Based loosely on the life of poet John Clare, this charming tale takes us through a year of country living in the 1800s, showing the customs of the villagers and opening a window on their family lives and courting rituals. The language throughout is poetic, but a couple of disturbing scenes stop it from being twee. Also a smattering of Romany words and local dialect, but nothing too obtrusive and the glossary at the end clears up any confusion.