Hens Dancing

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Description

Venetia Summers appears to lead a fairy-tale rural existence with her husband and two sons in her tumbledown Norfolk cottage. But when her husband leaves her for his masseuse, not even the arrival of a splendid baby daughter can make up for the sense of loss she feels for her newly lopsided family. Hens Dancing follows Venetia s diaries over the course of a year. It tells of domestic battles with an unruly garden, errant cockerels, Orcs and War Hammers and a traumatic bathroom conversion. But there are also consolations: a passion for fun fur, the severe beauty of the Norfolk landscape, the regal serenity of the Beauty (Venetia s baby daughter) and perhaps, amongst it all, the promise of new love.

Reviews

Barker is a talented comic writer - there is scarcely a word out of place, and the whole confection goes down a treat. All of which makes it your perfect holiday read - Sunday Times

An uplifting and witty portrayal of family life in the Norfolk countryside. It celebrates a year of rich friendships and exuberant children, along with an eccentric mother and an infuriating ex... A delightfully wholesome novel with comic bite - Times

Charming... Overflows with eccentric characters... A satisfying mix of entertaining domestic disasters and musings on kitten heels, hens and new love - Daily Mail

Author Bio

Raffaella Barker is the daughter of novelist Elspeth and poet George Barker. She lives in Norfolk, and is a regular contributor to Country Life and the Sunday Telegraph..