Structure

The title of James Rebanks’ autobiographical book, The Shepherd’s Life: A Tale of the Lake District immediately lets readers know that the book is going to describe life in the Lake District, from the perspective of the local farmers and shepherds. 

Consequently, the title suggests that the book is going to be a mix between a memoir and the history of the Lake District, as experienced by Rebanks and his ancestors. 

The beginning of the text sets the context: “I realized we were different, really different, on a rainy morning in 1987. I was sitting in an assembly in the 1960s-style shoddily built concrete comprehensive in our local town. I was thirteen or so years old…” (ll. 1-3). Through personal anecdotes, Rebanks describes his school experience...