The man on the other side

by Ada Barnett

"The Man on the Other Side" by Ada Barnett is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Ruth Courthope Seer, a woman in her forties who has finally achieved ownership of Thorpe Farm after a hard life of struggle. As she finds solace in her new home, she begins to feel a connection to the land and its previous owner, leading to themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The opening of the novel introduces Ruth as she luxuriates in the beauty and ownership of her farm, reflecting on her solitary life without family. Dogs Sarah and Selina accompany her, highlighting her nurturing nature. Ruth encounters a mysterious stray dog, whose arrival shifts her introspection to thoughts of a previous owner, setting the stage for deeper connections, both with the land and the man who once cherished it. The dynamic of her meeting with Roger North, a man connected to the farm's past, hints at the intertwining of their lives and the unfolding narrative of grief and healing set against the backdrop of rural peace.