Exmoor Files [Hardcover]

Liz Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 2009

Liz Jones lived the perfect urban life. The immaculate Georgian townhouse in a leafy London square. The glamorous career where she would hob nob (not the right word: these people don't eat biscuits) with models and movie stars and fashion designers. The Italian wardrobe stuffed with designer bags and shoes. The much younger novelist husband. But then it all goes horribly wrong. She discovers her husband has been having numerous affairs (with women who are younger, dimmer, slimmer) and realises that her pursuit of perfection has never made her happy, and probably never will. And so she decides to start all over again, burying herself alive in the middle of the bleak, unforgiving wilderness that is Exmoor National Park. She buys a wreck of a farmhouse, with an original stable block, 46 acres, an ancient wood and a lake. She rescues a nervous and abused but breathtakingly beautiful racehorse, nursing the dream that she will be able to ride her thoroughbred bareback on the beach, spend her days wafting through flower-filled meadows, harvest her own organic produce and generally live out the rural dream. The reality, of course, is much, much harder. 'The Exmoor Files' is a funny, honest, often brutal real-life account of what it is like to start all over again in an alien environment. It is about discovering that you cannot find peace just by moving somewhere peaceful. It is about mourning for a relationship and letting go of the life you thought you deserved. And most of all it is about how Liz and her racehorse finally learn to trust, and to love, and to live, again.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As an example of 'the truth about country life' genre, her book is brightly written and often funny" -- Christopher Hart THE SUNDAY TIMES "Jones is a brilliant, witty writer" -- Amber Cowan LONDON LITE "there lies a sort of steely courage: of a woman facing the process of ageing and mortality on her own, as best she can" -- Jane Shilling DAILY MAIL "squirm-inducing, savagely funny. you end up admiring her determined efforts to be happy, despite everything" -- Claire Allfree METRO "Finding new friends, ruminating on her mistakes, looking back on a life of shopping and media-hugging, Jones finds a kind of solace in the bleak moors of Somerset" -- Marla Jones CATHOLIC HERALD "a great tale and so very well told" -- Paul Blezard THE LADY

About the Author

Liz Jones is a columnist for the 'Mail on Sunday', Fashion Editor of the 'Daily Mail' and a former editor of 'Marie Claire'. She lives in Somerset.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (August 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0297854437
• ISBN-13: 978-0297854432
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,640,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, May 4, 2011

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2(RP) (NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exmoor Files (Paperback)

I enjoy Liz's column in the UK Daily Mail, so this book was a treat. It gave more details on her move to Exmoor and her divorce. If you like her column, you'll love the book.