A Month in the Country
by J. L. Carrliterary work· published 1980
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A Month in the Country is the fifth novel by J. L. Carr, first published in 1980 and nominated for the Booker Prize. The book won the Guardian Fiction Prize in 1980. The plot concerns Tom Birkin, an ex-serviceman of the First World War, who is employed to uncover a mural in a village church that was thought to exist under coats of whitewash. Another former soldier is employed to look for a grave beyond the churchyard walls. Though Birkin is an unbeliever, there is prevalent religious symbolism throughout the book, mainly dealing with judgement. The novel explores themes of England's loss of spirituality after the war and of happiness, melancholy and nostalgia as Birkin recalls the summer uncovering the mural, when he healed from his wartime experiences and a broken marriage.
Adaptations (1)
A Month in the Country was adapted into a 1987 film.
A Month in the Country1987 · film · 96 min · dir. Pat O'Connor · IMDb ↗IMDb6.883%A destitute WWI veteran is hired to help carry out restoration work on a medieval mural in a rural Yorkshire church. While living in the quiet village, he forms a close friendship with an archaeologist and begins to come to terms with his trauma.
