Birkin, the narrator, has been commissioned to uncover a medieval wall painting in a country church. At the same time another man, Moon, is searching for a lost grave in a nearby field. Both are war survivors.

The book opens at a railway station in the pouring rain. The narrator steps off a train and into an alien world. It ends, after a season, with the narrator setting off back home – drawing a line under the place and the time spent there, making the point from a distance of nearly sixty years that he has never been back.

So the ‘month’ is in fact rather longer – perhaps ten weeks – but it is a finite period of time, in a separate place, during which a mysterious process of healing and revelation takes place very quietly.

Points for discussion

1. How important is the First World War to the narrative?  At what stage do you become aware of its influence?

2. At the beginning of the book, Birkin and Moon could both be described as ‘outsiders’. To what extent does Birkin come to belong? Does he make a conscious choice about whether or not remain an outsider?

3. When Alice asks Birkin if he believes in Hell, he replies “Yes, I’ve been there; I have a map of it in my head”. Do you feel that the juxtaposition of medieval and twentieth century visions of Hell is effective?

4. A major theme of the book is the coming to light of things that have been concealed. What other secrets come to light as the wall painting is uncovered?  Are all these secrets best revealed or would some be better kept hidden? To what extent are the characters’ views about this culturally determined?

5. By the end of the book, Birkin understands that he has spent the summer in the presence of a very great artist. He has also encountered a surprising amount of human warmth and generosity. Do you think the author intends us to see one of these experiences as more influential on the healing process than the other?

6. Did you enjoy the book?  Would you wish to read another by the same author?

Suggestions for prayer

1. Give thanks for the work of all artists, and for the skill and dedication of those who help to preserve works of art and make them available for the enjoyment of others.

2. Pray for all those affected by war and its aftermath – particularly those living in places torn by war and violence today.

3. Pray for all who carry the scars of horrible experiences, especially those whose pain is kept well hidden. Pray for compassion and understanding, and for the grace not to pass judgement on others whose back stories we cannot know.

4. Pray for outsiders, and that we may be open and hospitable to all we meet.