The Magic Apple Tree

by Susan Hill

The Magic Apple Tree stands in the garden of Moon Cottage, in the small village of Barley. Susan Hill's book is an evocation of a year seen from that cottage, in which she and her family lived for thirteen years.

Here are the changing seasons, the sounds and smells and sights of the country, the weather and the wildlife, the growing of vegetables and the keeping of hens, the making of preserves and the establishing of a new garden in the overgrown orchard.

Here too are the people going about their everyday life in a small country community. There are the pleasures of Christmas and Easter and Harvest Festival, the village show and the summer fete, the spring fair and the Women's Institute meetings. There is life and death, pleasure and survival, heavy snow and blazing summer heat.

The Magic Apple Tree was first published in 1982 and has become a classic of English country writing and the favourite, much-loved bedside book of so many. This edition retains John Lawrence's evocative and true-to-life wood engravings, exactly as in the first edition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Nature, Biography, British Literature, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2013

About the author

Susan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially "Cockles and Mussels".

She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".

Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.

In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.

Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.

Reviews

[H.A. Leuschel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comforting read with many cooking and gardening tips embedded in an endearing portrait of English country life. Very enjoyable!

[Christina Baehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, simple seasonal memoir of life in the English countryside, on the Fens, by one of the great living prose stylists, Susan Hill.

Highly recommended for lovers of Elizabeth von Arnim and Elizabeth Goudge, or anyone who wants a thoughtful companion to remind them to pay attention to the seasons.

Many of her rhythms, like all of the preserving and the WI (here in Australia it is the CWA) were very familiar to me and brought back memories of growing up in sheep country in Tasmania.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comforting read! Definitely a book I want to keep on my shelf, for long winter evenings.

Susan Hill describes life in the country in 'ye old England'-village-style. She writes very warmly about old houses, friendly villagers, changing seasons, countryside beauty and nature. She even includes favorite recipes (gotta try that red cabbage one, and the tea bread!)

Not a novel (in case fiction is your thing), and not even written in a 'memoir' style, this is just more of a book you can pick up and read a chapter or two (choose a season. What do you feel like reading about; spring, summer, winter or fall?) when you want to have a 'get away' and read about country life in a quiet setting

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I previously enjoyed Susan Hill's nonfiction books, Howards End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home and Through the Garden Gate, so I decided to seek out additional nonfiction titles of hers. This one I ended up having to order used from the UK but it was so worth it. In it Hill shares with readers a full year of life in the country as her family moves to a cottage in the village Barley, Oxfordshire, circa 1980's. It's full of wonderful observations and musings about their new home, gardening, local creatures, cooking, and village life. A homey read, interesting, insightful and comforting and I savored every moment. A lovely book.

Highly recommended. 5 stars

[John Frankham · Rating 1 out of 5]

This season-by-season narrative of Susan Hill's year in an Oxfordshire village cottage is really rather dull, smug, and self-indulgent. If you are a country-dweller, the response must be 'so what' and 'remember this is told by a member of the metropolitan literary mafia, married to an Oxford professor, and living only six miles from the city.' Playing at it. If you like urban life, then the response will be 'so boring.'

As for the Magic Apple Tree, merely an opening chapter device to provide a good title.

[Boadicea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was read in my preGR days and no way do I want to revisit it. I couldn't wait to get rid of it from my bookshelves so was gifted to a charity shop.

It's a smug, turgid, Ye Olde Englande type of a book. Read "Cranford" instead, it's far better written and more real. Yes, there are recipes but frankly, those are better off in a cookery book with an index to boot, in my scrapbook or accessible via the World Wide Web. Plus the book is an odd shape and really didn't fit the allocated shelf.

[ladydusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Own on Kindle.

I loved this book. Fantastic. I loved the long thoughts on food, creatures, gardens, people season by season. I loved the lyrical language that stayed down to earth. This book almost made me want to garden ... until I remembered that I don't like bugs, dirt, or being outside. I love the idea, though and we do hope to keep a small garden this summer.

I want to know the people she describes better. I want to know the Hon. Claire and Mr. Baker the gardener. I want to see more of Hill's husband and daughter. I'd like to see pictures of Moon Cottage and the town to see if it matches my imagination.

I saw some reviews that compared this with The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek which I struggled through last summer. In my opinion, this is what I wish Pilgrim had been. Beautiful language, living a life, approachable and painting wonderful word pictures ... on a clearly defined subject.

In many ways I wish I hadn't read this as quickly as I did, but it was hard to stop when I got started.

[Gilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cosy, gentle memoir of seasonal life in a country cottage and rural English village. Plainly and casually written, this lovely book is perfect for a November afternoon, with a cup of tea and bickies, a cat on your lap or a dog asleep beside the wood fire.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Kevin Darbyshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read books by Susan Hill before this book was a complete surprise. A beautifully observed study of village life. The village characters and the way they were described reminded me so much of the "Miss Read" books which I really enjoyed. I loved the descriptions of the countryside in the changing seasons as in the city they are never quite so distinct. I have now bought a hard copy of this book as it is one of the books I want to have at hand to dip into.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful well written book about a year in the life of Noon Cottage and it’s village. Susan Hill writes about the changing of the seasons and how village life adapts and changes with it. Her writing is slow, descriptive and pure. I felt I was living in Moon Cottage and experiencing the year with her.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the author of The Woman in Black this is a completely different kettle of fish altogether. Documenting a whole year of her life in Moon Cottage in a small Oxfordshire village during the 1980's.
The book is split into seasons, starting with winter, and then split into chapters covering such things as village life, creatures, cooking, the garden, people, the wood, festivals and many other subjects. Overlooking all of it is the Apple Tree in the garden, gnarled, weathered and constant. Throughout there are lovely engravings by John Lawrence depicting the year passing around.
We are taken through all the lovely transitions of nature and how Susan and the other villagers lived alongside it, worked with it, and with each other to share their strengths and look out for each other. This is not a book about self sufficiency but about people living side by side. In fact Susan says she doesn't believe anyone can be totally self sufficient and she has seen many a well-meaning person arrive in the village only to depart a year or so later. The secret is not to exist alone but to exist as a community and this is a strong message that comes through in the book.
Susan's voice is unassuming and very easy to listen to, describing the beauties of the home she clearly loves and the people of the village. I loved hearing about the Twomey brothers who make cider, the WI autumn fair where jams and cakes are on show, the carol singing in winter, the preserving week in autumn, the hens, the cats, the walks with the dog in the woods. It is not about a super-woman ploughing the land single-handed in all weathers, but an attainable life in a small community, and what that meant to the author. It is quiet, observant and gentle. Looking for lights in the other houses, picking damsons, riding your bike up and down the lanes.
I totally loved this book. I felt a calmness descend upon me whenever I picked it up. Described as a 'comfort book' it was a pure pleasure to read and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in country life with nature and the English countryside on your doorstep.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book not long after it was published. It remains one of my favourite books. Over the years it has become one of my 'comfort books', those I turn to when the world's just a bit too much to cope with. It's beautifully written and the illustrations are perfectly suited to the content. I have two copies because I read the original so many times it fell to pieces. I've loaned it to friends and bought a copy for a friend when she was forced to quit her job due to being bullied. It gave her great comfort. It offers me peace whenever I read it.

[Joy O’Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, satisfying book to read if you love the English countryside, gardens, cooking, village life, wild animal watching, or beautiful prose. I read it slowly, savoring each chapter, mulling over in my mind the word pictures Susan Hill creates as she delights in and describes each season of the year. Again and again she put into words what I have often felt about the different seasons and I know that I will re-read this book many times.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of a year in the English countryside, to read and enjoy the slow pace, savor the sights and sounds. I found it delightful!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book to dip into throughout the year.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stand at the top of the seven stone steps. Moon Cottage, and that part of the garden that lies in front of it, are at your feet, and the apple tree is straight ahead, your eyes are level with its lower branches. Through them, you see the rise and fall of the fields beyond, piled upon one another like pillows.

This book is a wonderful journey through a year in the life of Susan Hill during her time living at Moon Cottage, in the small village of Barley. Split between the four seasons it tells of the plants and crops she grows, of the animal and bird visitors to the cottage and village, and provides tips from country life.

Once upon a time, everyone who had a bit of back garden, in country or town, kept a few chickens and it is a pity there are so many bye-laws forbidding it in residential areas now. They are only anti-social if a cockerel is kept within earshot, or the hen-run is not tended properly, and allowed to smell and attract vermin.

Utterly charming the book deserves to be read at the same slow pace that portrays. An additional bonus is the array of recipes thrown in, all of which are inspiring and I will be looking for good, local grown, produce to try and recreate them.

Quarter, core and finely shred a red cabbage. Peel, core and chop one or two apples (eaters or cookers), chop one onion, and one clove of garlic (optional). Melt 1oz butter in a big, heavy casserole. Add cabbage and cook gently with the lid on for about 5 minutes. Then add apples, onion, garlic, some herbs such as a bayleaf, chopped parsley and thyme, two tablespoons of brown sugar, a small teacup of wine or cider, or half that quantity of wine vinegar, lots of salt and black pepper, and a little grated nutmeg. Cook in a low oven for 3–4 hours, but check it after each hour and add a little water (or wine and water or cider) if it is drying up. Even better re-heated.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some books can be devoured in a couple of sittings and others are meant to be savored slowly. The Magic Apple Tree by mystery writer Susan Hill falls into the latter category. In it she recounts a year of living in the English countryside. It was a perfect follow-up to the two Thrush Green books I had just read.

She begins with winter, introducing the tree (“The trunk is knobbly and each branch and twig twists and turns back upon itself, like old, arthritic hands”), Moon cottage, and her daily routines.

“In winter, I often spend all day in the kitchen, it is in winter that I love it best, and it is then that I most enjoy my own particular sort of cooking best, too, for one of the richest pleasures of domestic life is, and has always been, filling the house with the smells of food, of baking breads and cakes, bubbling casseroles and simmering soups, of vegetables fresh from the garden and quickly steamed, of the roasting of meat, of new-ground coffee and pounded spices and chopped herbs, of hot marmalade and jam and jelly.”

I am not a gardener, but I enjoyed her anthropomorphic descriptions of plants: “Most French beans are low-growing. But I find them horribly neurotic; they hate the cold, in the air or in the soil, refuse to germinate for the slightest of reasons, then refuse to flower, or crop sparsely, or wilt suddenly, when six inches high, for no discernible reason, or collapse on to the ground after heavy rain.”

In the spring section she writes more about her gardening techniques, eschewing all the gardening books by “experts” because of her non-typical garden (high winds, clay soil, etc.) I enjoyed reading how she adapted her expectations to fit her reality. Plenty of good life lessons there. The cadence of the writing and of the seasons is gentle and soothing. As Hill finds sanctuary, so do we.

A delightful book!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5+ stars

This is one of those books I had to own...so I could come back to it again. Perfect for winter reading, with calming, quiet commentary on the details of country life in and around the English village of Barley. Chronicling their first year living in Moon Cottage, Hill takes us through all four seasons, sharing her observations of nature, primarily, along with snapshots of people and happenings in the area.

I especially admire Hill's competent, comfortable writing. Makes me want to stop by Moon Cottage for tea and a chat, or maybe to pitch in with preserving damsons, or to come along on an early morning bike ride. The book's only real fault, in my opinion, is its title. It doesn't do the contents justice.

[Bekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of #NonFictionNovember2015

Being from a rural area, with friends and family that grew up on various types of farms, I was easily brought into the story. Despite the book being set in England, where as I live in the USA, I still found a lot of familiarity with the seasons, community & landscape. I really loved the inclusion of various recipes (though the cook in me would have wanted many more!) and the gorgeous engravings by John Lawrence(which I also would have wanted more off, because they were so well done!) - Probably more of a 3.5 Stars. I think I prefer the authors fiction.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It reminded me on a very basic level of Annie Dillard's work, specifically Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (coincidentally, Susan Hill's dog is named Tinker). I found it inspirational, especially when she writes about the vegetable gardening. I kept stopping to take notes!

This book is on my "to buy" list.

[Katrina Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book. The author does a wonderful job of sharing her life, season by season, in an English village. The reader gets to live through the joys and struggles of fixing up a cottage, planting a garden, etc. only having to lift a finger to turn the pages. A good book to buy and reread passages at leisure.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction book by Susan Hill is one of my favorites. I usually re-read it at least once a year. It is the story of the author's family, how they found the house where they live & a typical year in their village.

[Larry Tysome · Rating 3 out of 5]

To read this is like wallowing in a cosy blanket and wonder how susan Hill can make such unprepossessing material flow through and beguile you. Very clever. How did she come up with the idea of putting the recipes in? It works though.

[Marie Shirley Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book!

She writes about her first couple of years when they (her husband and child) moved into a very old cottage.

While some of the writing is about practical things, she has made magic of all of it.

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle and humorous. Anyone who loved the “Anne” books or any British village stories (Miss Read, anything by D.E. Stevenson, etc.) would probably appreciate this nonfiction look at a year of life in a British village. Hill has a winsome way with words.

[Kay Pelham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very detailed account of a year in the country. She covers flora and fauna, as well as the people and community life and events. More stars would have been given by me had I not struggled with the fact that this will probably never ever be my life.

[Mae Leveson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books of all time. I love Susan’s descriptions of life at Moon Cottage and it is a delightful read. I particularly enjoy her depiction of life in Barley when winter brings snow and a real sense of community with the village.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Susan Hill's ghost stories - her writing is beautiful and measured. This book is very different and from early in her career. I enjoyed the details of creatures, cooking and growing and village life and her enjoyment of nature and her present moment. A wonderful read to meditate on.