A Month in the Country (New York Review Books Classics) by J.L. Carr, Michael Holroyd Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Month in the Country (New York Review Books Classics)
Book Review: A Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This wonderful book proves that a great book can be short. I have read the book many times, often in an afternoon, and I'm always completely taken into Carr's world. Birkin's uncovering of the mural and his own heart never fails to move me, and the love story is something exquisite and unique. I am very excited that it has been re-issued and hope that many more readers will discover it in future.Book Review: A Month in the Country
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book. Carr writes a dense, entertaining book in few words--a true gift.Book Review: A literary gem: J.L. Carr's "A Month in the Country"
Summary: 5 Stars
"A month in the Country" is a literary gem. A unique book which gathers in its 135 pages a wonderful, well told story full of poetry. A twitchy, unhappy and shellshocked veteran of WW I, Tom Birkin, arrives in Oxgodby, a village in Yorkshire, hired by the Vicar, to restore a mural painting in the local church. In the time it takes him to delicately uncover and shed light on what was the work of a medieval artist, Burkin heals himself, assisted by the discovery of love, friendship and a cast of wonderful but fundamentally flawed characters. He comes to terms with his past and is prepared for what appears to be a bittersweet future. Carr writes with a light touch while not superficial; subtle but clearly not tentative. Included are interesting observations of art, lyric descriptions of a glorious English summer and some hilarious moments in his relations with some of the villagers. He brings us along a story that unfolds like flowers slowly opening to the sun, offering many precious moments which linger in you mind and tug at your heart. Like many, finishing a book always makes me sad but in this particular case, I had not only read some extraordinary literature, I was also being cut me off from a group of people that had become my friends and I wanted to know more about them.Book Review: A man's troubled soul is unlocked by an ancient painting
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have seen the movie you will love the book.If you have read the book then you will love the movie.1920 England has slowly climbed out of the Great War and many are still finding their way in the aftermath of it all.Tom Birkin is an art restorationist who is called to the North English town of Oxgodby in order to uncover a 500 year old painting in the the nave of the village Church.There he is met with the most unusual likeable and unlikeable characters who are there to help,hinder or confuse Birkin during the hot summer months as he tirelessly and obsessively works to reveal a Judgment Scene that will play as the key to unlock his troubled heart and soul.J.L Carr's book is extremely intimate and personal,told more from the thoughts and observations of Birkin than dialogue from supporting characters.The 1987 film version is incredibly accurate and is extremely good in bringing out the subtleties of the book.I highly recommend both.Book Review: A somewhat peculiar book
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very well written, if peculiar little book. I did not find it so engrossing as some of your other reviewers, nor so fulfilling.