You may see hares

It’s that time of year when if you’re in the countryside and very lucky, you may see hares. The last time i saw one was near Ely and we saw one scampering across a ploughed field as we drove past. Previously to that there was the magical time when we were in Ireland, staying on a farm, and awake early, I looked out of the window and there in the farmyard were two of them!! Unbelievable! Thinking about hares made me think of an extraordinary book I read a couple of years ago, which I must reread, Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley. This was what I wrote about it:

I first heard of Starve Acre when completely buy chance I caught it on BBC Radio 4, last October, read by Bryan Dick. I only heard a few episodes but it was so intriguing, so unusual that I decided to buy the book and read it myself. It was about a couple whose little son had died, and who were coping with their bereavement in different ways; Juliette the wife spent all her time in their child’s room, thinking she could hear him and also se him, believing that he hadn’t really died. Richard, the father spent his time in their snow covered field opposite their house; they live miles from the nearest village in North Yorkshire. He is excavating the field in the search of a mighty oak tree which had once grown there, known as the hanging oak.

It took me a while to realise that this was a truly Gothic tale, absolutely fantastical, but within its own world, very believable. The things which happen are extraordinary, and the beautiful cover gives a hint as to one of the mysteries. Once again, I don’t want to give too many details because they might sound confusing and might spoil enjoyment of reading this beautifully written story. There are few characters, but gradually the reader understands their personalities, their history and their relationships. If I say you have to work at this book, I don’t mean it’s difficult to read, but to properly engage you have to focus on all the small details. It is so beautifully written, so descriptive of the countryside and the weather (something I’m not so good at!) I was drawn completely into Richard and Juliette’s world, into their house, Starve Acre, and the mysterious barren field across the road.