No Holly for Miss Quinn

I loved this book, just as much as I did the first time I read it years ago. I am glad to get back into the Miss Read books. In this one, Miss Quinn, a very proper (and somewhat selfish) spinster finds the joys of a full household when she is called upon to help her brother with his children while his wife is hospitalized. The Christmas theme is not overdone, as the story focus is the transformation of Miss Quinn, rather than the holiday, which forms the backdrop to the story.

One wonders just what was happening in Miss Read's own life as she wrote this, and the immediately preceding [b:Farther Afield|669038|Farther Afield (Miss Read (Paperback))|Miss Read|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|1668825]. Here's another story of a confirmed spinster (and also a complete loner) having to confront the realities of other sorts of lives. Miss Quinn is obliged to take over the running of her brother's household while his wife is in hospital, and she ruminates at length on the differences between her life and her sister-in-law's.

An audible story read by Gwen Watford, No Holly For Miss Quinn by Miss Read, tells of Miriam Quinn, a career woman who is so happy to become the tenant of the annex at Holly House in rural Fairfield. Her home now becomes her escape from her busy job, a cozy haven in the country. She is looking forward to the peace and quiet of Christmas and has made plans to spend it in delicious solitude. Unfortunately, although Miriam has thrived in the career world, her personal life has left her feeling safest when avoiding social contact and keeping her own company.

Her brother, a country vicar, calls her in some distress. His wife has been admitted to the hospital and he needs help with the running of the vicarage and with his three children. Of show more course, Miriam, having a strong sense of duty drops everything and rushes to their aid. In doing so, she finds another type of joy at Christmas, one of sharing, being involved in the community and, most of all the warmth of family.

I loved listening to this story, especially the small details like the descriptions of the countryside around the little village, and the simple way of life that seems to have disappeared in today’s modern world. show less

Miss Miriam Quinn moves into a quiet English village, expecting to enjoy the countryside and have a little privacy. Instead, she has hardly settled in when she gets a phone call from her brother. His wife is in the hospital and Christmas is days away. Could she please come and take care of the children while their mother is in the hospital?

Miriam quickly learns that taking care of three active young children is harder than it looks. Her quiet Christmas spent redecorating her cottage is not going to happen. Instead she is stuffing a turkey, cleaning up the toddler's accidents, and visiting the hospital. Maybe this mothering thing is tough after all.

This is an old-fashioned book with an old-fashioned setting, but I really liked it. What show more struck me as the most old-fashioned thing about it wasn't the plot. The question of working woman versus homemaker is still a hot one. No, the most dated thing was the fact that Eileen was in the hospital for an entire week with abdominal pains! It turned out to be gall bladder trouble, but all they kept her for was to run tests and let her rest. I was in the hospital when they removed my appendix and I only spent 2 nights there!

Sweet book with sweet characters. show less

3½ stars. Although part of the Fairacre series, this is really a stand-alone novel.

Gentle Christmas holiday story set in the 1970's (I think 1975?). A nice, light quick read.