Village Diary

I just finished reading "Village Diary" by Miss Read for the second, maybe the third time. I just ordered it this year and keep it, along with about six or seven of her other Fairacre books, on my nightstand. I found it to be perfect for nighttime reading...a gentle visit to a folksy little village where the contemporary world rarely intrudes. Miss Read's observations of human nature are masterfully brought to life in this captivating little journal. Fairacre's citizens are not perfect - far from it - but there is a down-to-earth honesty and natural country-folk goodheartedness about them that has the same effect on me as it used to have when I snuggled down on my grandmother's lap to hear her stories. And as another reviewer observed, even Mrs. Pringle gets my vote. In fact, she is one of my favorite characters. Her observations of life often make me laugh out loud (much to my husband's consternation at times.) Miss Read often refers to her as the "old harradan" and "my curmudgeonly school cleaner". But there is something about her that has one knowing that beneath that crusty exterior is someone who just wants to belong and be part of a loving village family. The scene in the schoolroom where she finds out that Miss Read is not breaking her heart over Mr. Mawne is an example. "Her belligerent countenance softened, and a rare smile curved those dour lips. For a moment we sat smiling at one another across the inkstand, ..." There is a wealth of understanding and affection in those two sentences that goes far deeper than the every-day irritations we bring upon one another. Her descriptions of the village, of the delights nature brings at the various seasons of the year, the vicar's ever-present moulting gloves, Mr. Willet's "stained mustache", little Joseph Coggs... (I'd love to put my arms around that little guy and hug him!).....all of these details bring untroubled reflections to the reader's heart....reflections as warm as hot chocolate and a fireside doze. All of Miss Read's books are like this. If you're looking for action, edgy dialogue and a fast-paced plot, you won't find them in these writings! I think that more people need to read - and write - books like this!

Village Diary I loved the way that this book was written in particular, broken down by month. Each chapter flew by. Gossip about Miss Read and Mr. Mawne, the coming of new babies, weather, the pageant and other goings-on of the village made this book hard to put down. Fairacre is a most lovable village and one that is close to my heart. Even Mrs. Pringle with her meddlesome ways will squirm her way in there. You will find yourself looking for every Fairacre book there is, staying up all night, not being able to get enough of this delighful little village!

I agree with everything my fellow reviewer says, but bemoan the fact that at this point, only our two reviews exist for this superb book! What a travesty, especially when books such as "Geek Love" (which I regretfully had to read for a book group) and other low-grade trash were/are bestsellers. Oh well. If you're lucky enough to happen across "Village Diary" or any and all of Miss Read's books, you'll know why this is a five-star review. The other reviewer here gives an excellent general overview of "Village Diary," but let me add that the HUMOR in this book is of the laugh-out-loud variety.. I believe it was the New York Times that described Miss Read as having "an almost beery sense of humor" and that truly nails it. There's nothing saccharine or maudlin or cuddly-sweet, it's just plain funny. Without being disgusting, profane, or dumb. Plus, there are perfectly exquisite sentences that I just had to read out loud to savor all the more. The only thing that bugs me is that on the reissued covers of the Miss Read novels, there appears a quote from Jan Karon to plug the books. Frankly I consider Jan Karon the biggest plagiarist around, as in my opinion, she stole her entire Mitford idea from Miss Read's Fairacre and Thrush Green novels. And as an author, Jan Karon doesn't even come close to Miss Read. The other thing I'll say is that although written in 1955, Village Diary is completely fresh and relatable in 2008. It only makes you wish you could excise the rotten parts of today's culture which really weren't around back then. This is a great book, and I think you'll love it.

Village Diary was first published in 1957 by Dora Jessie Saint (Miss Read), a British school teacher turned author and is the second in the beloved Miss Read series. The Miss Read series, while originally published over fifty years ago is not dated. It is a wonderful vacation for a reader; an invitation to return to a gentler time. Once a reader visits Miss Read's world, they will want to take up residence in the wonderful village of Fairacre. Miss Read truly is Jan Karon's predecessor. In Village School, Miss Read concentrated on the school children and the villagers were secondary characters. In Village Diary, she spends a year with the inhabitants of Fairacre in the Cotswold. Each chapter encompasses a month of the year and gives a glimpse of the inner workings of village life. Vignettes about situations and people are strung together to form a delicious novel. Miss Read invites us to see what is going on with familiar characters (from Village School) and also introduces us to some new characters. There's Amy, who is a bossy college friend; Mr. Mawne, who is thought to be husband material; a new baby; battles between neighbors; and a pageant. And it's all told with a sense of humor, a sharp eye for human behavior, and a personal look at the changing life of an English village. In our fast-paced, stress-filled world, Village Diary is a welcome respite for a weary soul. The series is my all-time favorite. Once you visit Fairacre, you'll want to stay awhile. Armchair Interviews says: Start with Village School and then take a journey with Miss Read through more village life adventures with Village Diary. When those adventures are complete, move on to Storm in the Village.