Our book group choice for October 2024 is A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr. Set in the aftermath of World War I, J.L. Carr’s “A Month in the Country” tells the story of Tom Birkin, a veteran haunted by his wartime experiences and a broken marriage. Seeking solace and a fresh start, he accepts a commission to uncover a medieval wall painting in a remote Yorkshire village church.
As Birkin immerses himself in the meticulous work of restoration, he finds unexpected peace in the quiet rhythms of rural life. He forms an unlikely friendship with Charles Moon, the eccentric archaeologist working on a nearby grave, and develops a tentative romance with Alice Keach, the vicar’s wife.
Through Birkin’s introspective narration, the novel explores themes of love, loss, healing, and the enduring power of art and nature. The idyllic summer days are filled with subtle tension and unspoken emotions as Birkin grapples with his past and the possibility of a future he didn’t expect.
However, the tranquility of the countryside is disrupted by the arrival of Moon’s wife, revealing a hidden layer of complexity in their relationship. As the month draws to a close, Birkin must confront the ephemeral nature of his newfound happiness and the inevitable return to the realities of his life.
Discussion Questions
- How does the fact that the book is ostensibly a memoir written 70 years after the event affect the story?
- What do you make of the main character’s attitude to “the locals”? How did this change?
- The main character and one of the other characters have recently returned from WWI, yet there is not a great deal of rumination about the war. Did that surprise you?
- What do you think about the way the book depicts religion (the church, the Wesleyans, the revelation about the person on the grave?
- Did anyone long for a book about Mrs Hebron?
- To whom would you recommend this book? Why or why not?
Individual Ratings
EmmaT's Rating 
Hayley's Rating
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Baljit's Rating
Sue's Rating
Kelby's Rating
DKB's Rating 