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A Rural Affair
- Narrated by: Alison Reid
- Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Women's Fiction
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Summary
Newly widowed Poppy Shilling should be feeling distraught at the death of her husband, Phil. But, instead, she can’t help feeling relieved. No longer will she have to endure Phil’s iron fist ruling over her and their two young children, or his unfortunate penchant for Lycra cycling wear.
And when a secret is revealed after his death, Poppy’s memories of their life together are turned upside down. Freed from her loveless marriage, Poppy is determined not to make the same mistakes again.
As she embraces village life to the full, will Poppy have the courage to follow her heart? It’s time for a new beginning, and a chance to discover what real love feels like….
Alison Reid reads this hilarious, heartwarming novel from bestselling author Catherine Alliott.
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What listeners say about A Rural Affair
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Amanda
- 18-07-12
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.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Jean Protheroe
- 16-11-12
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.
9 people found this helpful
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- Shoshana
- 09-12-19
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term "educationally subnormal", which I haven't heard since the 1970s and even then it was the height of rudeness and out of date.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.
5 people found this helpful
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- siouxiebloo
- 06-08-15
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....
5 people found this helpful
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- Lucie
- 27-07-16
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 :)
3 people found this helpful
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- Suz
- 08-07-13
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
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- Miss S.
- 18-04-20
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.
2 people found this helpful
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- Kay
- 09-10-20
so awful..
what an insult to anyones intelligence. absolute drivel and even gives chic lit a bad name
1 person found this helpful
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- Claire bear
- 21-04-20
An adorable, quirky listen go for it !
Absolutely perfect listen for the lockdown! Village , rural life at it’s most levelling . Just the tonic, witty, realistic thoughts and plausible. It will make you smile , snigger and sympathise all at once .
It was a joy ..
1 person found this helpful
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- G. Walton
- 23-09-16
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.
1 person found this helpful
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- Ann
- 21-01-14
Lovely story
What did you love best about A Rural Affair?
the narrator was awesome and the story was a nice light chic lit, easy to listen too
Would you recommend A Rural Affair to your friends? Why or why not?
yes I would recommend it to others who enjoy an easy listening story