Venetia Summers appears to lead a fairy-tale rural existence with her husband and two sons in her tumbledown Norfolk cottage. But when her husband leaves her for his masseuse, not even the arrival of a splendid baby daughter can make up for the sense of loss she feels for her newly lopsided family. Hens Dancing follows Venetia's diaries over the course of a year. It tells of domestic battles - with an unruly garden, errant cockerels, Orcs and War Hammers and a traumatic bathroom conversion. But there are also consolations: a passion for fun fur, the severe beauty of the Norfolk landscape, the regal serenity of The Beauty (Venetia's baby daughter) and perhaps, amongst it all, the promise of new love.

Barker is a talented comic writer - there is scarcely a word out of place, and the whole confection goes down a treat. All of which makes it your perfect holiday read * Sunday Times *
'Barker is a talented comic writer - there is scarcely a word out of place, and the whole confection goes down a treat. All of which makes it your perfect holiday read' Sunday Times
'Charming... Overflows with eccentric characters... A satisfying mix of entertaining domestic disasters and musings on kitten heels, hens and new love' Daily Mail
An uplifting and witty portrayal of family life in the Norfolk countryside. It celebrates a year of rich friendships and exuberant children, along with an eccentric mother and an infuriating ex... A delightfully wholesome novel with comic bite * Times *
'Witty and warm, capturing the absurdity of family life' Sunday Mirror
Charming... Overflows with eccentric characters... A satisfying mix of entertaining domestic disasters and musings on kitten heels, hens and new love * Daily Mail *
'Effortless style' Eastern Daily Press
'An uplifting and witty portrayal of family life in the Norfolk countryside. It celebrates a year of rich friendships and exuberant children, along with an eccentric mother and an infuriating ex... A delightfully wholesome novel with comic bite' Times

Raffaella Barker is the daughter of novelist Elspeth and poet George Barker. She lives in Norfolk, and is a regular contributor to Country Life and the Sunday Telegraph.