A House in The Country by Ruth Adam

Do you find yourself dreaming of living in a beautiful house in the English countryside? With ivy-covered walls, rolling fields, wild orchids, old trees, and squirrels chasing each other? A house like, for instance, Downton Abbey? Then you might enjoy A House in the Country by Ruth Adams. Not only may you enjoy her story of life in a country house, but it might also make you realize that you could be better off in an impersonal flat, of which there are hundreds in the block.

A House in the Country by Ruth Adams

Ruth Adams (1907–1977) dreamt of country life, and every day she read the Personal Column in the newspaper, hoping to find the country house of her dreams. And then she did. Ruth, her husband, and four friends pooled their funds to rent this beautiful dream home together. For some years, it is everything they had dreamed of, and their life seems like a country idyll.

Never fall in love with a house!

But Ruth Adams begins her tale with these words: 'Never fall in love with a house.' This kind of spoils the story, because you know it won't end well. Beautiful as the house is, it is also a demanding mistress. Built in a time when people had servants, it is hard to keep up with its maintenance once the concept of 'downstairs–upstairs' disappears.

Ruth has to work very hard to keep the house clean, organized, and maintained. But for a long time, that’s okay because everything is so beautiful. Her children grow up frolicking in the grass, catching fish, growing their own vegetables, and marveling at the flowers that surround them.

Slowly but surely, the dream of country life falls apart

For a long time, they remain in love with their country house. The first problem arises when one member of the group decides to return to city life in London, leaving the remaining five to cover the difference in rent. Then another leaves, and another, until only Ruth and her husband are responsible for the house. They cannot afford everything, so they try to make the house pay for itself—taking in tourists, and eventually renting out part of the home. But it is never enough.

The straw that broke the camel's back

One morning, Ruth discovers rats feasting on the corpse of one of her chickens, which I suppose is the straw that broke the camel’s back. If I understand correctly, she miscarries from the horror of that sight and is completely done with the house. All she wants is to leave and live in a boring, well-maintained home in the city.

What’s to love about A House in the Country?

I had a lovely time reading this book. I could relate to Ruth’s dreams of life in the English countryside, and she tells a charming story that often made me smile. I found it very atmospheric, and I felt as though I were right there with her, living the country idyll.

In a way, I think it’s a pity that she became so disenchanted with the house—especially after all the effort they put in to be able to live there. I would have liked a bit more detail about Ruth’s gradual shift in feelings.

Hodgepodge

A House in the Country is a bit of a hodgepodge of little tales about the eight years Ruth lived there. She paints a beautiful picture of the surroundings and the people she encounters. But I would have liked to get to know Ruth herself a bit better. Her change of heart feels sudden and underexplained. She goes from adoring the country house to abhorring it quite abruptly. It doesn’t fully make sense, though her dislike for the house she once loved so much is unmistakable.

Summing up

A House in the Country is a cautionary tale! It warns readers not to fall for the idyll of country life. It’s also a story of changing times. After the war, life changed significantly, and Ruth’s country house was built for a life that no longer exists.

You can find A House in the Country at Amazon.

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