Miss Read (1913–2012)

I've read a few books by Miss Read, and this is the first one that disappointed me. Maybe because it was so simple? I like the host of characters that usually populate her books; there weren't that many here. Although there was at least one fabulous character name — Horace Umbleditch. The reliably lovely scenes of village life and nature were there. I was surprised by the two deaths. I think the message is that there are fragile things in life, and they are vulnerable to cruelty and things beyond their control.
A couple of passages I liked:
Horace Umbleditch proved to be an elegant man with dark hair and a gold-rimmed monocle swinging on a black silk cord about his neck. From Amy's description I had expected a somewhat pathetic figure, undernourished and shy, but the new organist, although enviably slim, was obviously fit and distinctly voluble. I could see that he would more than hold his own in the assembled company.
...
One of the comforts of middle age, i find, is the comparative peace of mind which engulfs one when one has finally decided what to put on. When young, one's evening can be ruined by the thought that one's shoes are the wrong colour, or one's hair needs shampooing. Advancing age has its modest compensations.… (more)

The Fairacre Festival by Miss Read is the 7th book in her Fairacre series which is set in a small English village. It is narrated by the village school teacher and the stories are often centred around the school but in this outing we are mostly reading about the church.

When a storm brings a large tree down upon the roof of the church, the villagers of Fairacre need to come together to raise the necessary funds for repairs. They decide to hold a festival, a week long series of events with the help of a few kind-hearted celebrities and many volunteers. There will be a garden show, afternoon teas, a concert by the schoolchildren and the highlight of the festival, a nightly light and sound show, set in the ancient church that details the history of Fairacre. The funds mount but will it be enough to pay for the repairs needed or must they sell off the church treasure, a silver chalice that is brought out for special services.

A simple story that encapsulates village life and expectations. Miss Read obviously knows of what she writes as the village politics and the local characters feel real as they liven up the story and keep it from becoming too sentimental.… (more)

Village Christmas is the sixth book in Miss Read’s Fairacre series about a timeless rural village in the English countryside. This particular entry takes place during the Christmas season and concerns that happiest of events, the birth of a child.

We are introduced to the spinster sisters, Margaret and Mary Waters as they spend their quiet evening addressing Christmas cards and discussing village affairs. They, and indeed many other villagers, are slightly disapproving of their new neighbours who live across the lane from them. The young couple and their children seem overly friendly and too ready to push themselves forward. Then on Christmas Day the pregnant Mrs. Emery goes into labour and is alone with her children as her husband was called to assist his parents, the elderly sisters do not hesitate to help out. The birth of a little boy brings all of Fairacre together in rejoicing his healthy arrival and making everyone realize that they have been overly critical of this young family who are simply trying to fit in.

As always the story is charming, the writing gentle and soothing, and the descriptions of a rural Christmas evokes childhood memories. My only complaint was how short this story was. Village Christmas is a lovely, warmhearted story with a timeless message.… (more)