Good summer read from prolific Norfolk author 

Prolific Christian author Barrie Lawrence has been at it again, spinning more tales of life in his favourite part of the world – Norfolk of course.

Tales from a Country Boy – A Treasury of Norfolk, follows on from his well-read book, Big Blue Sky - A Celebration of Norfolk.

Barrie is bred and born a Norfolk bor, well travelled now but still preferring his home county.

He regales readers with his mardles of Norfolk characters such as Tater, Digger, Mucker and its very own Dr Doolittle.

Quirky tales of the bird whisperer, the wart buyer, barneypigs, pollywiggles, pishamires and Black Shuck are interspersed with bite-sized nuggets of local history, natural history, anecdotes and well-known Norfolk attractions. The distinct Norfolk dialect also gets a whole chapter on its rural charm.

Norfolk fayre like Cromer crabs, Brancaster mussels and Stiffkey cockles are all covered, not to mention samphire, bloaters, kippers and dumplings.

Barrie says: “It is largely secular, though I seamlessly weave in references to the fact that I am a Christian. For example, I loved my patients and my work as a dentist, but my Christian faith takes priority over all else. Simple stories of a changed life, answered prayers, and a few miracles – everyday stuff really.”

If you want some light feel-good summer reading – this would do nicely.

Available at Waterstones, Jarrolds (Norwich), Amazon.co.uk and other local bookshops. RRP £11.95. Or email Barrie for a copy in post (UK only) at £12 to incl p&p at barrielawrence@btinternet.com

Review by Keith Morris