On Dancing Hill

by Sarah Challis

Kate and Josh Hutchins have lived on Dancing Hill Farm in Dorset for thirty years. Here they have brought up three children, expected to grow old, and imagined they would pass the farm on to one of their boys, like generations of family before them. But things have not gone to plan. Neither of their sons wants the farm, their daughter is in love with a man with no real liking for the countryside, and Dancing Hill itself is no longer the profitable place it was once. And Kate is restless. Longing for some time to herself, dreaming of what she might have achieved had she not married so young. When her children give her a week's painting holiday in Provence she seizes it like a lifeline, hardly realising what a dangerous thing it is that she is doing.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published January 3, 2005

About the author

Sarah Challis, whose father is the distinguished cinematographer, Christopher Challis, travelled widely with film units as a child. She has since lived in Scotland and California but is now happily settled in a Dorset village with three rescued dogs and three chickens. She is married with four sons.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/s...

Reviews

[Kara Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 very delightful stars! I had originally picked up this book from a book exchange, and had thought it would be a good choice for my vacation read. I was rather disappointed, when I was going to begin reading,to see that this book had less than 100 reviews. With nothing else left to read on vacation, I decided to give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised, and have to say that I rather enjoyed this story! We follow the story of Kate Hutchins~ married for thirty years to Josh. They have lived and farmed on Dancing Hill Farm in Dorset, England. Having never ventured much further than their farming community, Kate's grown children gift her with a one week painting holiday in the south of France. After Kate departs for her vacation, a great many things go wrong on the farm. Her family decides that Kate does not need to know any of this until her return. In the meantime, I found there were many humourous moments that Challis captured quite well as Kate and Elspeth ( her travel companion ) settled into holiday mode in the south of France. A great many things happen as well while in France, and Kate must decide how and if this will affect her life once she returns home. A truly lovely story, and I intend to check out more by Challis.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life- this can be applied to all aspects of life and marriage when eyes are opened to how difficult and mundane living has become and also how the grass isn’t always greener xxx

[Michelle Danda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a very slow pace. In many ways it’s a feminist narrative woven together from the lives of three different women in different generations. I found it a bit boring and some of the plot didn’t really advance the story in an interesting way.

[Lauren Jackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is bought a holiday to France by her daughter and sons
She leaves her husband Josh and Father George to look after the farm. Josh is involved in an accident , Anna helps out and decides that she wants to leave her London life behind and make a go at farming

Kate is attracted to her art teacher Patrice and she finds it hard to believe that she is wanted / desired .

I wanted there to be more of a romantic reunion for Kate and Josh and feel that this could have been expanded on

Kate befriends Elspeth and they enjoy a walk together on the farm . Kate has the chance to go to France again but she declined and chooses her Life in Dorset .

[Lucy McLaurin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. One that you would class as a "nice" book. Do you remember your English teacher saying that you needed to use more than "nice" to describe something? But in some cases nice is the word to use. This was a nice book: nice and cosy; nice and gentle; nice and sweet; nice and loving; nice!

The characters were all lovable with their little quirks and foibles. The story-line gentle and interesting. This made for a good (nice!) read.

[Goldie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't finished this book as usual I dunno if it is me being impatient but for me it started really readable and I couldn't wait to see where the story went but no sooner then they arrived in France it became a bit too slow paced

[Steve Dymond · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit slow paced for me. It seems to take a long time to go nowhere and I became a bit bored reading about a Frenchman's hands. It was mildly enjoyable all the same and made me feel like holding a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of vin rouge in the other.

[Julie Round · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rural relationship tale that kept me intrigued to the end. I intend to read more by this author.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, ideal for the beach or when recovering from flu.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed descriptions of the countryside. Totally believable characters & scenarios. Unpredictable ending. A good new author to discover

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant offering!

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant enough book. A farmer wife gets given a chance to escape for a week - with all sorts of troubles happening at home that will have long lasting consequences. I did enjoy this book but it probably won't stick long in my mind.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grew up in a rural area & I think that that part of the book was well crafted. however the part set in the Painting School in the South of France had every cliché in the book! The sexy, laid back art teacher who shags his older women clients, the food, the other people. I reckon any such Painting School would soon lose custom, as it was he only had two women. I teach art & design for a living & I am also a painter. This sort of depiction is so predictable & so untrue. Sadly lots of people think that the art world & art classes are like this. Sorry it isn't true & it ruined the book for me. Otherwise some of the characterisation such as Josh, & George were well done.
Would have given it two & a half stars.

[Carinya Kappler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this novel enchanting; full of observations, character developments and resultant relationships and loyalties. It is in essence the story of an ever changing world where even those who are working hard and long no longer have a share in the wealth they continue to create. This is the world wide cry of farming communities who find change and innovation difficult to contemplate.
Kate has been a farmer's daughter and then a wife for her entire life. She takes a one week vacation to France where she encounters a culture vastly different from her entrenched structured life in England. She finds that her week's holiday has an enormous effect on her and the loved ones she leaves behind on Dancing Hill.
Excellent light reading!
Carinya

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly suprised by this book and it's portrayal of English farm life and it's resistance, yet almost mandatory move towards modernization in the 21st century; especially as farmers have to cope more and more with a diminishing income and more labor.
this is a story of love, loyalty and the people who try to make it work on God's land.

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Blackthorn Winter and was looking forward to another book by this author. If you like a slow, steady, safe read then this is for you. Sometimes its quite nice to read a book where you don't have to think or dwell too much. For me this wasnt as good as Blackthorn Winter, its a slow burner, but its a bit like an old friend, reliable and safe.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this for good bedtime reading. Not too taxing on the brain without being overly simplistic. A very pleasant book without any vulgarity or daftness. An excellent, engaging family drama type storyline made it a worthwhile read. Amusing in places.
Those with a farming background might particularly enjoy but most should appreciate the setting.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good as some of her other books but I still liked it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Understated, elegant writing. Lovely simple language, character driven. A pleasure to read

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Interesting book about living on farm in England..disappointed in ending.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab totally enjoyed this book. Loved the idea of the Eurostar to france and a painting holiday there.

[Christina Rochester · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as others by this author. It felt too slow to me and I didn't really connect with the characters.

[Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book. These people, with the exception on the main character, were just angry and manipulative. I read 100 pages and gave it away.

[Roxie Gallinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute read for a relax kind of read

[Arfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, the story is similar to my own experience as a farmer and a farmer's wife. Lovely book.