when rural life was just on the cusp of changing due to modernization.
The series centers around Laura Timmins, a poor hamlet girl who ventures to the more prosperous and middle class Candleford to work in the post office run by her mother's cousin Dorcus Lane (brilliantly played by Julia Sawalha - Saffi from AbFab). All of the characters are memorable with their foibles, shortcomings and personalities driving the storylines. It's a light series with a few dark moments but not many and not very deep. If you love an easy flowing narrative with a cast of quirky characters, all set in the idyllic countryside of England, then this is the series for you.The show is based on three semi-autobiographical novels by Flora Thompson, all of which I found in one volume at the library. The stories are told in the third person with a focus on Laura. The first book, Lark Rise, describes her childhood in the impoverished hamlet of Lark Rise. Over to Candleford describes her summers in prosperous Candleford with her cousins and how it contrasts to hamlet life. Candleford Green describes Lauras' time working for Dorcus Lane in the post office.
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Fans of the show who are looking for a faithful novel version will be disappointed by the books. Those who are interested in a glimpse of rural English life just before it changed forever will enjoy the description of harvest times, now forgotten holidays, and the different people who populated that era. It is a poignant story of a time now gone and lives that were more simple and yet more difficult than our own.
If you like books based in history then check out my novels. www.Georgie-Lee.com
7 comments:
Wow, is this show new? I haven't heard of this but I do love BBC series. Will have to check this show out. For now I'm currently watching Grantchester and liking it so far, I guess I'm partial to crime and mystery shows.
I haven't had a chance to check out Grandchester. I discovered this series on Amazon Prime and until I stumbled upon it I hadn't heard of it either. It's over now, but it ran for about five years in England. It's a great show. Mr. Bates from Downton Abbey is in it too.
I'd like to see this show. Looks like I can get the DVDs -- I'll have to check them out.
Thanks for joining British Isles Friday this week!
Joy's Book Blog
My mom has told me about this show - I need to check it out! Thanks for linking up with us over at the #HomeMattersParty - we hope to see you again this Friday!
I love reading, but don't always find the time. It sounds like I'd enjoy this TV series more than the books. I love things that are a feast for the eyes. I guess that's why I enjoy using lots of original photographs on my blogs. We have a limited amount of TV shows that we pay for here in South Africa, so I haven't seen this series. Thanks for sharing! Visiting from Booknificent Thursdays - Tina from Amanda's Books and More
This is a delightful television series that can also be seen on youtube.
It is also fun to see which characters are later seen in Downton Abbey.
I've just started watching the series but didn't realize it was loosely based on books! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
Tina
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