherings. The novel was reviewed favourably by Rachel Mann and Hermione Hoby.