Up With the Larks: Starting Again in Cornwall

by Tessa Hainsworth

____________________________What's it really like to give it all up and follow your dream? The heartwarming, laugh-out-loud true story of Tessa, who moved from the London rat-race to become a postie in rural Cornwall.Tessa Hainsworth had no idea how hard it would be to live her dream.Full of optimism, she and her young family moved from hectic London life to Cornwall. Within months, they were almost ready to call it quits and go back, tails between their legs. Work is hard to come by, the house is cold and damp, and money is short - until a chance encounter in the local post office leads her to accept the unlikeliest of job offers.Up with the Larks charts Tessa's turbulent first year with the Royal Mail, and her transformation from outsider to 'Posh Postie', adopted Cornishwoman and much-loved member of her new community. From the Christmas rush to the van with a mind of its own, from the chaotic postal routes to the wonderfully colourful locals, Cornwall soon seems to feel like home after all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography, Travel, British Literature

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2009

Reviews

[Clare Coffey]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The main reason is that Tessa is a brilliant writer and is based on actual facts! This book is crying out for a tv adaptation and hopefully Tessa would do the screenplay!
I recommend this book to friends and colleagues alike. The description of people is excellent and the description of Cornwall in all weathers is truly amazing. For any Americans reading this review, please read this book and you will see that not all Brits are Brideshead Revisted types.

[Kay]

Up with the Larks: I laughed, I cried, I hated to put it down..... We can read all the back-to-simplicity blogs on ZenHabits, on Minimalist, on TheSimpleLife, etc., but what does it feel like to live it? What are the trade-offs, what is the reward? I found this a restorative story, a renewal book, and yes, a frolic book. The hard parts are given their hulking due, but the rewards are detailed--people, flowers, skies, seas, and the favor at the bottom of the box is the mindfulness that brings happiness, the relationships that feed the soul, nature's healing--they are all painted in delightful detail. There is a sparkle to Hainsworth's style that makes me want to read her other books on life in Cornwall, and the choice to go from Body Shop International Exec to rural postie is huge and very affirming. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever thought about going to a simpler life......

[I Sawkins]

Very enjoyable read.

I loved this book, I was a postman up country for over 15 years, before moving to Cornwall. So, much of what Tessa writes I can relate to in the job. Also moving to Cornwall was a real eye opener to not only a different life, but a different world, one that I am still in awe of, even after 17 years here, and married to a proper Cornish Maid.
I can't wait to read Tessa's next book.

[Jules]

This made me giggle at times. Having only lived in West Cornwall for 2 years, I could really relate to this book. I'm feeling very aware of my Farrow and Ball painted walls at the moment. I wonder if my postie knows what colours I've used, lol.

[Michelle Marie McGrath]

I had just moved to Cornwall (after 20 years overseas) and someone bought me this book as a gift. I really enjoyed it reading about this family's experience of leaving the 'rat race' in London and choosing a slower pace and more healthy life. Life affirming and positive read but down to earth about the challenges too.

[Lynne]

I enjoyed this book - I love Cornwall and was rather envious of Tessa making her dream come true. Can't wait to visit Cornwall again after reading this book! :)

[Teresa D]

Too smug, too sweet.

[Joanne]

Up with the Larks is the first book by Tessa Hainsworth about her transfer from the rat race as a marketing manager at a well known cosmetic company to a local postie in a Cornish village. This is all based on fact and has obviously been worked with the produce something which is part autobiography, part travel book and part novel which works extremely well.

I look forward to the next part of the tale in her follow up novel, and long may they continue with the warmth and humour that Tessa has injected into the whole book. Despite the days she has to face the biting cold wind or the icy rain!

[Denita]

What a great read. Tessa Hainsworth and her family decide to move to Cornwall from London after leaving her stressful job. All does not go to plan with a business they thought they could start up so Tessa gets a job as a postie. Each chapter begins under the heading of the month of the year starting in November. She gives us an account of her first year there where we meet her workmates and the people she delivers the mail to. There are two more books in the series which I am eager to read. And yes - this would make a brilliant TV series!

[Gilly Prior]

What a lovely story, not least because it reflects my own life, having moved from Manchester to settle by the sea in Anglesey. There was one moment I was sat in the window reading it and own our postwoman in her little red van came up the drive, that made me smile. Also the local born and bred Welsh neighbours came to my aid in an emergency and all rallied round me for weeks! Same as the book. It felt so lovely to read.

The only thing that I didn’t like was the endless use if the wrong word, instead of “would have been” it was always “would of been”.

[Blorengia]

An enjoyable, easy read. Tessa and family decide to move to Cornwall to improve their work/life balance and have a better quality of life overall, the book recounts their first year of struggling to settle in and earn enough money to stay. I probably won't buy the following books in the series unless I happen to see one in the charity shop.

[Emma Dickson]

This is a fascinating, funny and emotional account of a family moving to Cornwall for a happier life, away from the bustle of London and a stressful job.

The writing style is spot-on and kept me entertained all the way through. The monthly accounts take you through the seasons and I enjoyed 'meeting' the various locals and second-homers alike.

[Sarah Staddon-Phillips]

A lovely read and as a born and bred Devonian I could understand the walls Tessa came up against. It was interesting to read from an 'incomers' point of view. Beautiful descriptions of the flora and fauna of Cornwall

[Beth J]

3.5 stars. It started slow but grew on me. It was hard to keep track of all of the many characters, when I stopped trying to keep them straight and just went with the flow, I started enjoying it more.

[Miss]

it’s amazing how yet another london family made the same sort of mistake as others did, including the addis family who’s adventures where published years before this book and had a tv show based on the books

[Jan Dryden]

I've finally given up on this one. It wasn't gripping me.

[Norma]

Didn't get into this book. By page 60 nothing of interest had really happened. Yawn!

[Julie Hudson]

Very easy, light read to give me encouragement with our move to the west this year!

[Zara]

good book
this is a move I dream of often

[Nola]

Interesting account of a young couples move from London to the Cornwall coast, totally out of their comfort zones but loving the laid back lifestyle, something I'd like to do.

[Molly Tysle]

I thoroughly enjoyed your story, Tessa. I was engrossed and so comfortable reading it.

[Gail Danks]

Fantastic insight into Cornish life especially from the view of outsides

[Sue]

Very easy read, nice little story

[Angela]

Gentle read. Doesn't really 'go' anywhere, but doesn't need to.
If you like slow paced easy reading with lifelike characters, this is the book for you.

[Christine]

Enjoyed this as an audio book. Interesting characters.

[Darla Ebert]

Entertaining, tame. An inside peek at Cornwallians

[Amberly]

I was hope to liked this book but I really don't like it. This book was boring and dull also the font in book to small. The cover of book was stunning.

[Jane Bunting]

I enjoyed this easy to read book, especially because it was about Cornwall and a family making a dream of a good life come true.

[Miss Emma P Presley]

I loved this book. It is a gentle, funny read. Highly recommend!

[Sue Sargent]

gentle little story. easy read