THE FARMER’S WIFE
My Life in Days
An honest portrait of rural life and an authentic exploration of both the hard work and reward of keeping a home and raising a family.
Helen Rebanks’s beautifully written memoir takes place across a single day on her working farm in the Lake District of England. Weaving past and present, through a journey of self-discovery, the book takes us from the farmhouse table of her Grandmother, and into the home she now shares with her husband, four kids and an abundance of animals.
Helen shares, with rare truthfulness, her life in days, sometimes a wonder and a joy but others a grind to be survived.
An honest portrait of rural life and an authentic exploration of both the hard work and reward of keeping a home and raising a family.
Helen Rebanks’s beautifully written memoir takes place across a single day on her working farm in the Lake District of England. Weaving past and present, through a journey of self-discovery, the book takes us from the farmhouse table of her Grandmother, and into the home she now shares with her husband, four kids and an abundance of animals.
Helen shares, with rare truthfulness, her life in days, sometimes a wonder and a joy but others a grind to be survived. It’s a story about food and love; the need we all have for simple, honest, nourishing dishes and relationships. A heartfelt, unvarnished meditation on the power of domestic life, the book includes recipes, lists and gentle wisdom to help us get through our days, whatever they throw at us.
Along with her husband, farmer/author James Rebanks (The Shepherd’s Life), Helen and her family work as a tight-knit team. Their farm has become globally important through their nature-friendly farming practices. They host events regularly at the farm to share their expertise and encourage others to farm sustainably.
This is Helen Rebanks’s debut.
- Harper Horizon
- Hardcover
- September 2023
- 320 Pages
- 9780785290483
Buy the Book
$29.99
About Helen Rebanks
Helen Rebanks is a mother of four and works with her husband, James, running their family farm in the English Lake District. This is her first book.
Praise
“Though ingratiating, this is no rose-colored account … this frank, good-natured debut memoir with recipes … Black and white pen illustrations enhance the charm. Home cooks and aspiring farmers will be captivated by this lively and accessible look at life on the farm.” —Publishers Weekly
“It’s quite an achievement to portray the quiet power behind the choices we make for our children – be it the food on the table or the life we choose to live. And to shine a light of truth on the often idealized, always understated, role of the farmer’s wife.” —Raynor Winn
“This is an absolutely beautiful book. It is honest and true, unflinching, powerful, lyrical without being sentimental. Most of all, it is so clear in its call for us to know more about where our food comes from and also for the right of any woman to choose the life she wants to live. I read it in one sitting.”
—Kate Mosse
“‘Some would say mine is a small life. But this is how I want to live my life.’ Wife of the (currently) more famous James, Helen is a homemaker, mother of four children, and carer to a drove of animals including 500 sheep. Complete with her farmhouse kitchen recipes, this enchanting memoir which opens at cock crow (5:30 a.m.) might sound gentler than a small ripple on nearby Ullswater. But it is an engrossing and tenacious account both of the running a home, and of the tightly knit family team which has made their farm globally important with its innovations and drive towards sustainability.” —Bookseller
“Very moving, real and true.” —Amy Liptrot
“Authentic and affecting, this is a story of a hidden life. Helen’s clear voice shows us what it really means to become the bedrock, and through unhistoric acts of both struggle and joy, she shines a light on the women who stitch together the fabric of our rural communities.” —Sarah Langford
Discussion Questions
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The book highlights the unseen and uncelebrated work of farmers’ wives. How did Helen Rebanks’ portrayal of domestic life on a farm challenge or expand your understanding of this role?
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The Rebanks family works as a close-knit team on their farm. How does their family dynamic contribute to the success of their farm and their personal lives? Have you experienced a similar sense of unity in your family or community?
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Helen Rebanks shares both the joys and challenges of her life on the farm, including moments of self-doubt. How does she demonstrate resilience and personal growth throughout the book? Have you faced similar moments of doubt and growth in your own life?
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The Farmer’s Wife emphasizes finding beauty in everyday moments. Can you share a passage or moment from the book that particularly resonated with you? How has the book influenced your perspective on cherishing the simple joys of life?
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Helen Rebanks emphasizes that gender roles can be limiting and that what truly matters is using one’s skills. Do you agree with this perspective? How can we challenge traditional gender roles in both rural and urban settings?
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In the book, Helen Rebanks shares several recipes that hold deep personal meaning for her and her family. Can you think of a recipe from your own life that holds a special memory or connects you to a significant moment or person? Can you identify scenes or character interactions that exemplify this theme?