A Rural Affair

A good fun book to listen to that flows along easily. Good story. One to go for if you want something easy and gentle.

13 people found this helpful

a rural affair

this was one of the best books I have purchased for a long time. it is begging to be made into a film, made me laugh out loud.

11 people found this helpful

A mixed bag

I liked the story, but there were several (too many) instances of troubling detail. For example, the use of the term "educationally subnormal", which I haven't heard since the 1970s and even then it was the height of rudeness and out of date. Several outmoded turns of phrase being attributed to young (pre-middle-aged) characters I found stalling.
Other reviewers have questioned the inclusion of graphic descriptions of fox hunting and the lauding of that (illegal) enterprise. A challenge.
A shame, because I found the character development and the central plot to be compelling and realistic. Several important themes were included, various forms of and reactions to infidelities for example. And an awful lot was said about class without strictly speaking about class. Interesting.
It hasn't put me off reading more of this author, but I wasn't able to escape into it as I might usually hope.

9 people found this helpful

One not to be missed if you want an enjoyable tale

After reading previous reviews I thought I'd give this book a try hoping it would match up to its expectations.
I needn't have worried, yes some people would say it was "CHICKLIT"
but I dont care!
If a book can give you enjoyment the way this one did & I was able too present it with a Prize for its genre, ,i'd match it along side Jane Austins Classic "Pride & Prejudice" in the way this is given 'Top Marks' in its genre!
Lets put it this way, the storyline was good in that it kept me interested in not just "Poppys" life but all the characters who were intertwined along with her! Yes there were different sides to this story covering friendships, low self esteem, rage, irony & finally humour!
Alison Reids delivery was excellent to the extent that I woke my betterhalf up in bed giving him the impression I was seemingly chuckling into thin air, as I had my headphones on, & he had to give me a nudge to get me too stop!

Catherine Alliott will definitely be on my list of authors to look out & hopefully yours too when you give this story a try....

7 people found this helpful

Predictable, cliched, and inconsistent

This book didn't seem to know what it was about. It jumped from one set of ideals to another in an unrealistic way. Moreover, the love interest, and the development of that relationship, was ludicrous. I guess it was okay as an 'easy listen', but if you are going for this genre (I do not condemn chick-lit, only bad writing!) check out Jojo Moyes or Graeme Simsion for a bit more substance and/or humour!

Despite not being thrilled with the content, I thought the narration was fine :)

5 people found this helpful

Not for me

Couldn't get on with the story and characterisation. Didn't make it to the end without skipping bits. Very typical chick lit. Also found the addition of country life and hunting was really not for me... any writer that can throw into a story such a casual comment about something so hideous and cruel as cubbing is not a writer that I particularly want to read.

3 people found this helpful

Light read with some funny parts

What did you like most about A Rural Affair?

It was a lovely story about a girl I could identify with. Everything she does goes wrong but she comes right in the end. With some funny moments along the way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Poppy and her father

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The hunt and the ball

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh

Any additional comments?

A nice holiday read with a few funny moments especially when her husbands dies

7 people found this helpful

so awful..

what an insult to anyones intelligence. absolute drivel and even gives chic lit a bad name

2 people found this helpful

Okay but longish boring bits

The story was well read by Alison Reid but there wasn't really a lot for her to work with. Very predictable with well worn stereotypical characters. Very fluffy and light. Absolutely fine if that's what you want but not for me.

2 people found this helpful

Disappointing and confusing genre

It's been a while since I felt so much disdain for the main protagonist of any book. Was it supposed to be funny? It certainly didn't make me laugh. Was it supposed to be earnest and heartfelt? I was detached and unmoved. I found myself embarrassed by the underdeveloped characterisation and sudden love story that seemed to emerge out of nothing. The author seems to make light of child neglect and fox hunting. I was mildly entertained but very much looking forward to getting it finished and starting a new book.

2 people found this helpful