I have read 2 books by James Rebanks, the husband of the above author. ‘The Shepherd’s Life’ and ‘English Pastoral’ are both excellent reads, written in a cogent and pleasing style and mainly autobiographical. Both books though do have an agenda that the author wants to communicate and that is concerning sustainable farming and our use and abuse of nature in general and farmland in particular.
So I wondered how I would enjoy the first literary offering from his wife. Firstly, it is a beautifully produced book by Faber … my favourite publisher as it happens and the (limited) artwork is lovely. I would have been very happy with more black and white drawings to illustrate the various domestic goings on of the book. I would have to say that I don’t think she is as good a writer as her husband but I did enjoy the book; an easy, fast read.
Time wise the book hops around a little. I can imagine that her editor did not want something that was totally linear. It just about works I think. Helen Rebanks lets us into her farming world and shares with us the juggling skills that most mothers would recognise although most of us are spared the remoteness of a Cumbrian fell farm and the inevitable business of dealing with lambing in the freezing cold.
I have read a book with a similar slant by the shepherd Amanda Owens. This one is far more emotional with Helen Rebanks noting on more than one occasion how she struggles to look as if she is keeping all the balls in the air when actually she feels she is failing on all fronts. Well, a working mother’s lot maybe.
This is a memoir I would call it, with interspersed recipes that form part of the narrative. The recipes are straightforward and not fussy. I will try some of them. This is a slightly premature thought but I would be happy to receive this book as a Christmas present.