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Books matching: british countryside setting

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  1. #1
    Equoid
    Book 4 in the series:Laundry Files

    Equoid - Laundry Files by Charles Stross
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    Equoid, a novella in the Laundry Files series by Charles Stross, delves into the dark horrors of eldritch creatures lurking in the UK countryside. Stross masterfully combines mythology, Lovecraftian weirdness, and government bureaucracy to reveal the truth behind the unicorn legend. Through a blend of modern storytelling and literary homage, the book follows protagonist Bob Howard as he navigates through a world filled with action, gore, and pop culture references, all while uncovering the unsettling secrets of the unicorn phenomenon.

    Stross intricately weaves together past and present narratives, drawing from sources like H.P. Lovecraft and pop culture references to create a gripping tale that explores the biological underpinnings of the unicorn myth. Equoid stands out as a worthy addition to the Laundry Files series, showcasing the author's unique writing style that seamlessly blends horror, humor, and sheer terror, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

    Those thirteen words never bode well—although coming from my new manager, Iris, they’re less doom-laden than if they were falling from the lips of some others I could name. In the two months I’ve been...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Laundry Files )

  2. #2

    On the Black Hill by Bruce Chatwin
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    "On the Black Hill" by Bruce Chatwin is a novel that follows the lives of twin brothers, Lewis and Benjamin Jones, who spend their entire lives on their family farm in Wales. The book covers a span of almost a century, from the early 1900s to the 1980s, capturing the twins' experiences, challenges, and relationships with vivid descriptions of rural life. Chatwin's writing style is described as beautifully descriptive, capturing the essence of the Welsh countryside and the characters' emotions and thoughts in a lyrical and compelling manner.

    The bedstead, an oak four-poster, came from their mother’s home at Bryn-Draenog when she married in 1899. Its faded cretonne hangings, printed with a design of larkspur and roses, shut out the mosquit...

  3. #3

    Class by Jilly Cooper
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    'Class' by Jilly Cooper is a humorous and insightful exploration of the English class system, filled with clever turns of phrase and witty observations. The book delves into the nuances of different social classes, poking gentle fun at societal distinctions and stereotypes. The writing style is described as caustic, mean, and right on the money, with characters and scenarios that elicit laughter and reflection from readers.


  4. #4

    The Case of the Dotty Dowager - WISE Enquiries Agency Mystery by Cathy Ace
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    "The Case of the Dotty Dowager" by Cathy Ace follows the WISE Enquiries Agency, comprised of four women from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and England, who work together to solve cases. The plot involves a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a body in a Duke's home, with the women detectives using their unique skills and backgrounds to uncover the truth. The writing style is described as full of promise, with a fun plot that introduces readers to interesting historical facts like Waterloo teeth. However, some readers found the delivery method lacking immersion as the story was mostly told rather than shown.


  5. #5
    Thrush Green
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Thrush Green

    Thrush Green - Thrush Green by Miss Read
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    Thrush Green by Miss Read is a cozy portrayal of 1950s life in a Cotswold village, focusing on a single spring day when the annual fair arrives in town. The book introduces various characters and their interconnected lives, from the sad, jilted fiancee and her nephew to the young village doctor attending to measles cases. The Curdle family and their traveling fair also play a significant role in the series, adding a touch of excitement to the village's routine.

    At last—at last, Paul told himself, it was the first day of May! And at this point he sat up in bed, said "White Rabbits!" aloud, to bring luck throughout the coming month, and looked eagerly out of t...

  6. #6

    The Hills is Lonely by Lillian Beckwith
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    "The Hills is Lonely" by Lillian Beckwith is a fictionalized memoir of the author's experiences living on a remote island in the Hebrides during the mid-20th century. The author's approach in the book is described as condescending towards the inhabitants, with a focus on the English middle-class mindset between the World Wars. The narrative provides a fascinating insight into the author's interactions with the natives, her struggles with learning Gaelic, and the cultural differences she encounters.

    If you have never experienced a stormy winter’s night in the Hebrides, you can have no idea of the sort of weather which I encountered when I arrived, travel-worn and weary, at the deserted little jet...

  7. #7

    Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield
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    Diary of a Provincial Lady is a humorous and engaging account of a wife and mother's life in the English countryside in the 1930s. The protagonist, an unnamed member of the gentry, narrates the daily trials of balancing household management, social obligations, and personal aspirations in a satirical yet relatable manner. Through witty diary entries, the book offers insights into the protagonist's struggles with money worries, unruly servants, eccentric neighbors, and the challenges of maintaining societal expectations while dealing with domestic mishaps and social disasters.

    November 7th. – Plant the indoor bulbs. Just as I am in the middle of them, Lady Boxe calls. I say, untruthfully, how nice to see her, and beg her to sit down while I just finish the bulbs. Lady B. ma...

  8. #8

    Cold Comfort Farm - Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
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    In "Cold Comfort Farm," Flora Poste, a society girl left with a modest inheritance, decides to seek refuge with her eccentric relatives at Cold Comfort Farm. The Starkadders, a quirky and dysfunctional family, live on the farm under the rule of the matriarch, Aunt Ada Doom, who is haunted by a childhood experience in the woodshed. Flora, reminiscent of a modern-day Emma, takes it upon herself to bring order and change to the chaotic lives of the Starkadders and the inhabitants of Howling town, all while navigating the satirical and whimsical elements sprinkled throughout the story.

    The book is a delightful parody of English Victorian novels, filled with romance, humor, and exaggerated characters set against a dreary yet comedic atmosphere. Stella Gibbons skillfully weaves a tale that combines elements of Austen and Dickens with her unique style, creating a humorous and entertaining narrative that explores themes of class relations, societal norms, and the clash between urban sophistication and rural eccentricity.

    The education bestowed on Flora Poste by her parents had been expensive, athletic and prolonged; and when they died within a few weeks of one another during the annual epidemic of the influenza or Spa...

  9. #9

    Lark Rise to Candleford - Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson
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    'Lark Rise to Candleford' by Flora Thompson is a semi-fictional memoir that transports readers to rural England in the late 19th century. Through the eyes of Laura, the author provides a detailed and authentic view of daily life in hamlets like Lark Rise and villages like Candleford. The narrative captures the essence of rural poverty, working-class struggles, social dynamics, and the transition of English countryside during a time of significant change.

    The writing style of 'Lark Rise to Candleford' is described as a mix of autobiography and social commentary, offering a poignant and nostalgic look at a disappearing way of life. Flora Thompson's narrative is rich in detail, providing vivid descriptions of the habits, celebrations, social structure, and traditions of the villagers. serves as a time capsule that chronicles the minutiae of daily lives, from the games children played to the importance of the pig, painting a picture of Victorian rural England that is both informative and picturesque.

    The hamlet stood on a gentle rise in the flat, wheat-growing north-east corner of Oxfordshire. We will call it Lark Rise because of the great number of skylarks which made the surrounding fields their...

  10. #10

    All Creatures Great and Small - All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
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    "All Creatures Great and Small" by James Herriot is a heartwarming collection of stories about the author's experiences as a country veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s. Through a series of short stories, readers are introduced to the animals, the country folk, and the challenges faced by a young vet in a rural setting. Herriot's writing style blends humor, warmth, and genuine storytelling to transport readers back in time to the beautiful English countryside.

    The book not only focuses on the veterinary cases and adventures of James Herriot but also delves into his personal life, relationships, and interactions with the quirky characters of the Yorkshire Dales. The stories are charming, humorous, and at times poignant, providing a delightful glimpse into the life of a country vet and the animals he cares for, all set against the backdrop of a bygone era in rural England.

    I lay face down on the cobbled floor in a pool of nameless muck, my arm deep inside the straining cow, my feet scrabbling for a toe hold between the stones. I was stripped to the waist and the snow mi...

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