Lark Rise to Candleford

I remember a teacher regularly reading Mill on the Floss to us. She must have read it so many times over the years but she still became emotional.

I loved the book, and the first series was lovely.
Another book/series combo I really enjoyed from a million years ago was The Camomile Lawn.

The books are a trilogy, Lark Rise Over to Candleford and Candleford Green, first written in 1939 I believe. I'd read them before the TV series but I loved the screen version.

The book is currently starring in a story from Ambridge. Susan. It’s a charming plot

I read Winifred Foley books too.

And Mill on the Floss, A Country Child, so many others which may need re-reading.

And it's a reminder that we should write down our memories and those of our parents and grandparents. It's something I mean to do as I research family history.

It is quite beautiful MayBee. About rural Suffolk .

Yes I did read it, but have no memory of it which is embarrassing.

MrsKen33

Has anyone read ‘Akenfield’ ? Just marvellous

I really don’t know. If I did it would have been borrowed from a library as I don’t own a copy. I need to find out because if it one that I didn’t read I need to read it now!

Has anyone read ‘Akenfield’ ? Just marvellous

I don't remember my grandparents but my parents did have a country upbringing in the early part of the 1900s.

We always think we should have asked more questions before it was too late.

I have Juliet27 also 'The mill on the floss* both lovely books

Juliet27

The Country Child - Alison Uttley was another book I enjoyed many years ago

Oh yes. And Winifred Foley books, too. When my mum died suddenly I was so upset that I’d never asked her about her childhood that I read every book I could get my hands on about Edwardian childhoods.

The Country Child - Alison Uttley was another book I enjoyed many years ago

Has anyone read or watched My Uncle Silas?

Yes my ancient Uncle Sam died at 98 in the 60s and Aunt Anne died in the late 50s. So well within their memory. Their lives were of another age, particularly living deep within the Cornish countryside, where change happened very slowly at that time.

The time period is about the 1880s, I think, Whitewave.

I was thinking that this book took place at the cusp of the 20th century and is within our memories of what we were told of life by our grandparents and g/grandparents who lived then.

Mine lived in Cornwall and my g/grandfather on my paternal side was a village postman in a village called Lanteglos as was my grandfather on my maternal side for part of his life, in Delabole. Their lives were very similar to what you read in these books. I remember some very ancient g/aunts and uncles whose cottage was entirely Victorian. They always had afternoon tea with a lacy table cloth and bread and butter and cake.

Yes it is an autobiography. Flora Thompson is Laura.

Nannarose

The book did not sugar coat the reality of rural life at such a time of change; neither was it a 'misery memoir'. I have reasons for thinking it quite accurate.
Calistemon - that's very interesting.
However, if you're after quite a sweet, not-too-far-removed from reality picture of rural Victorian England, it's good.

I won't elaborate as it might spoil it for some viewers! Not that it is anything nasty but, as I said, it is based on the truth, not fairytales, but people are changed slightly.

The book did not sugar coat the reality of rural life at such a time of change; neither was it a 'misery memoir'. I have reasons for thinking it quite accurate.
Calistemon - that's very interesting.
However, if you're after quite a sweet, not-too-far-removed from reality picture of rural Victorian England, it's good.

We ought to have a simple list with short synopsis on good winter viewing

Wolf Hall was so good HelterSkelter superb acting all round, another one to revisit methinks

silverlining48

I read the book years ago and lent it to someone who never returned it. The book had lovely illustrations if I recall. Also enjoyed the tv series.

Was that me? I have a copy I can’t remember who I borrowed it off

I love both the BBC tv series on DVD of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and the book equally. The series was so true to the book. Likewise Wolf Hall.

Lots of good winter afternoon viewing suggested above.

There is always a division between book readers and TV watchers in any adaptation. I've found it in many series I've watched after reading the book. I just accept that maybe characters or incidents in the book have to change and not everything can be included in a TV production and just enjoy what I'm watching for what it is