Preview
  • The Country Life

  • By: Rachel Cusk
  • Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
  • Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (54 ratings)

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The Country Life

By: Rachel Cusk
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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Publisher's summary

Winner of England's Whitbread Award for Saving Agnes and the prestigious Somerset Maugham Award, Rachel Cusk has won popular and critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. This young British author's beguiling novel is both poignant and hilarious. When Stella leaves London for a small village in Sussex, she hopes that the country life will be conducive to her journey toward self-discovery. She'll have no more insipid lover, dead end job, or controlling parents to endure. But, as an au pair for a dispiriting family, she's stalked by bad-tempered people, misfortune from weather and wildlife, and unwelcome suitors. Spunky and resourceful, she manages to keep a stiff upper lip, even when her darkest secret manages to catch up with her. Jenny Sterlin sparkles in her role as the irrepressible Stella. Even in the face of Stella's angst and touching vulnerability, you will find it impossible to stifle your laughter.
©1997 Rachel Cusk (P)1999 Recorded Books
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What listeners say about The Country Life

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    5 out of 5 stars

A breath of fresh air or a pleasant remembrance of the British novels from English Lit read in High School.

Not often do we immerse ourselves in a character like Stella. Could almost feel
her emotions. Well done!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best books I’ve ever read

I loved this book as much as anything I’ve ever read. 3rd book of Cusks I’ve read and she’s become my new favorite writer. Grateful my partner Carly introduced me to her work! I love you Carly!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding

To my mind, Rachel Cusk is among our foremost writers today. This novel presents a contemporary parallel to Jane Eyre: discontented young woman flouts the conditions and expectations of her parents and partner and flees to a manor in the country where she has accepted a post as a governess. Her new life, among a family wholly alien to her own expectations and experience, offers a profound moral and social education. Cusk’s telling of the story is wonderfully moving and funny. Jenny Stirling’s acting is pitch-perfect.

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I loved this book!

Rachel Cusk is one of my favorite writers. I actually can see what she is describing.

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Excellent, loved this listen

Smart, emotionally insightful, and not sacrine. A world I inhabited for 3 days and loved it.

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    1 out of 5 stars

I really was glad when this was over

I couldnt find it funny. I cringed throughout over the 'heroine's' clumsiness and constant wrong moves. There were several loose threads in the story consisting of delicious mysteries that I thought would unfold, but never did. They were left unfinished and I was left asking for closure. I found the heroine annoyingly stupid for her age and was constantly astounded by her idiocy.

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