Library copy, rebound. #5 in the Fairacre series, stands alone, but characters better understood having read previous episodes.Over the Gate is a clever collection of stories, relative to the history of the people and dwellings and events of Fairacre, some of which were literally told Over the Gate. Mr. Willett is Miss Read's favorite storyteller. How much of what he told is truth, and how much he embellished (in this fictionalized story), is unknown to the reader. The fact of the matter is that the author weaves much of her own experiences into her fictional tales, so that the reader is frequently left wondering whether truth is in fact stranger than fiction. Nonetheless, it all makes for good reading.Consequently this Fairacre tale does not necessarily follow the calendar as others do. And I felt a stronger "dose" of the maiden school-marm's outlook on life than is found in the earlier episodes. Which likely is part of the story, a sort of mid-life wondering and coming to terms with what matters to her.All in all, a delightful read as usual. Mrs. Pringle plays a significant role in this Over the Gate, as she does in most tales of Fairacre.
Hi Barbara, I'm not sure; i've been borrowing them from my sister and she's been giving them to me in no order. Over the Gate was published in 1964; one of the books lists other books by "Miss Read," and the first one listed is "Village School," followed by "Village Diary." Looking at the rest of the titles, I would think that these two were the first. Just found this website: http://anglophilebooks.com/readbib.htmand i think it has all the information you want. In fact, i'm going to copy it to be sure that i will have read all of them.
What do You think about Over The Gate (2007)?
This book, the fifth in the Fairacre series is a story pulled together by the school year and a group of anecdotes that several of the characters tell to Miss Read as they reminisce and teach her more about the area she calls home.Miss Read, the village school mistress has been doing the same thing now for several years and while she still enjoys her job and the children, she wonders if it is time to move on and get out of her rut. The thought of another teacher taking her place is what makes her accept the fact that desperately miserable winters are not enough to chase her away.Miss Read creates an idyllic world where even a stranger at one's door is more of an adventure than a threat of home invasion. Her description of the bucolic surrounding sent me to google on several occasions to find out what feverfew, cowslip and thrushes look like. These pleasures in the smallest of plants and animals that inhabit a country lane, all of which have individuality is lovely. Sadly when I take a walk in a rural setting I can put a name to nothing but the most common of plants like yarrow, Queen Anne's lace and dandelions.
—Elizabeth
