Village School

All the Miss Read books are truly wonderful books that give you a respite from today's problematic world. Unforgettable characters with sometimes quite ordinary problems, but nevertheless, so interesting and often quite humorous as well. I am completely enchanted by Fairacre and Thrush Green! I first became acquainted with the Miss Read books through our public library although they did not have the whole set. I found others here and there but I'm not quite sure if there remain any that I have not read. Sometimes it's hard to tell by reading the descriptions alone. When I order a book and it turns out that it's one that I have read, I don't mind in the least, because they are worth reading over many times with a little time in between. To my great joy, Village School and Village Affairs are two that were new to me. I've decided to start collecting them all - one or two at a time! Then they will be mine to read whenever I want!

It took me a while to get used to the novels of Dora Saint (Miss Read), as I felt that there were no pressing problems for the protagonist to solve, other than an occasional leaky skylight in the schoolroom, the grumblings of cranky old Miss Pringle, and the like. Yet I found myself reluctant to put Village School down, just because it was like spending a pleasant quiet afternoon with a dear friend with no problems pressing on you. I love how Miss Read in the story feels all the same irritations we do with people who annoy us -- hypochondriacs, mettlesome busybodies, etc. -- yet always she manages to act with dignity and kindness and humor. These books document a way of life and sense of community that is rapidly disappearing from present day life.

I loved this book and do believe I have found another home when Mitford ends! I loved the characters and although simple, I can't wait to devour the next one!

So often in our 21st century world, we try to live our lives in absolutes. Perhaps we live with more fatalism than did dear Miss Read, and her flock of children at Fairacre School. The story of a rural school where poverty and want lived in many families, Miss Read helped bring beauty and creativity to her pupils. What struck me about Miss Read is her adaptability in the face of sudden village emergencies; a child or a parent who suddenly became in need of attention; an elderly teacher who needed rest. Miss Read and her contemporaries in the village of Fairacre were able to serve the needs of the community at sacrifice to their own needs. Somehow, there is the unspoken view in Fairacre that everything will work out if we pull together for a little while, and everything does. That's probably why Village School and the entire Fairacre series fit readers just as a warm quilted comforter would; the book is a photograph of what life can be when we help each other. This is a book which, in the gentlest way, illustrates the big picture. Sincerely, Robin

Five years have passed since Miss Read became the schoolmistress of the English village, Fairacre. A new school term is to begin and Miss Read looks forward to it with wonder, some trepidation, but mostly hopes for her pupils including three new students. Miss Read knows that she must help the somewhat frightened newcomers fit into the class as smoothly as possible. The school year brings its usual learning, fun, and skinned knees needing special tender care. Along with Miss Reed, the dedicated but somewhat old-fashioned yet quite popular "uncertificated Teacher" Miss Clare is back and the gloom and doom custodian Mrs. Pringle is ready to keep the building clean. Finally, the awe and energy of the wide-eyed children and their village relatives offer a new year of promise and hard work. The first novel in Miss Read's cherished Fairacre series, VILLAGE SCHOOL is a reprint of the 1955 tale that introduced the lovable teacher and her villagers to the world. Though written before Sputnik, the story line surprisingly retains a freshness and high energy level at a leisurely pace even as the remoteness of the village seems impossible in today's Internet world. The enjoyable offbeat cast remains fun to observe and often humorous as life in a bygone era comes fully alive in what was contemporary then but a strong historical now. This demonstrates how good a writer Miss Read is.Harriet Klausner

This book is the first leg of a heart warming adventure. Set in the imaginary world of Fairacre, a village in England, Miss Read, the headmistress, regales her readers with humorous stories about her students and the village residents. Come fall in love with such characters as Mrs. Pringle, a cantankerous hypochondriac, who cleans the school house and needles Miss Read with endless complaints. A more lovable character is Miss Claire who teaches the "babies" and is much respected by Miss Read and her fellow villagers. The author, Dora Jessie Saint, is a retired school teacher who pulls extensively from her own experiences. There are a number of books which include further adventures in Fairacre, including her most recent title "Tales from a Village School". In addition to Fairacre, she has other imaginary villages including Thrush Green and Caxley, each village has their own set of lovable characters and unique situations. If you are looking for sex, violence, or "street" language, these books are not for you. They are wholesome stories which engage the reader with their simple presentation of English village life. I highly recommend them for anyone who wants to escape to a simplier more genteel time.