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42 pages 1 hour read

A Month in the Country

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

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Book Brief

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J.L. Carr

A Month in the Country

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980
Book Details
Pages

135

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Oxgodby, England • 1920s

Theme
Publication Year

1980

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

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Super Short Summary

A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr tells the story of Thomas Birkin, a World War One veteran and recent divorcé, who is hired to restore a medieval mural in a Yorkshire church. As he painstakingly uncovers the mural, Birkin forms connections with the local community and confronts his traumatic past and crumbling marriage, finding healing and solace in the remote rural setting. Themes of war trauma and the ramifications of repressive attitudes regarding sexual orientation are present.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Serene

Reviews & Readership

4.3

23,121 ratings

79%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

J.L. Carr's A Month in the Country is widely praised for its poignant and evocative storytelling. Readers appreciate its lyrical prose and deeply reflective narrative. However, some note its slow pacing and sparse plot. Overall, it’s seen as a beautifully crafted meditation on healing and human connection, though it may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Month in the Country?

A reader who enjoys A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr likely appreciates subtle, character-driven narratives with themes of healing and nostalgia. Fans of pastoral settings, quiet introspection, and understated literary prose, akin to those found in Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day or L.P. Hartley's The Go-Between, will find this book compelling.

4.3

23,121 ratings

79%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

135

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Oxgodby, England • 1920s

Theme
Publication Year

1980

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

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