Description

Book Synopsis

WINNER OF THE SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARD

''Cusk combines humour and striking emotional honesty.''
Financial Times
''Cusk shows a brilliant, and often hilarious funny, aptitude for identifying surreal moments in social interaction.''
Evening Standard
''Cusk is a highly interesting, original writer and more unusually she is a joy to read.''
The Times

Stella Benson sets off for Hilltop, a tiny Sussex village housing a family that is somewhat larger than life. Her hopes for the Maddens may be high, but her station among them, as au pair to their irascible son Martin - is undeniably low. What could possibly have driven her to leave her home, job and life in London for such rural ignominy? Why has she severed all contact with her parents? Why is she so reluctant to talk about her past?

The Country Life
is a rich and subtle story about embarrassment, awkwardness and being alone; about families, or the lack of them; and about love in some peculiar guises.

The Country Life

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    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 14 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Rachel Cusk

    7 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

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      Publisher: Faber & Faber
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 16/05/2019
      ISBN13: 9780571350919, 978-0571350919
      ISBN10: 0571350917

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      WINNER OF THE SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARD

      ''Cusk combines humour and striking emotional honesty.''
      Financial Times
      ''Cusk shows a brilliant, and often hilarious funny, aptitude for identifying surreal moments in social interaction.''
      Evening Standard
      ''Cusk is a highly interesting, original writer and more unusually she is a joy to read.''
      The Times

      Stella Benson sets off for Hilltop, a tiny Sussex village housing a family that is somewhat larger than life. Her hopes for the Maddens may be high, but her station among them, as au pair to their irascible son Martin - is undeniably low. What could possibly have driven her to leave her home, job and life in London for such rural ignominy? Why has she severed all contact with her parents? Why is she so reluctant to talk about her past?

      The Country Life
      is a rich and subtle story about embarrassment, awkwardness and being alone; about families, or the lack of them; and about love in some peculiar guises.

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