The Christmas Mouse (The Fairacre Series #10)

Miss Read is best known as the author of the Fairacre novels (beginning with Village School) and the Thrush Green novels (beginning with Thrush Green). "The Christmas Mouse" is the second Christmas novel in the Fairacre series, the first being Village Christmas. "The Christmas Mouse" is the story of one Christmas for Mrs. Berry, her widowed daughter Mary, and her two granddaughters. There is not all that much of a plot to the story. The two women plan Christmas for the young children. During the night of Christmas Eve, there are two visitors, either one of which could be the titular mouse, and then the family celebrates Christmas. Throughout, though, are Mrs. Berry's memories, which add a great deal to the story, giving it depth and meaning, in particular with regard to Mary's relatively recent widowhood. So "The Christmas Mouse" is not long on plot, but it is rich nonetheless. The characters are fully formed, and so is the village as seen through Mrs. Berry's eyes. There are obvious similarities to Jane Austen's work and to Jan Karon's Mitford novels. Moreover, the fact that the entire story takes place over about thirty-six hours, from "The rain began at noon" (on Christmas Eve) to bedtime on Christmas Day, allows the reader to luxuriate in the cozy, albeit somewhat leaky, cottage of Mrs. Berry. This is not a saccharine novel of Christmas but instead an invitation to spend the holiday with Mrs. Berry, Mary, and the two girls. I'm glad I accepted that invitation.

THE CHRISTMAS MOUSE takes place in a small village in England. It's the, story of Mrs. Berry, an elderly widow who shares her home with her widowed daughter Mary and two granddaughters. Her daughter Mary is still grieving over the loss of her husband who was killed in a car accident. The two women are trying to manage their lives and to raise the little girls. Their cottage is small and 200 years old and really needs to have a man about to keep it in good repair. After a very busy Christmas Eve, the ladies go to bed after wrapping gifts and preparing a nice Christmas for the children. Soon after falling asleep, Mrs. Berry hears a mouse in her room. The spirited lady can handle anything, but a mouse. She's had a terrible phobia to mice ever since she was a young child. She decides to go back downstairs and refuses to return to her room. Mary sets a trap and the two very tired ladies try to wait out the mouse; however, after some time, the daughter returns to her bed, but the older lady insists on staying downstairs for a little while. Mrs. Berry is half-asleep and half-dreaming, when she hears another mouse, this time in her kitchen. The feeling and spirit of Christmas is very apparent in this short story. The two adults are struggling to have the bare essentials, but still try to share Christmas with friends and especially want to give the two little girls a happy Christmas. This is a wonderful story and will delight anyone who loves a cozy and very human read.

I loved this book! It is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket, while drinking a cup of tea. It lets you know what Christmas is celebrated like in England, and it leaves you with a warm, happy feeling.