The Howards of Caxley

The Caxley Chronicles #2

by Miss Read

A chronicle story of the enduring serenity and strength of an English country town as it adjusts to the hardships of World War II

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Audiobook, Relationships, Historical

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1967

About the author

Dora Jessie Saint MBE née Shafe (born 17 April 1913), best known by the pen name Miss Read, was an English novelist, by profession a schoolmistress. Her pseudonym was derived from her mother's maiden name. In 1940 she married her husband, Douglas, a former headmaster. The couple had a daughter, Jill. She began writing for several journals after World War II and worked as a scriptwriter for the BBC.

She wrote a series of novels from 1955 to 1996. Her work centred on two fictional English villages, Fairacre and Thrush Green. The principal character in the Fairacre books, "Miss Read", is an unmarried schoolteacher in a small village school, an acerbic and yet compassionate observer of village life. Miss Read's novels are wry regional social comedies, laced with gentle humour and subtle social commentary. Miss Read is also a keen observer of nature and the changing seasons.

Her most direct influence is from Jane Austen, although her work also bears similarities to the social comedies of manners written in the 1920s and 1930s, and in particular the work of Barbara Pym. Miss Read's work has influenced a number of writers in her own turn, including the American writer Jan Karon. The musician Enya has a track on her Watermark album named after the book Miss Clare Remembers, and one on her Shepherd Moons album named after No Holly for Miss Quinn.

In 1996 she retired. In 1998 she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to literature. She died 7 April, 2012 in Shefford Woodlands.

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second, and last, of the Caxley books, following the fortunes of two families living in Caxley. These two books cover a much wiser time period than the other Miss Read books, but it was an interesting journey with them. All wrapped up in a very satisfying way. I think I'll enjoy going back to these for a re-read.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being an avid fan of both the Fairacre and Thrush Green series I really didn't enjoy this as much as I expected. It is written in a rather brisk style and relates the story of two families. There were rather a lot of characters and the inclusion of a family tree although helpful, rather spoiled the story, as you could see who got married and died before you could read about it properly.

[Cindy DavisClark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading a series of books by Miss Read that have been favorites. They took place in a small village in England. She departed from the village of Fairacre to write two books about two families in Caxley. This is the second. I did not like these as well as her other books and can't determine exactly why.

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah one of my faves! I do love a ‘Miss Read’ book but this is the first of the ‘Caxley chronicles’ I have listened to as an audio. A wonderful tale of the two larger-than- life characters & their families to inhabit the fictional town of Caxley from 1890 on. The historical facts & social history details dotted throughout are really interesting and, as ever, Dora Saint weaves a timeless tale of human nature, which never dates.

I don’t usually log audios on here as I still think listening is not reading & doesn’t really count! However, I do want a record of which ones I have listened to so here it is!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the charming story of two families who live and run businesses in the Market Square of the Cotswold town of Caxley. They are the Howard and North families who have merged as the children of each family married into the other. It is a bit hard to keep track of who's an uncle, who's the grandmother and who's a cousin (many of them are double-cousins because their parent's sibling is married to the other parent's sibling! Sounds incestuous, but it isn't!)
The book covers the time period of 1939-1950ish and is full of typical war-time challenges and heroics, as well as all the nuisances of rationing! It is a true family saga; some family members are a strength and bulwark to all, while others are a drag and trouble-makers. It gently takes the reader along the path of life, showing the inevitable hand-off from one generation to the next.
It does seem somewhat far-fetched that Edward, the family's shining jewel, would be willing to give up a promising career in plastics in London (and international travel!) to come back to Caxley to take over the family businesses of bake shop and restaurant, but because this is Miss Read, I guess we should expect that!
I liked it very much and would give it 3.5 stars if possible!

[Susan Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently finished all the Thrush Green and Fairacre books - they are my joy and delight.
The Caxley books are different.
Both books have a more somber tone (due in part to WWI & WWII and deaths in general) but Miss Read's wit and humour comes through...but again these books are very different.

They Caxley books remind me of Elizabeth Goudge's wonderful novels The Eliot Chronicles - full of twists and family drama...with duty, love and redemption shining through...but not without some very serious and tragic turns along the way

I particularly like how she captures our British history, wildlife and seasons and the calm beauty provided in nature and the solid comfort of a secure family life. Miss Read captures the changing history of an English village and the match of progress....which isn't always "progress" at all.

They are good books - Miss Read was truly brilliant as a writer - but they are not as light and comforting as Thrush Green and Fairacre, but they are very good books.

[Tuesdayschild · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Caxley Chronicles focuses more on the Howard & North grandchildren and the families lives as a whole around, and during, WWII.
The Caxley books are written at a quicker pace, a more compact tone, than the ambling Thrush Green books. I enjoyed these books too, they make for interesting, clean reading.
Not unlike Thrush Green, tales of life, joy, love, hope, and triumph are interconnected with ones of death, loss, sorrow, jealousy, and brokenness in this story - I like the way the story ended for Edward, and his sister, Joan.

Extra: divorce seems to feature more in the Caxley books than in Thrush Green series. One of the characters starts to display violent manic behaviour, and is eventually sent to a psychiatric hosptial.
An adult son meets up with the father that abandoned him, along with his mother and sister, when he was 4yrs old - it's not a joyous reunion, but more an opportunity for closure.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of the Miss Read books. This book is mainly based around the late '30s on. Part of it covers the events of the second world war and how the people dealt with that. It starts eight years on from the events of the Market Square.

Edward goes to flying school. Someones wife dies and son goes insane. A business grows and someone ends up returning to and staying in Caxley. There's romance, death, rationing and other basically normal daily happenings.

I like the part most that deals with World War II and how the people of Caxley had to deal with that, including evacuees and shortages.

[Anna Plishak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Душевна сімейна сага, яка охоплює період Другої світової війни та повоєнний час. У її центрі вигадане атмосферне містечко Кекслі та його жителі - родини Говардів та Ноксів, чиї долі тісно переплелися. На невеличкий об'єм роману було дуже багато персонажів, я часто плуталася: хто є хто, проте читати було цікаво.
⠀
Книга про сімейні цінності і підтримку, про уміння прощати і починати життя спочатку, про те, що після чорної смуги завжди настає біла, а життя перемагає смерть.
⠀
Мені дуже сподобалась ця історія, з радістю читатиму й інші книжки авторки)

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Howards of Caxley” is a follow up to “The Market Square” . “The Market Square” takes place from the late 1800s to the late 1920s & “The Howards of Caxley” starts at the lead up to World War II [1939] and ends around the 1950s. The stories revolve around the Caxley market square and focus on the struggles and triumphs of two families - the Howards and the Norths. Over the course of 2 world wars, the fortunes of these two families wax and wane as they fought, intermarried and overcame the loss of sons / spouses. While the Caxley stories are still considered “comfort reads”, I prefer Miss Read’s village series [Fairacre and Thrush Green]. Perhaps, I enjoy Miss Read’s village series more because those stories tend to focus on the entire community and seem to progress at a more leisurely pace.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Caxley Chronicles two-book series--The Market Square and The Howards of Caxley--are probably now my favorite books of the many I've read by Dora Jessie Saint, otherwise known as Miss Read. There is more depth here, with themes of love, loss, joy, failure, betrayal, forgiveness, duty, selfishness, humility, sacrifice...you get the picture. At the same time, Miss Read's gentle and quirky sense of humor is still at work, which adds authenticity and a lighter tone. The author's heart and soul apparently went into creating the captivating story of these two families and their interactions through several generations. Very highly recommended!

[Alžběta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually purposely avoid books about or set during either World War as the world has been teetering on the brink of another war or collapse for years. However, I made an exception with the Chronicles of Caxley series because Miss Read's writing is simply delicious, irresistible and soothing. And I wasn't disappointed. In "The Howards of Caxley," Miss Read beautifully illustrates how life goes on, even amid war and personal tragedy. If anything, this book only left me inspired and moved. Miss Read and her writing never disappoint!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, my least favorite of hers that I have read. I don't read her for her brilliant writing style, inventive plots or well-rounded character development. What I like about her books is the vintage setting of pre-war rural England. This book takes places post WWII up to the early 1960's so....I'm not feeling it.

[Sandybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely gentle stroll in Miss Read country in the second of her Caxley novels. A joy to read and a simple story where life and nature are described with such vividness that you can hear the rush of the river Cax and smell the wallflowers in Spring.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice & cozy book, much like the first in the series except a much faster pace. Enjoyable storyline but felt like it should be 3 books instead of one because of the pace & time gaps. All in all a nice way to spend a few afternoons reading.

[Elizabeth Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gentle old fashioned easy listening. Maybe just whats needed during the lockdown.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A library find.
Interesting.
Enjoyable!

[Cat Sansom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Miss Read books but unfortunately this one didn’t grab me in the same way. Also while it’s written of a certain time, the racist/sexist parts were still quite jarring.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, really enjoyed.

[Tiffany E-P]

DNF
Did not like this series. Thrush Green is better

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Read never disappoints(me at least)! A slow paced story of a small sleepy English community through the war years and beyond.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Miss Read books are warm, cozy afternoon or evening reads, my copy of this is an audiobook and I thoroughly enjoyed the narration. I often listen to audio at night in bed, they are relaxing after a busy day. If you enjoy some cozy, easy listening/reading, these are lovely and relaxing. There is humour and warmth in them, there are so many good characters and many reappear throughout the series.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Market Square again and had to follow it with The Howards of Caxley, also a re-read. I understand the readers who didn't really get into it or didn't like it as much as the Fairacre or Thrush Green books. This is a stand alone, you could read this without Market Square or read both and everything is contained in both books although a few Fairacre characters have cameos in the books.

My reason for not loving it is Howards of Caxley leans into soap opera, there's more domestic strife even with World War II. Also Bender and Sep become minor characters and the new leading characters don't have the same kind of spirit and humor, they're nice but a little dull.

I will give Miss Read, Dora Saint, credit for how she describes mental illness and the compassion she shows. This was written in 1968 and attitudes have changed, there is more knowledge and research since then but this aspect of the book holds up well 50 years later.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I probably should have given another star to the other "Caxley" book also. They are such wonderful novels
and a nice ending to all the books I've read in the Fairacre series. Both of "Caxley" books cover the first 50 years of the 20th century in this small market town. It's the story of the Norths and the Howards who have their businesses and homes (upstairs) across from each other on the Market Square. The North's own an ironmonger store, and the Howard's own a bakery. Bender North and Sep Howard are friends for life although there are things that happen that tear their friendship apart for a period of time.The joys and tragedies that happen to them and their children and grandchildren make for a fascinating and riveting read .
I will have to find some more of Miss Read's books. They are truly a joy to read.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 3 out of 5]

I work at my branch library and for a whiles shelved "Fiction" books. I noticed Miss Read books. I had never heard of her but noticed they were older books but were still checked out by our patrons. Then, one day while at the Circulation Desk one of our patrons brought one to check out. When I asked about it, she said, "If you like Jan Karon's Mitford Series, you will like Miss Read book." She was right. I was really glad I chose this one to as my first one. The time was 1939...the year I was born,,, through 1950 when I was 11 years old. It was so interesting reading about the history of the period when I was too young to really understand the world outside my own. I liked all of the characters and their story. "If you like Jan Karon's Mitford series, you'll like this one."

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have seen 'Miss Read' books advertised and available for many years but never read one myself. I saw this one at a used book sale (50 cent table!) last week and bought it for an aunt but decided to read it myself first. This story about an extended family in an English country village during and after World War II was quite enjoyable and likely an authentic representation of the era. I may look for more of her many titles in future.

ML

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Read is best known for her Fairacre and Thrush Green village novels which are many. This book is set in Caxley, which is a larger market town. It's a sort of family saga, but not nearly as long as some, centering around a family of small business owners. A great comfort read.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this one in the car. I LOVE Miss Read and especially the Caxley tomes and I really enjoy having June Barrie read them to me!!!!

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light reading about life in rural England. A book to pass the time without much thinking or concentration.

[Juliana Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book spanning about a decade - conveys the complicated family life of the Howard's with some sad parts but an optimistic ending. I really must read more of these books..!