Summer at Fairacre

Fairacre #16

by Miss Read

Chronicles the problems of the inhabitants of Fairacre and the surrounding English villages of Thrush Green and Caxley

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Humor, Summer, Cozy, Novels

241 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

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

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, gentle, sweet- I'm running out of clever things to say about the Fairacre series. Fortunately, I'm nearly at the end- but that's not to say they are all the same, or all boring, or anything bad. I love these books precisely for their gentleness, their civility, their quietness.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun one--less overarching plot than some of the previous stories. (Because, really, we all know Mrs. Pringle will be coming back sooner or later!) There were some different angles on married and single people and how they cope when they are suddenly alone (the marrieds) or with company (the singles). It's all rather amusing. The only thing I didn't like was Miriam marrying Gerard Baker. They seem completely unsuited! Plus I always thought (after No Holly for Miss Quinn) that she was dedicatedly single. I'm disappointed. Although I do like that he's a man from her past. That is a romance trope I especially adore.

I think these books get more funny as the series progresses and Miss Read (the author) finds her fictional feet more and more.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! And being #16 in a series, I didn't feel at a loss at all. I'm going to seek more of these out!

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely visit to Fairacre, as usual. Although spring was rather late in coming (there was snow on the first day of spring), the summer was hot and relatively dry. Miss Read revels in the sunshine and heat. I must confess that I do not share her opinion. I also suspect our definitions of “hot” differ. We are in the middle of a heatwave here in Oklahoma - tomorrow’s forecasted high is 100F/38C and on Monday the mercury is expected to reach 101F. 30C is considered quite hot in England, but we would find that refreshingly cool in July and August!

But not everything is roses in Fairacre. Mrs. Pringle is suffering a “flare-up” of her bad leg, and she has given up her job as school cleaner. Miss Read scrambles around to get temporary help at both the school and her house. When Mrs. Pringle further states that she is giving up the job permanently, Miss Read posts an advertisement in the Caxley Chronicle and at the Post Office.

Mrs. Pringle keeps the school on tenterhooks — will she come back, or won’t she? By the time summer ends, she has finally made her decision.

4.5 stars.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Read's books have long been favorites of mine, and I turn to them quite often when I'm in need of something peaceful and comforting to read. I'm so incredibly grateful to have read this again at this particular time when there is so much uncertainty and turmoil in the world.

I read an article recently that stated that for many people rereading old favorites is the only reading they can manage at the moment because cognitive energy is finite and being used up trying to manage the stress of our current situation. It's certainly proven to be the perfect time for me to reread the Fairacre series. And when I've finished it I'll be reaching for the books in the Thrush Green series. There's nothing so comforting as a familiar and much-loved book!

[Jessica Janeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! It felt like such a warm hug although the first part, Fairacre was covered in snow ☺️.
I really was able to just sit back and let these characters and setting surround me.

[Books I'm Not Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess this is #16 in the Fairacre series, and I may have read one other book, Village School, which was very similar to this. I think I enjoyed Village School more. It was a bit jarring to have Miss Read be the protagonist! Still, light, vignettes of village life ... like very light cream for your mind.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that Miss Read was resting on her laurels when she wrote this! Joseph Coggins appeared in her first book 'Village School' which she wrote in 1955, how he is still in primary school in 1984(when this one was published) is beyond me. The book is set after 1971 as they are using decimal currency they also talk about the nearby motorway. She could have had a nice storyline about Joseph's son starting at the school or firmly set the story at around 1960. Sorry to go on but it really is irritating and spoils a nice relaxing read.

[Sara R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the Mitford series by Jan Karon, you'll enjoy this. But for me, it was missing something...and that "something" was Jesus Christ truly being in Miss Read's life. There's so much more she could have been, all for the better. Instead she was pretty hum-drum. It was well-written, and those who don't know the difference would enjoy it all the same.

[Mary Durrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters, beautiful illustrations all told by Miss Read who has an eye for the ways of country life.
Where the seasons come and go, old familiar characters, it is such a delight to be lost in the world of Fairacre!

[Laura Bang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dearly love this series and it is such a balm to take up another volume whenever I am in need of comfort. (Only 4 more, alas!)

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbeatable Miss Read on audio for stressful & boring moments alike!

[Susan Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

So enjoyable. I love visiting Fairacre in the summer. Lovely twists and turns...with Miss Read's dry humour...just lovely

[Hannah Conner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the sudden and uncharacteristic introduction of "damn" into her writing, it was enjoyable.

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Miss Read and I usually love Fairacre but I'm docking this one some stars for two reasons:

1. Mrs. Pringle and Minnie Pringle. Ugh. The way "Miss Read" (Dora Saint) describes Minnie Pringle is awful and not funny. Mrs. Pringle is a good character but the "will she / won't she" situation for whether she'll return to cleaning the school went on for far too long. (And will probably come up again in the next book, because that is what passes as DRAMA in Fairacre.)

2. Miss Quinn's story (No Holly for Miss Quinn) gets ruined here. Absolutely ruined. Why? It's not romantic, it wasn't needed, and now Fairacre is a smidge less charming to me. What about poor Martin, if she had to get paired off with someone?

Will I still read the rest in the series? Yes, of course. Fairacre (and Thrush Green) are comforting places to visit, even if I didn't care for a certain storyline.

[Marian Grudko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to live in Fairacre. The next best thing is a visit, accomplished by opening one of the books in this beloved series. Miss Read's books are the epitome of charm and comfort, with enough tasty wit to
satisfy our cynical souls. In this story she hands us summer, so vividly we can almost pick up the fragrance of her garden. And through the season, little stories and tangles and cozy depictions that make her village life so irresistible. I'm going back to Fairacre, now, for a while - maybe along with another, different want-to-read - but never too far away.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

More 3.5. It's sweet and simple. Very British but then the story is set in a little British village (fictional) so I guess that's expected.
You could write a whole essay on small communities and interpersonal relationships within them, based on this book. It's full of characters, much like life.
It was like having sponge cake with tea on a not-too-cold winter day. You should check it out if you're in that kind of mood because it can seem slow otherwise. I had a nice time. I'd like a holiday in Fairacre.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it over again - second or third time. A very nice book to read on summer vacation. Miss read wrote all these books about the everyday happenings in a teacher's life, in a little English village school. I'm a bit of a romantic so it came as a surprise that one of my favorite things about this series is that the teacher is not married and loves her single life and holds onto her single state regardless of the constant efforts of her best friend, and many others in the village.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I love to go "live" in Fairacre for spell, and follow the luscious descriptions of a perfectly flowered, starred and sunny summer among people who accept each other, work things out, have fun with their small dramas, and give each other a good time in life. Like my beloved "Cranford" by Mrs.Gaskell, I am so calmed and soothed and delighted by these simple people in a lovely small corner of England, doing their best for each other. Long live Miss Read! Long Live Fairacre!

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no wrong time to read Miss Read's comforting books. Every time I sit down with one of the Fairacre or Thrush Green books, it's like visiting old friends and continuing where you left off. Summer at Fairacre is my latest read in the Fairacre series. I love how Miss Read says what we're all secretly thinking. Her writing easily relates to so many elements in my own life as a teacher and I know I will never get tired of revisiting her books throughout the years.

[Becky Bartholomew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style here is more self-conscious and intellectual than in the other Miss Read stories I've read... more compound sentences, reaching for adjectives, multi-syllable words, and telling rather than showing, as in labeling characters before their development. Perhaps this was written in a hurry? Still a nice, fulfilling story, just lacking a bit of charm.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a restful escape to Fairacre and the comings and goings of its citizens!

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't decide if this was pleasantly sweet or just plain dull. I ended up leaning toward the latter. Must be an acquired taste.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1984, this 8th in the Thrush Green series was a great escape into a fictitious English village. Miss Read is the teacher at the local two-room school house and the quirky characters provide an entertaining canvas. Being a Mitford fan, it is evident that the author's writing style and descriptions inspired Jan Karon and her series about Father Tim.

Miss Read was searching for excuses to decline being a speaker at an evening event:
"I was probably the seventeenth person on her list, all the others having sensibly made plans to go abroad, have visitors, contract shingles, and so on."

I enjoyed this volume, but am not compelled to back up and start at the beginning of the series.
I get it.
;)

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things we learn and that happen in this addition to the series:

Physical discipline is not allowed in the school, hence no paddling. Amy's husband might still be cheating on her. Minnie can't read and is clumsy. (Something well established before.)

Miss Read has to give a speech on teaching. Amy seems to disappear. Miss Pringle seems to get even nastier and eventually quits. Sort of. She's actually the one character in the series I really don't like. She may be good at her job but I still think the way she acts and talks would get her fired right off in most places.

It seems, unfortunately for me, the next book is going to be all about her.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled across this at the library and was drawn in by the portrait of English village life in the not so distant past.

What a treat. I was like the English version of “Enchanted April”: beautiful and evocative descriptions - of people, weather, flowers, the land - that make you feel yourself present there. It was also reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables with the village doings, various friends and personalities, events, dramas, etc. I did end up laughing out loud a few times, though it took me a few chapters to become invested. By the end, however, I really enjoyed it, and I will be on the lookout for other Miss Read Adventures.

[Grace Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the first book in the series was rather dull, which surprised me bc I adore books set in the English countryside. But when I found several more for cheap at a thrift store with their charming little covers, well, I couldn't just LEAVE them there all alone! I thought maybe I'd give them another chance, and I'm so glad I did because I've definitely fallen under the spell of charm and simplicity cast by the quirky denizens of Fairacre and Miss Read. When I slip into the pages in the evening lately, I feel like I'm catching up with old friends. I dub these the perfect, cozy bedtime choice for fans of Jan Karon, Rosamund Pilcher, or D. E. Stevenson.

[Slbramson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Miss Read. I can't exactly say why. Maybe it reminds me of a totally different era in a place where people took care of each other and treated each other with kindness. Or, maybe it was never really like this anywhere in England, ever. I hope that's not true. I hope that, even if the author was "overegging the pudding," (as she often says) things and people were at least somewhat the way she describes them, at some point in history.

I have to say, though, that I've read both series and this one is better-written. Some of the books in the other series seem as if they weren't actually written by Dora Saint. Has anybody read both series and, if so, what do you think?

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

#16 in the Fairacre series. Another cozy Miss Read book describes the weather and flora of a short spring and a long ummer in Fairacre through the eyes of the village school teacher and her friends. Mrs. Pringle, the school cleaner,decides her leg has flared up yet again and she can't continue cleaning the school or Miss Read's house. She is really sulking over a perceived insult, and just wants to make things hard for everyone. However Miss Read, with help from friends, is able to get temporary help enough to keep going. When Mr. Willet offers to do the stoves, it is the last straw for Mrs. Pringle, and she decides she can do the work after all, rather than let Mr. Willet near "her" stoves.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable relaxing Miss Read read. This one was more amusing than previous ones, the sarcasm subtle and not unkind but hilarious none the less. I enjoy reading a book from this series every now and again to escape from the world's problems and allow it bring me back to a simpler time. I especially love the author's abilities to paint pictures with words; her descriptions of spring and summer in Fairacre are exquisite, and not something I encounter in my other readings.