REVIEWS
Review by Robert Campbell
LINK TO REVIEW For Western Morning News and Western Daily Press
Review by Ian Marchant, Author
LINK TO REVIEW For Broad Sheep Arts Listing, September 2024
Review by Rob Christie
It's not often that I start reading a book and find myself unable to stop until I reach the end.
Rachel paints here on the same rural and small town canvas as in her first book, The Long Acre. There are some familiar characters and some new arrivals, but there is a broader moral and political brush: the future of farming, of rural communities, of humanity in general, against the power of Big Money and the underlying threat of climate change. The tale is told, as always, with the author's quiet but distinctive voice and gentle sense of humour. I loved it, of course.
Rob lives in a small Welsh town, between the Radnor Hills and the Brecon Beacons. He is a member of Shakespeare Link at the Willow Globe and the author of "Spinner", Merlinsbury", and "Sybil Aquarius".
Review by Lillias Guyon
I began yesterday, finished today. It draws you in... the place around you being so central, along with mystery and
characters. Place is something important to the fabric of all our lives, how are we to manage it? I did just need to jump into and be surrounded with what would happen.
There is a timelessness about the story... someone has trainers on, just when sometimes you are nearly lulled into thinking bygone times.
I was particularly excited to read the foxes brief take over of the narrative .
Lillias lives in a village on the edge of Dartmoor. She is an artist and owner/creator at The Country Child's Company, producing hand painted lamp shades and special gifts for children.
Review by Carolyn Cardwell/ Goodreads
There are several reasons why I enjoyed this book so much. Firstly it is so beautifully written that you could enjoy it just for the flow of the words, the fresh turns of phrase and the ways the characters are painted. Then you are transported to the world of the farming, the deep commitment of people who are connected over generations to the land and you begin to appreciate a life which might be quite far removed from your own. The author has a way of writing which really makes you feel what the characters feel and to care about what they care about. Personally it has helped me understand a bit more the dilemmas related to climate change, the tyranny of capitalism and the fact that there are solutions.
So somehow this author is able to weave into this story some very serious and complex themes, so, as well as really enjoying an absorbing read.