THE WOEFIELD POULTRY COLLECTIVE
By Susan Juby

Popular YA author Susan Juby takes a very, very small step into adult fiction with this simple, good-natured story of a young woman who leaves the big city to run a farm on Vancouver Island left her in her uncle's will.

Four characters share the narrative duties. The virtuous and unflappable Prudence is the inheritor, obviously in over her head but determined to make a go of things and save the farm from being taken over by the bank. In this she is aided by Seth, a shut-in, alcoholic blogger (is there any other kind?), a crotchety old farmhand named Earl who plays bluegrass music and passes along wisdom like how it "don't pay to ask questions about things that is none of your business," and Sara Spratt, an adorably plucky tyke from a broken home who readers will just want to take big bites out of.

The character types and basic elements of the story will be familiar to fans of shows like Wingfield. Juby doesn't leave anything out, from comic set pieces based around a dysfunctional creative writing group, Sara's prize chickens, a visit to the Home Depot that goes terribly awry, and Prudence's attempt to re-brand the farm as a drug rehab centre. There is also a romantic subplot involving Prudence and a preternaturally handsome young veterinarian. Much humorous chaos ensues, but rest assured things will all work out in the end as our heroes plan to save the farm by . . . putting on a show!

It's hard to really dislike a book so determined to charm, and so obvious about its intentions. Juby's novel isn't realistic, or even fully grown-up fiction, but contents itself with telling a sweet, heart-warming story in a fully transparent and unsophisticated way. As befits its gentle satire there are few belly laughs but plenty of smiles, and should delight readers of all ages.

Notes:
Review first published in Quill & Quire, April 2011.

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