The Farm by Richard Benson

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About Richard Benson

Biography

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The Farm

The Story of One Family and the English Countryside

» Richard Benson

Penguin
Paperback : 19 Jan 2006

£8.99

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Synopsis

When Richard Benson was growing up he felt like 'the village idiot with O'levels' - glowing school reports aren't much help when you're trying to help a sow give birth, or drive a power harrow in a straight line without getting half the hedgerow stuck in the tines.

He left Yorkshire to work as a journalist in London, but returned when his dad called with the news that they were going to have to sell the family farm, and, in so doing, leave the home and livelihood that the Bensons had worked for generations.

This is not only a moving personal account, but also one that reflects a profound change in rural life.

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Reviews

Customer Review: 11 November 2008

Reviewer: Peter Curtis

'A fantastic book. Beautifully written. A most enjoyable and moving read. This book is unique, I think it is so well written, I can''t imagine the author writing another as good. I really do think it is a masterpiece! I, personally, put him along-side Dickens for describing people and events. I was deeply moved by his story. '

Customer Review: 24 March 2008

Reviewer: Jane Oldfield

I've just finished reading The Farm and can highly recommend it. It's personal without feeling prurient, humane without being over sentimental and humorous without seeming over contrived and it highlights the changing face of farming communities in England today

Customer Review: 07 November 2007

Reviewer: Tandey Earley

I have only just finished reading this book. I thought it was brilliant and it had me laughing out loud and also brought tears to my eyes. I hope Richard writes another and if he does I shall be one of the first to buy it. Brilliant

Customer Review: 22 July 2007

Reviewer: steph bolton

What a fantastic read - really highlights the problems facing the modern farmer, not only emotionally writtain but factually stimulating - lets hope the book changes people view on where our food comes from!!!

Customer Review: 20 October 2006

Reviewer: pat

having grown up on a fram, this story is so true, well done Richard, good luck to you and your family

Customer Review: 16 May 2006

Reviewer: Philip Louden

A fascinating account of rural life made more interesting to read because I live in the village where the Bensons farmed, and have done since 1990. There have been huge changes to agriculture over this period and working in agriculture service industry since 1989 I am only too aware how it has been decimated, and this account of Richard's family could be repeated many thousand times over by other farming families in the UK. However I think the book will appeal to 'townies' as well. It is well written and unfussy. Despite the family selling the farm because of the downturn in agriculture, no sympathy is being asked for by the family. They just got on with life and made a new beginning, thankfully in the same village which has changed beyond all recognition in the 16 years I have lived there. Hopefully this book will be built on by Richard as there is scope here for more. I feel he has only scratched the surface with 'The Farm'

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