In the Pink : A Rural Odyssey

by Molly Watson

When two city girls embark on an afternoon of idle window-shopping in Worcestershire and end up buying a horse, their lives swerve gloriously off course. Within weeks, they have abandoned their careers in London in favour of life in the wilds of Ledbury. But, their dreams of a sunny rural idyll, preferably funded by a landed local bachelor, are quick to shatter. Thrown into a hair-raising world, where the horses have cocaine habits and the locals have developed their own alternative to Viagra, Molly Watson and her sister, Annabel make their way through the maelstrom that is country life to hilarious effect. 'Molly Watson is our generation's Nancy Mitford and "In the Pink" is the 21st-century equivalent of "The Pursuit of Love"' - Toby Young. 'Full of fun, stylish and compelling' - Roger Scruton. 'Jolly japes from a fresh young pen' - "Tatler". 'Molly Watson has produced an hilarious, factual account of her year facing the hedges in Ledbury, Herefordshire, and the general turmoil that is horse ownership - A thoroughly enjoyable read' - "Horse Magazine". 'A fun, fizzy canter through the rural calendar that sees both girls leave their London jobs, join a hunt, and swap floaty sundresses for hacking jackets' - "Mail on Sunday". Author Molly Watson was born in Wales 28 years ago. The eldest of six children, she escaped first to a trading pit in the London Financial Futures Exchange and then to Oxford. After taking a degree in Modern History at Jesus College, she was appointed the "Evening Standard's" correspondent in New York and lived in America for several years. Despite her best efforts, she is currently living back at home in the Brecon Beacons with her parents and assorted siblings.

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and am re-reading this book, just LOVE it. A great book for anyone who loves horses and a light easy funny read!

[Amanda Larkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s such a shame this writer doesn’t seem to have written anything else as I would have ordered it immediately. I read this ages ago when It first came out and gulped it down over about two days. It is a testament to the writer that I still remember if fondly - even after so many years and other books read - and look her up every now and then to see if she’s written anything else.

‘In the Pink’ is very, very readable and funny. Molly Watson has a wonderful way of writing - confiding and hilarious - so it is like your best mate is telling you the stories of what she has been up to, over a few glasses of wine. Really enjoyed it. Write another book, Molly Watson!

[Toria Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I've actually bought it twice, lent it to friends and never seen it again. Going to have to buy it a third time...

[Seadaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a favourite read.

Love the idea of the story - city dwelling London girls who want to try a year in the English rural countryside and join the horsey hunting scene. I love the English country side, I love horses and farm life.

I have no idea what happened to Bree, she was in the story a bit, hurt her foot or elbow and then disappeared out of the story and apparently possibly got a corporate job.

The other sister went on a few hunts, horse got injured and that was it.

So in a nut shell the story had high hopes but didn’t deliver.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overwrought, overwritten fashionista-goes-rural nonsense.