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Miss Read's Christmas Tales: Village Christmas and Christmas Mouse
Miss Read's many fans will be delighted to renew acquaintance with two of her most popular Christmas novels, available here in one edition. In Village Christmas, a family new to Fairacre is viewed with suspicion by their elderly neighbors, the Waters sisters, until an unexpected turn of events works magic over both houses on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, Mrs. Berry, in the nearby village of Caxley, faces an equally eventful Christmas Eve in The Christmas Mouse when she is awakened by two unexpected a mouse and a bedraggled runaway boy, both taking refuge from a winter storm. Both stories are resolved in Miss Read's comforting style, as warm as the glowing coals of the cottage fire and the spirit of Christmas itself. Miss Read's Christmas Tales are a treat for those who already know Miss Read and a charming introduction to her books for those who do not. As in other books by Miss Read, this volume is complemented by John S. Goodall's delightful line drawings.
174 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 1995
3 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Miss Read
157 books514 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 58 reviews
July 17, 2013
Fans of Jan Karon's Mitford series may recognize the work of Miss Read (the pen name of retired English schoolteacher Dora Saint). Miss Read's gentle stories of life in rural England filled 30 books over a period of 40 years. The 174 page CHRISTMAS TALES contains two novellas, Village Christmas and The Christmas Mouse.
Village Christmas tells the story of the elderly Waters sisters and their initial difficulty accepting the Emery family as new neighbors in the little village of Fairacre. The two households are brought together in an unexpected way, though, on Christmas Day, changing forever the lives of both the Waters sisters and the Emerys.
Mrs. Berry of Caxley village faces her own holiday dilemma in The Christmas Mouse when she awakes on Christmas Eve to find two intruders in her home. The first is a mouse. The second is a runaway boy. Both have come seeking refuge from a winter storm, and both are dealt with by Mrs. Berry in the true spirit of the holiday season.
For heart warming stories of Christmas good will, I highly recommend Miss Read's CHRISTMAS TALES.
Village Christmas tells the story of the elderly Waters sisters and their initial difficulty accepting the Emery family as new neighbors in the little village of Fairacre. The two households are brought together in an unexpected way, though, on Christmas Day, changing forever the lives of both the Waters sisters and the Emerys.
Mrs. Berry of Caxley village faces her own holiday dilemma in The Christmas Mouse when she awakes on Christmas Eve to find two intruders in her home. The first is a mouse. The second is a runaway boy. Both have come seeking refuge from a winter storm, and both are dealt with by Mrs. Berry in the true spirit of the holiday season.
For heart warming stories of Christmas good will, I highly recommend Miss Read's CHRISTMAS TALES.
November 28, 2022
Absolutely delightful! A charming book ... with a couple of out-of-date ideas, but the first story I was nearly in tears at the end!
December 4, 2021
This whole book is a cinnamon roll- too good for this world, too pure. A lovely escape in the midst of a crazy season for us, and a new holiday favorite for sure!!!
January 13, 2023
I love miss reads Xmas stories. I make it a point to read them every December. I want to read them more often as they are wonderful.
December 23, 2023
4.5🌟 I loved reading both of these Miss Read stories again this year! My all-time favorite is Village Christmas 😍 I adore reading about the adorable little Emery girls and the two spinster Waters sisters in Fairacre—so many lovely domestic Christmas-y details!
I really enjoy Christmas Mouse, too, but I feel that Mrs. Berry's thoughts are a little bit too focused on sin and spankings for punishment for me to give the book a full 5🌟.
Otherwise, all of Miss Read's Christmas books are wonderful and I absolutely plan on re-reading them every single year. I love their coziness and I highly recommend them to anyone 🥰🎄🎁
I really enjoy Christmas Mouse, too, but I feel that Mrs. Berry's thoughts are a little bit too focused on sin and spankings for punishment for me to give the book a full 5🌟.
Otherwise, all of Miss Read's Christmas books are wonderful and I absolutely plan on re-reading them every single year. I love their coziness and I highly recommend them to anyone 🥰🎄🎁
January 9, 2024
A sweet, old-fashioned book to read at the end of Christmas! I encourage you all to read it next year if you are looking for Christmas stories!
December 7, 2025
Sweet, simple stories, a little bit cloying but kind of fun at Christmas 🥲
August 29, 2019
This was my first Miss Read book. Truly enjoyed it. A nice diversion from my usual genre. Two very sweet stories. Just a "feel good" book and I look forward to reading many of her others.
December 29, 2022
These two short stories remind of Christmas of old. There’s a lot that just doesn’t happen anymore; a lot that has been lost to time. But these stories remind of the magic of Christmas and that while the world isn’t perfect, there’s much to be thankful for. Unexpected surprises was a theme throughout both stories.
The first is a simple parable. It could very well be allegorical to a certain passage in the Bible. On another level, it’s a social commentary on how the old ways never open their arms to new ideas until it’s too late.
The second has much more to sink one’s teeth into. It’s a sad story. Well, there are sad undertones against the happiness of Christmastime. It’s well written and worth reading this time of year. This one also has social commentary that in today’s world, probably would not be well received. Harsh or even Triggering may be used to explain how unfair or unkind Mrs. Berry is being. But there’s a Christianity about the whole thing. Golden Rules and Ten Commandments being the road to well living.
I appreciated the mouse, both as the title, and the part it plays in the story. For a quick little read about a family, there’s much to like and much to think about.
Happy Christmas indeed! Because there’s more to come despite the hardships that have already happened.
The first is a simple parable. It could very well be allegorical to a certain passage in the Bible. On another level, it’s a social commentary on how the old ways never open their arms to new ideas until it’s too late.
The second has much more to sink one’s teeth into. It’s a sad story. Well, there are sad undertones against the happiness of Christmastime. It’s well written and worth reading this time of year. This one also has social commentary that in today’s world, probably would not be well received. Harsh or even Triggering may be used to explain how unfair or unkind Mrs. Berry is being. But there’s a Christianity about the whole thing. Golden Rules and Ten Commandments being the road to well living.
I appreciated the mouse, both as the title, and the part it plays in the story. For a quick little read about a family, there’s much to like and much to think about.
Happy Christmas indeed! Because there’s more to come despite the hardships that have already happened.
December 11, 2024
Charming and quaint. A real 'vintage' portrayal of simple Christmases decades okay. I've known about the Miss Read books for years but was never tempted to try the series out until I found this bind up at my public library and I'll definitely be reading more from Miss Read as the mood strikes.
Village Christmas was my favourite of the two novellas. A lovely look at village life from the perspective of two spinster sisters who have a lot to say (and think) about their new rather lively neighbours. A sweet reprimand at casting judgement that switches to a celebration of community spirit by the end.
Christmas Mouse brings us into the home of widowed Mrs. Berry and her daughter (also widowed) and two young granddaughters at Christmas time. Vintage charm through the simple celebrations brought a cozy feel BUT there's a bit of old-fashioned approach to child rearing that I didn't appreciate...and found a little alarming, actually. But different times and attitudes, I guess. Still a good little story if you're looking for a bit of nostalgia in your holiday reading.
Village Christmas was my favourite of the two novellas. A lovely look at village life from the perspective of two spinster sisters who have a lot to say (and think) about their new rather lively neighbours. A sweet reprimand at casting judgement that switches to a celebration of community spirit by the end.
Christmas Mouse brings us into the home of widowed Mrs. Berry and her daughter (also widowed) and two young granddaughters at Christmas time. Vintage charm through the simple celebrations brought a cozy feel BUT there's a bit of old-fashioned approach to child rearing that I didn't appreciate...and found a little alarming, actually. But different times and attitudes, I guess. Still a good little story if you're looking for a bit of nostalgia in your holiday reading.
December 18, 2024
I give 5 stars to this book because I loved The Christmas Mouse. The other story, Village Christmas, was fine but I didn’t enjoy it enough to give it 5 stars.
The morality expressed in The Christmas Mouse was so refreshing! I’m gonna have to read more of this author’s stories :)
My favorite quotes:
“Every individual, she firmly believed, had the freedom of choice between good and evil. If one were so wicked, or thoughtless, or plain stupid enough to choose to do evil, then one must be prepared to take the consequences. Children, naturally, had to be trained and helped to resist temptation and to choose the right path, but to consider them as always in the right, as so many people nowadays seemed to do, was to do them a disservice, thought old Mrs. Berry.”
“No selfish person is ever happy. Remember that.”
“Without submission to a divine will, who could be happy? We were too frail to stand and fight alone, but that’s what Mary was doing, and why she secretly was so unhappy.”
The morality expressed in The Christmas Mouse was so refreshing! I’m gonna have to read more of this author’s stories :)
My favorite quotes:
“Every individual, she firmly believed, had the freedom of choice between good and evil. If one were so wicked, or thoughtless, or plain stupid enough to choose to do evil, then one must be prepared to take the consequences. Children, naturally, had to be trained and helped to resist temptation and to choose the right path, but to consider them as always in the right, as so many people nowadays seemed to do, was to do them a disservice, thought old Mrs. Berry.”
“No selfish person is ever happy. Remember that.”
“Without submission to a divine will, who could be happy? We were too frail to stand and fight alone, but that’s what Mary was doing, and why she secretly was so unhappy.”
December 30, 2023
This book was a delight, I smiled the whole way through it! “Be friendly to all, but familiar with few,” said an old Victorian sampler hanging on their cottage wall. The sisters found its advice, timely. The children, they agreed, were adorable, and, although they appeared far too often for “a shilling for the electricity meter” or “a box of matches because the shops shut” And other like errands, the two sisters had not the heart to be annoyed with them.”
June 29, 2024
It was amazing to me, and I look forward to reading the series now and the author (Miss Read, Dora Jessie Saint) has lots of books. This is in an English setting and reminds me of the more recent books by Jan Karon, The Mitford Series set in North Carolina. This book was very descriptive of the villages and the countryside. The people too! It brought me there and that is what I like when reading a book.
December 30, 2020
This book is so beautiful. I always have my granddaughter for the holidays at least a few days, not long enough for a whole book or even a Christmas Carol. But the three tales in this book were just right. She is thirteen this year, and I was thinking she would not want the Christmas story, but she did, and was delighted with the first one so we continued. This book is a keeper, and I'll be reading it each year, and maybe to my Great Grandkids.
January 1, 2021
I have become addicted to these sweet little books and this Christmas book with 3 books within the book were my favorite. The way they describe being happy as “gay” and having a school house and lunch bucket, I just love everything about it! I have over time collected almost every Miss Read book snd my plan is to read them all in 2021!
December 27, 2018
Cute, gentle stories set during Christmas time.
January 2, 2019
I loved the book and it brought back my English Mom. So simple so sweet
April 30, 2019
Read and enjoy!
December 25, 2019
I read this on Christmas Eve. It's a simple, short book that was perfect to read today.
Read
January 3, 2020didn't finish
July 11, 2020
Sweet, sentimental stories about Christmas in an English village.
December 5, 2020
These two stories plus No Holly for Miss Quinn are contained (and reviewed) in:
Christmas at Fairacre, Read, 1992
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Christmas at Fairacre, Read, 1992
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
December 6, 2020
Short stories not usually my style but fun to read for Christmas. 2 short stories in the book of a very quaint time in England.
December 8, 2020
Old fashion English Christmas cozy.
December 16, 2020
Two short Christmas novels- set in a small village in England at Christmas, perfect light reading for the season.
December 26, 2021
Liked Village Christmas best. Short story but sweet.
February 22, 2022
Once again Miss Read entertains us with stories set in a mythical English village. Yes, sometimes things go wrong but residents visitors alike come through unscathed. A relaxing read.
April 11, 2023
Wonderful series
December 1, 2023
Just sweet stories about a simpler time. I love this series. Feel good reading is so good for the soul.
December 6, 2023
Delightful , cozy, warm....such a delicate charm to it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews