GREAT READS

Lark Rise to Candleford

BBC Video

I have a pretty serious addiction to BBC costume dramas and can't seem to get enough of films and shows like "Pride and Prejudice," "Downton Abbey" and "Bleak House." "Lark Rise to Candleford" is my latest fix, and my, is it satisfying.

As the title hints, the show centers around the Victorian towns of Lark Rise and Candleford. Lark Rise is a tiny hamlet of country folk who struggle to find enough work, pay their rent, and clothe their children. Neighboring Candleford is a wealthier market town and its residents enjoy an easier lifestyle and a much higher social status. The character that ties the plot together is narrator Laura Timmins, a bright teenage girl who leaves humble Lark Rise to work at the post office in Candleford. Laura is torn as she knows that Candleford means opportunities for a better life, but her heart is in Lark Rise with her family, friends, and happy childhood memories.

The show has an eccentric cast of personalities from both towns, with captivating plots that make you want to watch just ONE more episode. You'll fall in love with the characters, but perhaps most charming is how the show captures a pivotal time in history - a time when people were more innocent and their daily lives moved with the land and seasons. Through beautiful cinematography and scenery, you watch the characters try to hold on to their traditions and values as a more modern age approaches.

If you're a costume drama, historical fiction, or gentler read fan, this series is for you.

Recommended by Erica Jesonis