Books
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We recreated Three Men in a Boat for the 21st century. Here's what happened.
Re-creating Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat sounds terribly romantic, doesn’t it? Patrick Galbraith discovers the reality of a long skiff down the Thames.
By Country Life Published
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90 years on, does Lady Chatterley's Lover still have the power to shock?
In July 1928, D.H. Lawrence self-published Lady Chatterley's Lover in Florence, with an initial run of 2,000 copies; 90 years on it remains a milestone in English literature and law, perhaps more famous for the controversy it sparked than for its content. Annunciata Elwes revisits the book and finds that the shock, awe and four-letter words go a long way to obscuring the heart of the matter.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
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The story behind The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is almost as fascinating as the book itself
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society has opened up the island’s charms to a new audience, finds Holly Kirkwood.
By Holly Kirkwood Published
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Jonathan Meades on Anthony Burgess: 'The encyclopedia in his head was like the internet'
Jonathan Meades reviews a new selection of Anthony Burgess’s literary journalism, gathered from previously uncollected reviews and essays from throughout his career.
By Country Life Published
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The house which inspired The Darling Buds of May is on the open market for the first time in almost 90 years
The house which inspired H.E. Bates to write his most famous works – and which became world famous as the setting for The Darling Buds of May – is for sale. Penny Churchill reports.
By Penny Churchill Published
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E.H. Shepard's original map of the Hundred Acre Wood from Winnie-the-Pooh is up for auction
This delightful piece of literary and artistic history by E. H. Shepard is to be auctioned for the first time in half a century, with Sotheby's expecting it to go for well over £100,000.
By Toby Keel Published
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The magnificent Kent home of the godfather of British children's illustrators
Penny Churchill takes a look at the former home of Randolph Caldecott, one of Britain's greatest-ever illustrators, which has come to the market in Kent.
By Penny Churchill Published
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Nursery rhymes: How murder, theft and fake news found their way into the tales we tell our children
Murder, animal cruelty and dishonesty aren’t generally considered child-friendly topics, yet they’re the basis of many much-loved nursery rhymes. Flora Watkins explains.
By Flora Watkins Published
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Jason Goodwin: 'We have books all over the floors and carpets on the furniture'
Our columnist Jason Goodwin talks about jam jars, duvets and the books which are taking over his house.
By Jason Goodwin Published
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Jason Goodwin: How to spend 24 hours in London without spending a penny
Our columnist Jason Goodwin headed to London expecting to have to dig deep to keep himself and his wife entertained. Instead, even the thank-you present for his hosts didn't cost him a penny.
By Jason Goodwin Published
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Nine of the best new crime thrillers for 2018, from Ruth Rendell to Anthony Horowitz
A collection of hitherto-undiscovered tales by the late Ruth Rendell plus the latest from Anthony Horowitz and Jessica Fellowes appear in Leslie Geddes-Brown's round-up of the latest thrillers in the bookshops.
By Country Life Published
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David Attenborough's Zoo Quest Expeditions: The memoir of a young, madcap film maker
Sir David Attenborough's memoir of some of his earliest expeditions is endlessly charming – but it's the people rather than the animals who are the stars of the show, says Patrick Galbraith.
By Country Life Published
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The story of the Oxfordshire house where Dylan Thomas wrote Under Milk Wood
The Manor House at South Leigh is where one of Britain's greatest 20th century poets produced one of his most famous works.
By Country Life Published
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Charades: An exclusive Rebus short story for Country Life at Christmas, by Ian Rankin
John Rebus finds the truth behind a festive parlour game in this short story, written exclusively for Country Life by Ian Rankin.
By Country Life Published
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The joys of farming in December: Winter sunshine, leaping sheep and hens who lay an extra Christmas present
Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of Cows, on sparing walnut trees, freeing sheep and a very special Christmas Day breakfast.
By Rosamund Young Published
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Autumn farming: Endless jobs, the pain of potatoes and the ram who made a break for freedom
Rosamund Young's fourth beautiful article for Country Life explores, potatoes, intelligent sheep and the accidental devastation of spiders' webs.
By Rosamund Young Published
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The last word on Capability Brown – but one which comes with a health warning
This book on Lancelot 'Capability' Brown by the greatest living expert on his work is like nothing else – but it comes with one or two caveats, as George Plumptre explains.
By Country Life Published