A Country Christmas

by Miss Read

Taken from the original omnibus CHRISTMAS AT FAIRACRE, Miss Read's wonderfully festive collection of Christmas stories is packed with entertaining characters and enchanting stories. From the rural festivities in Village Christmas and Jingle Bells to the pre-war story Christmas At Caxley 1913 and the intriguing The Fairacre Ghost, Miss Read's wry wit and light touch is the perfect antidote to the long winter evenings.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Holiday

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Read Christmas books are always a highlight of the season! I love having this collection of mostly Fairacre holiday stories all in one volume. The illustrations are so cozy and festive. The first story in this collection was definitely my favorite. It's such a joy to read and I can't wait to read it again next year!

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, sweet, delightful, relaxing, feel -good read! There are three books in one here, plus other excerpts from Dora Saint’s Miss Read books. I have read them all before & will read them all again. They never disappoint & always hit the spot. A lovely one to end my Goodreads challenge on for 2020.

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgic season

A meander through a teacher's eyes. Miss Read recalls former Christmases through the eyes of her pupils, as well as the villagers. It is funny, tragic and very entertaining.

[H. Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a comfort blanket.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second compendium of wonderfully cosy Christmas stories from Miss Read. The White Robin is by far the longest and best of the stories, and the Fairacre Ghost is a short but creepy tale of a doomed ghost. Warm, well written and the perfect book for Christmas.

[Donna Boultwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some lovely Christmas short stories from Fairacre. Loved the Robin story and hilarious Christmas card making story!!

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was put together for a magazine giveaway, so it is short, the print is tiny and cramped. Several very short stories are provided with a wintry or old-fashioned Christmas theme. The nice start shows newcomers to the village, a family with another baby on the way. No matter what the young woman does, the old biddies next door disapprove. She dresses too modern, she has too many kids, she makes friendly in the shop, etc. On Christmas morning the husband has to go to his relative who's had a stroke, and that's the day the baby picks to start its arrival. No hospital seems to exist so a nurse is called, and the biddies who never married have to go in and help. Common sense gets everyone through the day.
The other stories seem quite repetitive to me, nice if you want to know what foods and drinks were consumed, how to save string, what snow looks like. The longest story focuses on school kids and an albino robin. Some sadness is involved but bird genetics are explained. On hearing that a lady in the mental hospital has died, can you believe, the characters say it was for the best, and get on with their cup of tea.

[laura]

I

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another re read for me and it will be staying on my book shelf for another year I am pleased to say thoroughly enjoyable light hear read.

[Teresa James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful as always

[Frieda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful stories about the holidays
in a small English Village.

[M.K. Aston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another re-read of a Miss Read Christmas collection. What can I say? I just can't get enough of the glorious world she narrates so charmingly.

[Vonnie Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply lovely.

[Sue Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Collection

A lovely collection of short stories by Miss Read including The White Robin, a very poignant and thoughtful story. Village life at its best.

[Karen Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Read, always a pleasure to read lovely characters

[Charburger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful book - just what was needed.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely mix of festive stories from Miss Read. If you are after a book where lots happen - this is not the book for you. If however you love nostalgia, a small village where everyone knows everyone then this is for you!

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love books from this village. This book is a short story book. From ghosts to making cards and giving birth, it all goes on there.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely cozy seasonal read. Happy memories of childhood.

[Saffron Garey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected sweet notes of country life but there was much more to each story than that. A Miss Read might just become a Christmas tradition.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curious mix. Some lovely Christmas stories, like Village Christmas, but some puzzling inclusions, too. Why did they include a ghost story?

[Angie Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the books by Miss Read, set in the fictional village of Thrushgreen, her books are perfect for anytime of the year, when you want to unwind, and relax. The only downfall is each time I pick one of her books up, I want to pack up sticks and move to the country side.. This book is beautiful, ideal for winding down, or grabbing five minutes of peace, from the hustle and bustle of buying, & wrapping Christmas presents etc. full of adorable sketches..