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Fairacre #4
Miss Clare Remembers
With humour and charm 'Miss Read' brings to life the countryside of the past. Born into a home where food and clothing were hard-earned, where oil and candles were luxuries, Miss Clare--retired village schoolmistress and devoted countrywoman--looks back on a richly rewarding life.
275 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1962
7 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
About the author
Miss Read
158 books515 followersDora 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 11, 2019
A deceptively gentle book about an English town where nothing much happens... except for births, deaths, marriages, babies, the industrial revolution, the Titanic sinking, and a couple of World Wars. Miss Claire personifies "Keep Calm and Carry On" in the way she faces adversity and disappointment. In happy times, she's a model of good citizenship, hard work, and enjoying the simple pleasures this life and nature have to offer.
This is my first Miss Read book. It may be too tame for some, but in trying times when reality is wearing one down, I found Miss Claire Remembers to be a simple pleasure that reinforces the adage, "this, too, shall pass."
This is my first Miss Read book. It may be too tame for some, but in trying times when reality is wearing one down, I found Miss Claire Remembers to be a simple pleasure that reinforces the adage, "this, too, shall pass."
May 29, 2020
Another lovely book about English village life. This time covering the wide scope of Dolly Clare's life.
November 18, 2022
Dolly Clare is one of the literary saints, like Trollope’s Septimus Harding. I loved reading her story. I truly aspire to be like her. She is like Saint Sarah Smith in The Great Divorce, of no earthly account but one of the Greats in heaven.
December 31, 2025
Miss Clare Remembers is a quietly wonderful slice-of-life portrait. Through Miss Clare’s memories, we move from her childhood in late-nineteenth-century rural England through the changes wrought by industry, world wars, and the natural evolution of a life well lived.
March 3, 2020
A lovely book about Miss Clare's life. However this is not as much of a comfort read as the rest of the Fairacre series since it covers two World Wars and some tragic events.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
June 13, 2019
What a lovely and profound little book! Set in and around three fictitious but realistic English villages in the post-war years - presumably in the 1950s, although the book was published in 1962 - Miss Clare reviews the events of her life in an extended flashback.
Dolly Clare was born in 1888, and although train travel was well established throughout Britain at the time, most inhabitants of the area traveled only by foot or wagon. She, along with her best friend, Emily Davis, were fortunate to have a schoolmaster who saw their potential as teachers.
Miss Clare saw the birth of many of the technologies we take for granted, or have even become almost obsolete by now, such as the automobile, radio and aviation. She remembers the three wars during her lifetime: the Boer War and the two World Wars; her fiancé was killed in the Great War. Emily’s fiancé wasn’t killed, but his lungs were badly damaged by poison gas and had to be hospitalized several months, during which time he fell in love with one of his nurses. Like many of their generation, neither woman ever married, but devoted themselves to their pupils and participated fully in village life.
We have a tendency to romanticize picturesque village life, but Miss Clare recalls plenty of tragedy and loss. Her beloved little brother dies from a respiratory infection. Poverty and disease are present. One of the local landowners, with his wife and their disabled daughter, are passengers on the Titanic. War is responsible for the deaths of more than 40 men from their area; Miss Clare talks about the war monument in Caxley. (I noticed every town and village we visited in England has a war monument, and many churches and cathedrals have memorials and/or stained glass windows dedicated to casualties of the wars. Westminster Abbey has a RAF Chapel with a beautiful stained glass window dedicated to the airmen who died in the Battle of Britain.)
Miss Clare sustained other losses, of course: her grandparents, then her father and finally her mother. Another reviewer here aptly remarked that Miss Clare epitomized the motto “Keep Calm and Carry On.”
I’ve already lived long enough to have witnessed amazing technological advances; this book makes me wonder what more I will have seen by the time I’m in my eighth decade as Miss Clare was. She talks about how the world seemed much smaller than in her youth - that most of her parents’ contemporaries never visited London, which was only 70 miles away. We Americans think nothing of driving 700 miles, and in less than a 24-hour period, we can fly to any spot on Earth. Will my grandchildren likewise think nothing of traveling to the moon or Mars?
Lovely book and lovely series! All the stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dolly Clare was born in 1888, and although train travel was well established throughout Britain at the time, most inhabitants of the area traveled only by foot or wagon. She, along with her best friend, Emily Davis, were fortunate to have a schoolmaster who saw their potential as teachers.
Miss Clare saw the birth of many of the technologies we take for granted, or have even become almost obsolete by now, such as the automobile, radio and aviation. She remembers the three wars during her lifetime: the Boer War and the two World Wars; her fiancé was killed in the Great War. Emily’s fiancé wasn’t killed, but his lungs were badly damaged by poison gas and had to be hospitalized several months, during which time he fell in love with one of his nurses. Like many of their generation, neither woman ever married, but devoted themselves to their pupils and participated fully in village life.
We have a tendency to romanticize picturesque village life, but Miss Clare recalls plenty of tragedy and loss. Her beloved little brother dies from a respiratory infection. Poverty and disease are present. One of the local landowners, with his wife and their disabled daughter, are passengers on the Titanic. War is responsible for the deaths of more than 40 men from their area; Miss Clare talks about the war monument in Caxley. (I noticed every town and village we visited in England has a war monument, and many churches and cathedrals have memorials and/or stained glass windows dedicated to casualties of the wars. Westminster Abbey has a RAF Chapel with a beautiful stained glass window dedicated to the airmen who died in the Battle of Britain.)
Miss Clare sustained other losses, of course: her grandparents, then her father and finally her mother. Another reviewer here aptly remarked that Miss Clare epitomized the motto “Keep Calm and Carry On.”
I’ve already lived long enough to have witnessed amazing technological advances; this book makes me wonder what more I will have seen by the time I’m in my eighth decade as Miss Clare was. She talks about how the world seemed much smaller than in her youth - that most of her parents’ contemporaries never visited London, which was only 70 miles away. We Americans think nothing of driving 700 miles, and in less than a 24-hour period, we can fly to any spot on Earth. Will my grandchildren likewise think nothing of traveling to the moon or Mars?
Lovely book and lovely series! All the stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 15, 2020
This was the most heartbreakingly beautiful book of the Miss Read series so far. Told entirely from Miss Clares perspective, we get to go back all the way to Miss Clares parents, their wedding, the birth of her older sister Ada. We also see her deep friendship with her neighbor and lifelong companion, Emily Davis and how the two friends came to be teachers. Their were lots of moments that made me smile, but also a lot of sad things. I just can’t recommend this series enough.
January 28, 2020
The story of what has been called "the short century" from a little village in England and the point of view of a "little"school teacher, who saw donley cart and the nuclear bomb of Hiroshima. This is how History should be narrated, because this is what History MEANS. Kein Spengler und Jünger fur mich, danke sehr
November 16, 2022
I really wasn't sure if I would love this at first but as soon as part two started I fell completely in love with it. Such a moving portrait of a long life filled with heartbreak while also being fulfilling.
August 22, 2021
A fast, gentle read about life in turn-of-the-century (twentieth) England.
Dolly Clare is now seventy and looking forward to the arrival of her lifetime friend, Emily Davis, who will share her cottage. This novel reminisces about Dolly's memories from early childhood, her first years at school when she initially meets Emily, and then her engagement that ends tragically with World War I. Both Dolly and Emily choose to become teachers and both are planning weddings that end differently from their expectations. There are small tips for life's lessons sprinkled throughout Dolly's story:
"She learnt, at this time, the invaluable lesson of finding happiness in little things, and by picking up small crumbs of comfort as she went about her daily work nursed her damaged spirit back to health."
The book progresses with Dolly's life as a teacher into retirement and the changes that a world war and subsequent Acts of Parliament brought to England's social structure: "This Education Act meant that almost all the older children in the villages around Caxley would leave the small schools after eleven years of age and be taught together in one of three types of secondary school, grammar, technical, or modern..."
As Dolly awaits the arrival of Emily, her character and contentment with her life's experiences cannot but affect the reader's outlook upon life's challenges. A perfect lazy summer's day read.
Dolly Clare is now seventy and looking forward to the arrival of her lifetime friend, Emily Davis, who will share her cottage. This novel reminisces about Dolly's memories from early childhood, her first years at school when she initially meets Emily, and then her engagement that ends tragically with World War I. Both Dolly and Emily choose to become teachers and both are planning weddings that end differently from their expectations. There are small tips for life's lessons sprinkled throughout Dolly's story:
"She learnt, at this time, the invaluable lesson of finding happiness in little things, and by picking up small crumbs of comfort as she went about her daily work nursed her damaged spirit back to health."
The book progresses with Dolly's life as a teacher into retirement and the changes that a world war and subsequent Acts of Parliament brought to England's social structure: "This Education Act meant that almost all the older children in the villages around Caxley would leave the small schools after eleven years of age and be taught together in one of three types of secondary school, grammar, technical, or modern..."
As Dolly awaits the arrival of Emily, her character and contentment with her life's experiences cannot but affect the reader's outlook upon life's challenges. A perfect lazy summer's day read.
January 1, 2018
I feel each of Miss Read's books is better than the previous one. For now, this one seems to be the best. (Wait till I read the others in the series and my opinion changes :-) ) Even though I've always been fond of Miss Clare right from the first book, she has undobtedly tunred into my favorite character after getting to know her better in this one.
In 'Miss Clare Remembers', she takes a nostalgic trip down the memory lane over her many years as a school teacher; her childhood friendship with Emily Davis that matured and strengthened over the years; the two World wars with the interwar period and the turmoil they caused in the lives of all around; the Industrial revolution; Her personal losses over the years, how she shows immense fortitude in the face of each adversity that hits her life and her love for nature and children that helps her cope with it all. She seems to be a perfect example of a life, lived well.
Nothing less than 5 stars for this delightful read.
In 'Miss Clare Remembers', she takes a nostalgic trip down the memory lane over her many years as a school teacher; her childhood friendship with Emily Davis that matured and strengthened over the years; the two World wars with the interwar period and the turmoil they caused in the lives of all around; the Industrial revolution; Her personal losses over the years, how she shows immense fortitude in the face of each adversity that hits her life and her love for nature and children that helps her cope with it all. She seems to be a perfect example of a life, lived well.
Nothing less than 5 stars for this delightful read.
November 30, 2020
Synopsis:
Miss Clare Remembers was written by Miss Read and published in 1962. It is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Fairacre series. This book follows the retired school teacher Miss Clare as she reflects back on her life in the English Countryside from Victorian times to the 1950’s.
Storyline:
I really enjoyed this story of Miss Clare’s life after meeting her in the other Fairacre books when she was an aging schoolteacher. I felt like this wasn’t just the story of a life, but that this also showed us the history of that particular span of years just through the lens of a woman living in the countryside. In this book you see Queen Victoria die, two world wars, the titanic sink, technology advancing, cars making an appearance etc. I feel like I got an intimate glance at what all these events meant to someone living a bit out of the way. Perhaps some things didn’t affect Miss Clare quite so personally, but her life is touched by tragedy with others events.
Setting:
Miss Clare Remembers is set in three English villages. Of course Fairacre, but also Beech Green and Caxley. I really enjoyed the setting of the English Countryside. The places and times were very much brought to life. This was one of those books that felt like time travel.
Characters:
I grew to really love and care for Dolly Clare in this book. It was so great to get to know her not just as a kind old spinster, but as a child, a young woman in love and overall a woman who loves her job and the children she teaches dearly. She was an admirable woman to me because of how she could see the simple beauty in things no matter the tragedy. She was calm, resilient and kind. I suppose as a more tempestuous personality myself , I always admire these types of women! I could never quite be like them, but yet reading about them always offers me a different perspective on how to deal with life that I find soothing and helpful.
Did I Enjoy it?:
Yes! This was one of my favorites so far in the series. It was a departure from the other three since it was a looking back novel, but I liked that about it. This series isn’t outstanding in any way, but all of these books are just such pleasant reads that I’m enjoying them so far. I like in particular how it’s main characters seem to be schoolteachers in the age of small country schoolhouses. For whatever reason that appeals to me. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series next year!
Do I Recommend It?:
I recommend this series to people who like pleasant and quiet stories of English village life in the first half of the 20th century.
Miss Clare Remembers was written by Miss Read and published in 1962. It is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Fairacre series. This book follows the retired school teacher Miss Clare as she reflects back on her life in the English Countryside from Victorian times to the 1950’s.
Storyline:
I really enjoyed this story of Miss Clare’s life after meeting her in the other Fairacre books when she was an aging schoolteacher. I felt like this wasn’t just the story of a life, but that this also showed us the history of that particular span of years just through the lens of a woman living in the countryside. In this book you see Queen Victoria die, two world wars, the titanic sink, technology advancing, cars making an appearance etc. I feel like I got an intimate glance at what all these events meant to someone living a bit out of the way. Perhaps some things didn’t affect Miss Clare quite so personally, but her life is touched by tragedy with others events.
Setting:
Miss Clare Remembers is set in three English villages. Of course Fairacre, but also Beech Green and Caxley. I really enjoyed the setting of the English Countryside. The places and times were very much brought to life. This was one of those books that felt like time travel.
Characters:
I grew to really love and care for Dolly Clare in this book. It was so great to get to know her not just as a kind old spinster, but as a child, a young woman in love and overall a woman who loves her job and the children she teaches dearly. She was an admirable woman to me because of how she could see the simple beauty in things no matter the tragedy. She was calm, resilient and kind. I suppose as a more tempestuous personality myself , I always admire these types of women! I could never quite be like them, but yet reading about them always offers me a different perspective on how to deal with life that I find soothing and helpful.
Did I Enjoy it?:
Yes! This was one of my favorites so far in the series. It was a departure from the other three since it was a looking back novel, but I liked that about it. This series isn’t outstanding in any way, but all of these books are just such pleasant reads that I’m enjoying them so far. I like in particular how it’s main characters seem to be schoolteachers in the age of small country schoolhouses. For whatever reason that appeals to me. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series next year!
Do I Recommend It?:
I recommend this series to people who like pleasant and quiet stories of English village life in the first half of the 20th century.
January 17, 2011
When I began this book, I thought perhaps I didn't want to go back through Miss Clare's life. I actually thought I might give myself permission to give it back to the library. I am glad I didn't. It was a wonderful story. It was interesting to see the education system in England at the same time I was going through the U.S. education system. I grew up in a city with several grammar schools, two junior high schools and two high schools. My husband grew up in a town comparable to Caxley. He also had the same school system as I. It seemed to me the education system was somewhat behind the U.S. school system in its development. At the end of World War II Great Britain was just requiring mandatory education for children over fourteen. The story begins with the marriage of Miss Clare's parents and continues until we converge with Miss Read's appearance at Fairacre School.
June 7, 2012
Dolly Clare, longtime schoolteacher at Fairacre School, outlasted many headmasters. In this volume, the 70-year-old spinster looks back at the many changes in her beloved village of Beech Green. Miss Clare remembers her life with just a touch of sentimentality, which we lovers of Fairacre and Thrush Green are only to happy to grant her.
It's amazing to consider that Dolly Clare saw the advent of the telephone, the automobile, the airplane, regular bus service (which would end the isolation of English villages), and the welfare state; two world wars, and the end of agrarian England in her 70 years. In short, Dolly, born in the Victorian Era, would live into the Space Age. What an amazing life!
It's amazing to consider that Dolly Clare saw the advent of the telephone, the automobile, the airplane, regular bus service (which would end the isolation of English villages), and the welfare state; two world wars, and the end of agrarian England in her 70 years. In short, Dolly, born in the Victorian Era, would live into the Space Age. What an amazing life!
April 16, 2020
So much love for these books!
Miss Clare Remembers, Book #4 in the Fairacre series, is a retrospect. Instead of chronicling a current year in the life of the village, as the books before this one have done, MCR is a complete backstory of Miss Dolly Clare, retired school teacher, and one of my favorite characters. As the book opens, Miss Clare, now in her early 70s, awakens on the day she is expecting a visit from her life-long friend Emily Davis. As she prepares to receive her old friend, she spends the time remembering the events of her long life, and the ways Emily played a part.
At first I thought I would miss the full cast of loveable characters: bustling around town, getting into each other’s business, weathering the latest crisis, helping and caring for each other. But I very much enjoyed this little history. A consistent feature of the books is that while they are cozy reads, they do not stop short of depicting the harsher realities of life. Miss Clare’s background includes much of this, seeing as she lived through two world wars. She also must bear up under griefs much closer to home. I loved learning about her parents’ courting and marriage, her siblings, the places they lived and when and why, and how Miss Clare came to be the beloved schoolteacher in Fairacre. I also now have a better understanding of the “lay of the land” (where Fairacre is compared to Beech Green and Caxley, as these locales figure regularly in all the books).
Having read this installment will absolutely enhance the way I “know” Miss Clare when I read about her in the forthcoming books. The timeline toward the end covers books I’ve already read, and it almost makes we want to go back and re-read them, just to appreciate them in a different way.
{One example: Passing remarks made in previous books about an old school headmaster, Mr. Hope, have taken on new meaning. The later generation routinely cast aspersions when his name comes up. But what was only hinted at in those earlier books, is now more fully explained … through the eyes of someone who worked alongside him.}
This was an utterly ingenious way to give greater depth to a prominent character in a series, and to enlarge the faithful reader’s understanding of a place and its people.
Touching and gently charming, another wonderful book in the Fairacre series. These are fast becoming my favorite books on my shelf.
Miss Clare Remembers, Book #4 in the Fairacre series, is a retrospect. Instead of chronicling a current year in the life of the village, as the books before this one have done, MCR is a complete backstory of Miss Dolly Clare, retired school teacher, and one of my favorite characters. As the book opens, Miss Clare, now in her early 70s, awakens on the day she is expecting a visit from her life-long friend Emily Davis. As she prepares to receive her old friend, she spends the time remembering the events of her long life, and the ways Emily played a part.
At first I thought I would miss the full cast of loveable characters: bustling around town, getting into each other’s business, weathering the latest crisis, helping and caring for each other. But I very much enjoyed this little history. A consistent feature of the books is that while they are cozy reads, they do not stop short of depicting the harsher realities of life. Miss Clare’s background includes much of this, seeing as she lived through two world wars. She also must bear up under griefs much closer to home. I loved learning about her parents’ courting and marriage, her siblings, the places they lived and when and why, and how Miss Clare came to be the beloved schoolteacher in Fairacre. I also now have a better understanding of the “lay of the land” (where Fairacre is compared to Beech Green and Caxley, as these locales figure regularly in all the books).
Having read this installment will absolutely enhance the way I “know” Miss Clare when I read about her in the forthcoming books. The timeline toward the end covers books I’ve already read, and it almost makes we want to go back and re-read them, just to appreciate them in a different way.
{One example: Passing remarks made in previous books about an old school headmaster, Mr. Hope, have taken on new meaning. The later generation routinely cast aspersions when his name comes up. But what was only hinted at in those earlier books, is now more fully explained … through the eyes of someone who worked alongside him.}
This was an utterly ingenious way to give greater depth to a prominent character in a series, and to enlarge the faithful reader’s understanding of a place and its people.
Touching and gently charming, another wonderful book in the Fairacre series. These are fast becoming my favorite books on my shelf.
February 23, 2022
I’ve been listening to this on audio over the last week & have previously read it a couple of times too. It’s such a lovely read. The very best of all the Miss Read books I think (though it helps to know the character of Miss Clare before reading ). Chapter 16 remains one of the few chapters -in any book- which always has the power to move me me to tears. Awesome writing. So underestimated.
May 7, 2021
Miss Clare Remembers is a delightful addition to the Fairacre series. Up until now, Miss Clare has taken a bit of a backseat in the stories and it was wonderful to learn all about her history. I love that the story was literally one of Miss Clare remembering her past, growing up in Caxley and her family's move to Beech Green followed by her life as a student and teacher at Fairacre, sharing her happiness and sorrows throughout her life. The story also shares a concise history of village life in England from the late 1800s through the early 1950s. It was fascinating to see the changes in the world and how that affected life in a small village. For even a small village was not immune to the devastation of two world wars, where the repercussions reverberated for years to come.
September 11, 2024
By the time I finish this series I bet I’ll upgrade all my ratings to five stars. These characters become more beloved with every new story about them. And tucked into all the charming village stories are really profound ideas about marriage, raising kids, war, economics, history, what makes a good life, and friendship. And aging! I think about these things long after I finish the book.
September 22, 2016
I wasn't sure how interested I would be in a book that is basically a series of flashbacks to Miss Clare's earlier life, but it turned out to be a very interesting story. All of the Miss Read books are pleasant reads, but this one moved me to tears more than once.
January 4, 2019
Loved this! Might be my favorite by Miss Read. The main character was born in 1888 and this book takes you through British history through 3 wars and many changes in ways of life in a rural town. So touching, with a lovely ending, it left me with a smile on my face.
March 19, 2010
An unalloyed delight, this is Miss Clare's life story. It also touches on the Industrial Revolution, both world wars and not a little about love and loss. The first Fairacre book which made me weep.
May 25, 2022
"Miss Clare Remembers" is a masterpiece. Spanning the last twenty years of Queen Victoria's reign, the Edwardian period, World War I, the interwar years, World War II and the post-war years, Miss Read tells the tales of both Miss Clare and Britain itself, weaving the stories together beautifully and with effortless charm. I felt absorbed by the book and couldn't stop listening. There are many heartbreaking moments, yet the book is not sad or depressing. Quite the opposite! Miss Clare's resilience and strength to face everything with courage and faith are inspiring and moving, however overwhelming the tragedy.
As always with Miss Read, the writing is flawless and its beauty inspires and uplifts. Ms Watford's reading only highlights the book's quality and is like heavenly music to the ear.
As always with Miss Read, the writing is flawless and its beauty inspires and uplifts. Ms Watford's reading only highlights the book's quality and is like heavenly music to the ear.
August 28, 2023
I had bought this book from a thrift store. The very cover promised of a warm tale of old countryside which pushed me to buy it. I am so glad to have read such wonderful writing.
April 23, 2025
I always enjoy these quiet stories by Miss Read
August 10, 2017
The fourth book in the series is all about Miss Clare. She was born in 1888 and the book is the story of her life. It's really interesting to read about the way things were in rural England at that time.
One of the things I find most interesting is references in these books to real happenings. This book refers to riots of 1830 and they actually took place. Agricultural workers (paid little as it was) rioted against the use of agricultural machines (that would replace workers) and managed to destroy about 100 of them. This was a class revolt as well as a revolt aimed at poor working conditions with little pay. Only 1 person died and that because he was shot. Look up 'Swing Riots' on Wikipedia.
The book talks about Miss Clare's parents who were poor. Ada was her older sister. She talks about an area of the poor which was noted for inbreeding with resultant mental problems. There's some on the Boer War (1899) and how that went on. Queen Victoria dies and how the people react to that is covered.
Her romantic life is also covered along with what that led to. Further, there is also material on World War I and how the people reacted to that and even more deaths. The novel also covers how Miss Clare ended up being a teacher.
The book is an excellent guide to the lives of average rural people at that time.
One of the things I find most interesting is references in these books to real happenings. This book refers to riots of 1830 and they actually took place. Agricultural workers (paid little as it was) rioted against the use of agricultural machines (that would replace workers) and managed to destroy about 100 of them. This was a class revolt as well as a revolt aimed at poor working conditions with little pay. Only 1 person died and that because he was shot. Look up 'Swing Riots' on Wikipedia.
The book talks about Miss Clare's parents who were poor. Ada was her older sister. She talks about an area of the poor which was noted for inbreeding with resultant mental problems. There's some on the Boer War (1899) and how that went on. Queen Victoria dies and how the people react to that is covered.
Her romantic life is also covered along with what that led to. Further, there is also material on World War I and how the people reacted to that and even more deaths. The novel also covers how Miss Clare ended up being a teacher.
The book is an excellent guide to the lives of average rural people at that time.
March 11, 2017
Miss Clare is a kindred spirit. I hope to grow old with similar hope, kindness, and joy in the world (even when it's hard to find).
One thing I always find interesting about the Fairacre books is seeing how much has changed and how much hasn't in the intervening decades. Miss Clare's reflections on the new ubiquity of wireless radio stood out to me in this book: "Sometimes, Dolly thought wryly, they seemed to learn far more from the wireless than they did from her. Would lessons ever be broadcast to the schools, she wondered?"
One thing I always find interesting about the Fairacre books is seeing how much has changed and how much hasn't in the intervening decades. Miss Clare's reflections on the new ubiquity of wireless radio stood out to me in this book: "Sometimes, Dolly thought wryly, they seemed to learn far more from the wireless than they did from her. Would lessons ever be broadcast to the schools, she wondered?"
December 19, 2019
In my opinion this is one of the best books Dora Saint has written. I found it deeply moving from the start really. The lost doll, the death of a family member and two school friends who became long term friends. Throughout the book there is a feeling of empathy, sadness, sorrow and love. I read this book as part of the #missreadalong which is being hosted by Arpita @bagfullofbooks on Instagram and even though it was October’s book, I have just finished reading it. The way in which the author tells the story of the outbreak of both wars is extremely moving and very poignant.
March 1, 2021
This was my second 'Miss Read' book and I am enthralled by her writing style.
She writes about the general hardships of life and the world at large without mincing her words, but at the same time cloaking her descriptions with grace and a sense of peace.
This particular story covers the span of Miss Clare's lifetime which included both WWI and WWII and even though Miss Clare never leaves England and barely leaves her county, she is not ignorant or backward. It's hard not to covet the simplicity and charm of her village life.
I can't wait for my next escape in a 'Miss Read' book.
She writes about the general hardships of life and the world at large without mincing her words, but at the same time cloaking her descriptions with grace and a sense of peace.
This particular story covers the span of Miss Clare's lifetime which included both WWI and WWII and even though Miss Clare never leaves England and barely leaves her county, she is not ignorant or backward. It's hard not to covet the simplicity and charm of her village life.
I can't wait for my next escape in a 'Miss Read' book.
March 18, 2019
"She could teach them to face whatever came with calmness and courage, to love their families and their friends with unswerving loyalty, and to relish the lovely face of the countryside to which they lived. It might seem a humdrum, day-to-day set of values, but Dolly Clare knew from long experience that they could carry a man bravely through a lifetime's vicissitudes."
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