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Fairacre #5
Over the Gate: A Novel
“Here you’ll find delicious wit, quirky characters, the colorful intrigues of daily life, and certainly love and laughter. . . . Delightful.” —Jan Karon Throughout her years as schoolmistress, Miss Read has gathered excellent accounts of the rich and varied history of her beloved English village, often through neighborly conversation over the gate. Fairacre has garnered its share of odd incidents, entertaining episodes, and village folklore, from an unusual recipe for weight loss found in an old notebook—and used with alarming consequences—to the tragic story of the village ghost. In Over the Gate, Miss Read retells many of these treasured stories of Fairacre past and present, with characteristic grace and wit. “Affectionate, humorous, and gently charming . . . sometimes funny, sometimes touching, always appealing.” —The New York Times “Miss Read has a humble, laughing heart.” —Mademoiselle
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1964
107 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Miss Read
157 books502 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 109 reviews
August 29, 2025
Some tales of past Fairacre goings-on related to Miss Read over tea or on walks. This was a fun one.
December 5, 2020
Over the Gate is the fifth of the Fairacre books by Miss Read or Dora Jesse Saint which are gentle yet real stories of English village life told through the eyes of Miss Read, the unmarried schoolteacher at Fairacre. In the books we learn not only of the people of Fairacre and their lives and happenings in the village but also a little of Miss Read’s life as well.
This one is a little different from the previous books in this set that I’ve read so far (I’ve read the first three but not the fourth) in that while in each of the (loosely connected) chapters we are watching daily life moving along in Fairacre (mostly in the school), someone also tells Miss Read a story from Fairacre’s past, about characters known and unknown. We hear of an interesting couple—Fred Hurst who thinks nothing of telling a tale and his strictly brought up wife; a lady who found a very unusual recipe for losing weight, and had some interesting adventures as a result; another who gets new next-door neighbour who turns out to be the queen of copy-cats; a woman whose search for love seems to bring her full circle; an interesting traveller who narrates his story to Miss Read; the time when Mr Annett met a ghost who connects with him because of their pasts; when Joseph Coggs meets the ‘king of the sea’; and also when one new resident in Fairacre gets the better of the formidable Mrs Pringle. Alongside, village life goes on as always with among others Miss Read organising a Christmas treat for her students, spring coming to the village and the harvest festival finding Miss Read and the children decorating the church (this somehow reminded me so much of Barbara Pym’s books), while Miss Read begins to wonder whether she wants to spend her life at Fairacre or should move on for better prospects—career wise, that is. The edition I have also had an additional story ‘The Fairacre Festival’, where the residents and their friends (including a celebrity or two) organise a festival to raise funds when a storm damages the beautiful village church—St Patrick’s.
I found this a delightful read as I always do with Miss Read—I don’t know how it is that she manages to keep all the realities of life, tragedies, deaths, hurts and losses and yet keep the atmosphere overall pleasant; perhaps it because alongside, we also have the big and little pieces of happiness that life brings, the changing seasons and the beauty of nature—that she captures life itself so well, or simply the way she describes it.
This book with the different stories incorporated into the various chapters reminded me a lot of the Story Girl books by LM Montgomery in which we follow the lives of a group of cousins who are together at one of the family’s farm for various reasons whilst also ‘listening’ to stories that one of them, Sara Stanley aka the Story Girl, tells them for entertainment. I found this book had a similar charm and I enjoyed it very much (more so perhaps because of the darker-themed books I’d been reading before it).
The stories that Miss Read is told are a wide range from the downright wacky to tragic, some with a touch of melancholy, and others that are just plain good fun; I found all of them to be very enjoyable indeed—like life in Fairacre, they capture a whole gamut of feelings and yet give one a great deal of comfort. Besides these, I loved how Miss Read finally decides to stay on in Fairacre, the final straw as it were, was very good fun.
As always, I also found the illustrations by JS Goodall to be lovely.
A charming, wonderful read.
This one is a little different from the previous books in this set that I’ve read so far (I’ve read the first three but not the fourth) in that while in each of the (loosely connected) chapters we are watching daily life moving along in Fairacre (mostly in the school), someone also tells Miss Read a story from Fairacre’s past, about characters known and unknown. We hear of an interesting couple—Fred Hurst who thinks nothing of telling a tale and his strictly brought up wife; a lady who found a very unusual recipe for losing weight, and had some interesting adventures as a result; another who gets new next-door neighbour who turns out to be the queen of copy-cats; a woman whose search for love seems to bring her full circle; an interesting traveller who narrates his story to Miss Read; the time when Mr Annett met a ghost who connects with him because of their pasts; when Joseph Coggs meets the ‘king of the sea’; and also when one new resident in Fairacre gets the better of the formidable Mrs Pringle. Alongside, village life goes on as always with among others Miss Read organising a Christmas treat for her students, spring coming to the village and the harvest festival finding Miss Read and the children decorating the church (this somehow reminded me so much of Barbara Pym’s books), while Miss Read begins to wonder whether she wants to spend her life at Fairacre or should move on for better prospects—career wise, that is. The edition I have also had an additional story ‘The Fairacre Festival’, where the residents and their friends (including a celebrity or two) organise a festival to raise funds when a storm damages the beautiful village church—St Patrick’s.
I found this a delightful read as I always do with Miss Read—I don’t know how it is that she manages to keep all the realities of life, tragedies, deaths, hurts and losses and yet keep the atmosphere overall pleasant; perhaps it because alongside, we also have the big and little pieces of happiness that life brings, the changing seasons and the beauty of nature—that she captures life itself so well, or simply the way she describes it.
This book with the different stories incorporated into the various chapters reminded me a lot of the Story Girl books by LM Montgomery in which we follow the lives of a group of cousins who are together at one of the family’s farm for various reasons whilst also ‘listening’ to stories that one of them, Sara Stanley aka the Story Girl, tells them for entertainment. I found this book had a similar charm and I enjoyed it very much (more so perhaps because of the darker-themed books I’d been reading before it).
The stories that Miss Read is told are a wide range from the downright wacky to tragic, some with a touch of melancholy, and others that are just plain good fun; I found all of them to be very enjoyable indeed—like life in Fairacre, they capture a whole gamut of feelings and yet give one a great deal of comfort. Besides these, I loved how Miss Read finally decides to stay on in Fairacre, the final straw as it were, was very good fun.
As always, I also found the illustrations by JS Goodall to be lovely.
A charming, wonderful read.
March 10, 2020
Besides the normal everyday happenings, this book from the Fairacre series includes numerous stories from the village's history. The array is diverse: humorous, sad, ghostly, outlandish, just plain odd. While they're interesting this is definitely not the usual comforting fare you tend to expect from Miss Read.
4.25 stars
4.25 stars
November 17, 2022
Lovely short stories set in Fairacre. Tales handed down to the reader by Miss Read who in turn has listened to village tales told to her by long standing residents. I particularly liked Mrs Next-Door. Nostalgic and great for a cosy winter read.
February 27, 2021
A delightful set of stories about village life.
June 30, 2021
The Fairacre series centers on the life of the fictional Miss Read. The happenings in the Fairacre village are told through her perspective as the Headmistress of the school. Over the Gate, the fifth in the series, has Miss Read sharing what is going on with the school as well as legendary tales that took place in the past in Fairacre, which have been told to her by friends.
Miss Read books are always a delight and Over the Gate was no different. I particularly enjoyed the tales from the past in this one. Miss Read's Fairacre village is one we'd all love to live in and it's been fun revisiting it as I read one a month.
Miss Read books are always a delight and Over the Gate was no different. I particularly enjoyed the tales from the past in this one. Miss Read's Fairacre village is one we'd all love to live in and it's been fun revisiting it as I read one a month.
June 15, 2019
This fifth book of the Fairacre series is a bit different from the usual. While it does relate some ongoing events, my favorite bits were what might best be described as village legends: Sally Gray, the flying woman; Job, a Fairacre ghost; Mrs. Next-Door, an incorrigible copycat. Mr. Willet is the teller of most of these tales, having lived in Fairacre all his life.
Another funny story involves a Londoner, temporarily residing in Fairacre due to being displaced by the German bombing of London during WW2, who gets the better of the irrepressible and irascible Mrs. Pringle.
But my favorite was Alf, the elderly man who stopped at Miss Read’s house on his way to Weymouth from the Midlands.
Miss Read is always an enjoyable comfort read. 4.5 ⭐️
Another funny story involves a Londoner, temporarily residing in Fairacre due to being displaced by the German bombing of London during WW2, who gets the better of the irrepressible and irascible Mrs. Pringle.
But my favorite was Alf, the elderly man who stopped at Miss Read’s house on his way to Weymouth from the Midlands.
Miss Read is always an enjoyable comfort read. 4.5 ⭐️
March 25, 2020
This fifth installment in the Fairacre series threw me off kilter because so many of the stories were about people who were no longer were part of the community. I enjoyed the stories, but was left wishing that I had learned more about the present-day Fairacre folks. (I'm used to the Thrush Green books where each book fleshes out the characters from the previous books.)
I'll keep reading and hoping for the best.
I'll keep reading and hoping for the best.
February 18, 2016
Another good book from miss read. I can sit and read hers all day
April 30, 2023
One of the best! A series of short stories. So lovely on audio especially (read by Gwen Watford).
December 10, 2021
“We do all need a story, as he said. There is a hunger in us which needs to be assuaged. With what avidity I have listened to my neighbor’s accounts of tales of long ago, and with what unfailing curiosity I observe the happenings of today! Here, around me, are all the folk of Fairacre, both the quick and the dead. The story of the village goes back a long, long time; and it still goes on. Every hour that we live the story unfolds, now tragic, now comical, but always and everlastingly absorbing.”
Over the Gate was written by Miss Read and published in 1964. It is the 5th book in her Fairacre series. This series follows a schoolteacher ( also Miss Read) and stories from her daily life in the small English village of Fairacre as well as sometimes learning about Fairacre’s other residents both in the present and from the past. In this installment we get to see a whole year in Fairacre. I always love the focus on the changing seasons. There were some Christmasy parts too, which I particularly enjoyed at this time of year.
We follow Miss Read’s life throughout a year and see certain incidents that happen throughout that time and we also get to hear stories from the past that get told to her as well. There were three stories from the past that stood out. One was a hilarious one about a woman who tries a recipe for weight loss with very unusual and far fetched consequences. Another a sweet story about a woman finding love later in life with her first ‘suitor’ from when she was very young. The last that stood out was a very tragic and poignant one about a ghost who shares a bond with the man who sees him because of similar pain in their pasts.
Something I liked was that there were lots of stories told with the two people propped on a gate somewhere, so the title made sense! I thought that was cute.
The Fairacre books are growing on me as I continue with the series. It’s truly lovely to escape to Fairacre. I adore Miss Read, she seems so satisfied in her spinster life as a schoolteacher. She’s so friendly, yet also blunt and funny. It was an absolute delight reading Over the Gate and I can’t wait till my next annual Fairacre read.
Over the Gate was written by Miss Read and published in 1964. It is the 5th book in her Fairacre series. This series follows a schoolteacher ( also Miss Read) and stories from her daily life in the small English village of Fairacre as well as sometimes learning about Fairacre’s other residents both in the present and from the past. In this installment we get to see a whole year in Fairacre. I always love the focus on the changing seasons. There were some Christmasy parts too, which I particularly enjoyed at this time of year.
We follow Miss Read’s life throughout a year and see certain incidents that happen throughout that time and we also get to hear stories from the past that get told to her as well. There were three stories from the past that stood out. One was a hilarious one about a woman who tries a recipe for weight loss with very unusual and far fetched consequences. Another a sweet story about a woman finding love later in life with her first ‘suitor’ from when she was very young. The last that stood out was a very tragic and poignant one about a ghost who shares a bond with the man who sees him because of similar pain in their pasts.
Something I liked was that there were lots of stories told with the two people propped on a gate somewhere, so the title made sense! I thought that was cute.
The Fairacre books are growing on me as I continue with the series. It’s truly lovely to escape to Fairacre. I adore Miss Read, she seems so satisfied in her spinster life as a schoolteacher. She’s so friendly, yet also blunt and funny. It was an absolute delight reading Over the Gate and I can’t wait till my next annual Fairacre read.
July 26, 2017
In "Over The Gate" the focus swings back to Miss Read and her life as current school mistress at Fairacre. She tells stories about her students, her run-ins with the grumpy cleaning lady, Mrs. Pringle, her friends in the village and the seasonal events that are a regular part of village life. In this book she questions whether Fairacre is where she wants to spend the rest of her life. With a good friend encouraging her to make a change before she becomes too settled in her ways, she has to give serious thought to her future.
June 11, 2023
I'm a huge fan of these books, and have been since I was a teenager and received one as a Christmas gift. They are slice-of-life books; in fact I once knew a woman who called them "Those books where nothing happens." But I love stories about people who feel real, and enjoy looking into their lives, even if they're not doing anything exciting.
Unlike most of the others, this book is very episodic, each chapter a separate story about someone who lives in or visited Fairacre. I prefer the books with the through storylines, but then the tales here are alternatingly sad or funny, and it's always great to revisit it. As Miss Read says at the end of this volume, "The story of the village goes back a long, long time; and it still goes on. Every hour that we live the story unfolds, now tragic, now comical, but always and everlastingly absorbing."
Unlike most of the others, this book is very episodic, each chapter a separate story about someone who lives in or visited Fairacre. I prefer the books with the through storylines, but then the tales here are alternatingly sad or funny, and it's always great to revisit it. As Miss Read says at the end of this volume, "The story of the village goes back a long, long time; and it still goes on. Every hour that we live the story unfolds, now tragic, now comical, but always and everlastingly absorbing."
July 20, 2020
This was such a nice sweet book, Miss Read knows how to delight her readers with such subtle writing.
I just loved the way these books of Miss Read go about daily life in an English Village which has always enamoured me. Be it Thrush Green or Fairacres each has its own country charm with simple people whom we can meet in our routine daily life and how they meet the ups and downs in life.
These books have always been relaxing and calming for me especially after reading an adventurous or a murder mystery novel
Would highly recommend these books of Miss Read to all age group
I just loved the way these books of Miss Read go about daily life in an English Village which has always enamoured me. Be it Thrush Green or Fairacres each has its own country charm with simple people whom we can meet in our routine daily life and how they meet the ups and downs in life.
These books have always been relaxing and calming for me especially after reading an adventurous or a murder mystery novel
Would highly recommend these books of Miss Read to all age group
October 27, 2021
“Reading her stuff is like sitting under an eiderdown wearing flanelette PJs with a mug of cocoa.”
Non so più dove ho letto questa frase. ma penso che descriva alla perfezione la sensazione di comfort che regala la lettura di Miss Read.
Io personalmente ho letto i miei primi due Miss Read interamente nel mio tragitto casa-lavoro in autobus. Il viaggio è lungo e fastidioso, attraversando buona parte della città, dal centro fino alla più estrema periferia industriale. Il paesaggio che scorre fuori dal finestrino va via via peggiorando e lungo il percorso l’autobus si popola di una fauna variegata e rumorosa in cui faccio fatica a trovare il mio posto, e non solo fisicamente.
Il contrasto con la pace campestre di Fairacre è stato il mio rifugio e il mio modo di ritagliarmi una fittizia bolla di tranquillità nel tramestio della corsa cittadina quotidiana.
Arrivare in ufficio con i pensieri ancora occupati dal festival organizzato per raccogliere fondi per la ricostruzione del tetto della chiesa distrutto da un temporale, dalle avventure della volante Sarah… o dal battibecco quotidiano tra Miss Read e l’arcigna Mrs Pringle, la signora incaricata della pulizia della scuola, è stato a tratti uno schock, ma ha senz’altro reso il viaggio più piacevole permettendo quella breve distrazione dalla routine quotidiana.
Il risvolto della medaglia è che la voglia di campagna si fa sempre più prepotente.
Una brevissima presentazione di Miss Read per chi non l’avesse mai incontrata prima: Miss Read è la maestra di una piccolo scuola di campagna nel sud dell’Inghilterra, vive nel cottage che si trova nel giardino della scuola e che è appunto riservato all’insegnante in carica. Vive da sola, con un gatto, Tabby, ed è aiutata da un giardiniere e faxtotum, Mr Willet, un uomo allegro e bonario e dall’arcigna Miss Pringle che si occupa di tenere pulite le aule e i corridoi tra grugniti e brontolii.
La campagna del dopoguera che racconta Miss Read non ha niente di bucolico; è fatta di lavori nei campi, bambini sporchi e mocciosi, ma con grande fantasia, temporali devastanti e nevicate epocali, pochi spiccioli, tanti buoni sentimenti e un pizzico di pepe.
L’autrice nel corso della sua lunga vita è stata molto prolifica, ed è quindi una buona fonte a cui tornare quando si è in cerca di una coccola letteraria.
Non so più dove ho letto questa frase. ma penso che descriva alla perfezione la sensazione di comfort che regala la lettura di Miss Read.
Io personalmente ho letto i miei primi due Miss Read interamente nel mio tragitto casa-lavoro in autobus. Il viaggio è lungo e fastidioso, attraversando buona parte della città, dal centro fino alla più estrema periferia industriale. Il paesaggio che scorre fuori dal finestrino va via via peggiorando e lungo il percorso l’autobus si popola di una fauna variegata e rumorosa in cui faccio fatica a trovare il mio posto, e non solo fisicamente.
Il contrasto con la pace campestre di Fairacre è stato il mio rifugio e il mio modo di ritagliarmi una fittizia bolla di tranquillità nel tramestio della corsa cittadina quotidiana.
Arrivare in ufficio con i pensieri ancora occupati dal festival organizzato per raccogliere fondi per la ricostruzione del tetto della chiesa distrutto da un temporale, dalle avventure della volante Sarah… o dal battibecco quotidiano tra Miss Read e l’arcigna Mrs Pringle, la signora incaricata della pulizia della scuola, è stato a tratti uno schock, ma ha senz’altro reso il viaggio più piacevole permettendo quella breve distrazione dalla routine quotidiana.
Il risvolto della medaglia è che la voglia di campagna si fa sempre più prepotente.
Una brevissima presentazione di Miss Read per chi non l’avesse mai incontrata prima: Miss Read è la maestra di una piccolo scuola di campagna nel sud dell’Inghilterra, vive nel cottage che si trova nel giardino della scuola e che è appunto riservato all’insegnante in carica. Vive da sola, con un gatto, Tabby, ed è aiutata da un giardiniere e faxtotum, Mr Willet, un uomo allegro e bonario e dall’arcigna Miss Pringle che si occupa di tenere pulite le aule e i corridoi tra grugniti e brontolii.
La campagna del dopoguera che racconta Miss Read non ha niente di bucolico; è fatta di lavori nei campi, bambini sporchi e mocciosi, ma con grande fantasia, temporali devastanti e nevicate epocali, pochi spiccioli, tanti buoni sentimenti e un pizzico di pepe.
L’autrice nel corso della sua lunga vita è stata molto prolifica, ed è quindi una buona fonte a cui tornare quando si è in cerca di una coccola letteraria.
January 30, 2020
I love the "Miss Read" books. Wonderful descriptions of characters.
January 1, 2021
Idyllic setting, wonderful stories!
August 20, 2024
Reads more as a collection of stories than a novel, doesn't have a through line.
February 19, 2012
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.
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.
August 4, 2020
Miss Read's books are moving, witty, amusing, a fascinating look at the hard life of the 1950s for villagers in the Cotswolds and they are delicious to read with many lines making me catch my breath because of their beauty. It is no wonder Miss Read (Dora Saint) earned herself an MBE or that Enya has two songs based on Fairacre and its characters. I have a feeling literary snobs look at the twee covers and "fluffy" sounding synopsis and turn away. What a shame it is that I've yet to see these village tales listed alongside James Herriot and Elizabeth Goudge, who always feature in the 'must read' lists of the well read. Her place there would be well deserved. For now I shall be content to add Fairacre and Thrush Green alongside The Shire and Hogwarts, as places I want to live. They are a balm.
That said, this book is not my favourite. I loved the individual stories and characters, but much prefer the main story to flow and stay with Fairacre characters.
That said, this book is not my favourite. I loved the individual stories and characters, but much prefer the main story to flow and stay with Fairacre characters.
December 23, 2022
Solid, enjoyable read. I am growing to love the characters of Fairacre.
I enjoyed this more on a second read for the #FollowUsToFairacre with Kate, Rainey, Chelsea and others. The story of Mrs Pringle’s Christmas pudding is too funny! I gasped out loud. This is much more episodic, almost random, but there is so much delightful Miss Read content that it is certainly worth an extra star than I gave it before.
I enjoyed this more on a second read for the #FollowUsToFairacre with Kate, Rainey, Chelsea and others. The story of Mrs Pringle’s Christmas pudding is too funny! I gasped out loud. This is much more episodic, almost random, but there is so much delightful Miss Read content that it is certainly worth an extra star than I gave it before.
February 3, 2011
I am not a fan of anthologies. Over the Gate was a collection of short stories/tales woven into an overall story about life in Fairacre. She used each person she met during the overall story to tell their tale. I think I am going to let Miss Read rest a while.
Read
June 1, 2020I enjoy reading Miss Read's books about life in a small English village in the 1950s. It is another time, quiet, peaceful with no cell phones or internet. Reading the book gives me a feeling of peace.
March 22, 2021
A pleasure to read, as are all Miss Read’s books. This edition comprises a collection of short stories about the people of Fairacre plus, at the end, The Fairacre Festival.
June 23, 2019
I’m finally back in the Fairacre series, and as usual, I wonder what kept me away for so long (probably the fact that this series is only found at the regional library branches). Over the Gate is about the stories told by various Fairacre residents to Miss Read as she goes about her job as the headmistress of the school.
The stories in Over The Gate could standalone, if not for the fact that Miss Read ties them all together. It’s presented as a series of events, but to be honest, you could probably read this out of chapter and still enjoy the book. The stories range from a tragic tale regarding the local ghost to a humorous story about a recipe for weight loss. There’s even a story about the formidable Mrs Pringle and her Christmas Pudding during the Second World War.
What I appreciated about this book was being able to see most of the residents that have made appearances in previous books. Obviously, you won’t get as many stories of the kids, as the focus is no longer on the school, but even Joseph Coggs gets to tell the story about The Old Man of the Sea that he met. One new-ish character that popped pretty frequently was Mrs Mawne, who I previously only knew as the no-longer estranged wife of Mr. Mawne. It doesn’t seem like she’s very pleasant, but I guess she’s part of Fairacre now! Miss Read’s old friend, Amy, also makes several appearances, as do people like Mr Willet, the Vicar, and the Annetts.
I found that this book was a lot lighter than the second and third books, which dealt more with Fairacre as modern conveniences (and inconveniences) creep up on it. This is probably because most of the book consists of stories that are invariably of the past, but I’m not really complaining. I liked how the previous books balanced the challenges of modernity and teaching in a rural village with the charm of a rural village, but it’s also nice to just have a very cozy book that doesn’t have any dark sides once in a while.
Needless to say, I enjoyed this fifth book in the Fairacre series. I’m really enjoying this trip back into the past that started with Miss Clare Remembers, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. As always, I think this is a great series for when you want something cozy and comforting to read.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
The stories in Over The Gate could standalone, if not for the fact that Miss Read ties them all together. It’s presented as a series of events, but to be honest, you could probably read this out of chapter and still enjoy the book. The stories range from a tragic tale regarding the local ghost to a humorous story about a recipe for weight loss. There’s even a story about the formidable Mrs Pringle and her Christmas Pudding during the Second World War.
What I appreciated about this book was being able to see most of the residents that have made appearances in previous books. Obviously, you won’t get as many stories of the kids, as the focus is no longer on the school, but even Joseph Coggs gets to tell the story about The Old Man of the Sea that he met. One new-ish character that popped pretty frequently was Mrs Mawne, who I previously only knew as the no-longer estranged wife of Mr. Mawne. It doesn’t seem like she’s very pleasant, but I guess she’s part of Fairacre now! Miss Read’s old friend, Amy, also makes several appearances, as do people like Mr Willet, the Vicar, and the Annetts.
I found that this book was a lot lighter than the second and third books, which dealt more with Fairacre as modern conveniences (and inconveniences) creep up on it. This is probably because most of the book consists of stories that are invariably of the past, but I’m not really complaining. I liked how the previous books balanced the challenges of modernity and teaching in a rural village with the charm of a rural village, but it’s also nice to just have a very cozy book that doesn’t have any dark sides once in a while.
Needless to say, I enjoyed this fifth book in the Fairacre series. I’m really enjoying this trip back into the past that started with Miss Clare Remembers, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. As always, I think this is a great series for when you want something cozy and comforting to read.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
June 2, 2023
Well, I enjoyed this revisit to Fairacre and was glad to see that the book stood alone just fine. But the reason for the four-star rating is that this novel contains one of the most well-written ghost stories I have ever encountered. It is not long, but it packs a wallop. After reading the first one I decided not to read any further into the series but then I saw that this one mentioned a ghost tale. And I am so glad I read it! The Fairacre novels are really all just loosely tied together vignettes of village life and gossip and that is what makes them so delightful. I grew up in a small town and I can totally see some of the characters I grew up with in the characters of these novels and that is always fun. I am not sure if I will read any more of the series any time soon, but I rather like knowing that there are a lot more stories from this village out there for me if I want to visit them.
"Billy arrived home from school and was told the news of the new baby next door. He took it stolidly. Babies did not mean much to Billy. If anything, he disapproved of them. They drew attention to themselves, he knew, to the detriment of their older brother's welfare."
"Mr. Roberts, the farmer, has a new batch of Rhode Island Red hens who supply me with a dozen dark brown eggs weekly. These are lucky hens, let me say, garrulous and energetic, running at large in the farmyard behind the house, scratching busily in the loose straw at the foot of the ricks, and advancing briskly to the back door whenever anyone emerges holding a plate. No wonder that their eggs are luscious compared with the product of their poor imprisoned sisters."
"Billy arrived home from school and was told the news of the new baby next door. He took it stolidly. Babies did not mean much to Billy. If anything, he disapproved of them. They drew attention to themselves, he knew, to the detriment of their older brother's welfare."
"Mr. Roberts, the farmer, has a new batch of Rhode Island Red hens who supply me with a dozen dark brown eggs weekly. These are lucky hens, let me say, garrulous and energetic, running at large in the farmyard behind the house, scratching busily in the loose straw at the foot of the ricks, and advancing briskly to the back door whenever anyone emerges holding a plate. No wonder that their eggs are luscious compared with the product of their poor imprisoned sisters."
August 3, 2021
All the remembrances shared within this volume were entertaining, even if not all were pleasant, exactly. They ranged from tragic to comic and back again.
I am enjoying getting to know Miss Read's personality better, even though I am still surprised by aspects of her temperament. For the first few books, I had pictured her as a perfectly proper, respectable schoolmarm. That image has gradually been replaced as I've observed more of her sense of humor, wit, habits, frustrations, rebellions, and spunk. Sometimes I fairly chortle over her commentary. 😄 Her verbal sparring with her friend Amy seems to have gone up a notch in the last book or two, and there's always the standby sour exchange with Mrs. Pringle to keep things lively.
I particularly enjoy any and all conversations between Mr. Willet and either Mrs. Pringle or Miss Read. They are generally quite humorous.
Note on format: The ebook version I was reading had a number of typographical errors in the form of word substitutions; more than is usual, I think. For instance, 'ready' instead of 'really,' 'lucidly' where it seemed to have meant 'luckily,' and so forth. It was sometimes momentarily baffling. 😜 Not sure if it was just a hoopla thing or if the ebook in general is messed up.
Overall, though, it was still certainly worth reading. I am liking these increasingly the more of them I read. They might be getting better, they might just be growing on me--who knows? 🙃
I am enjoying getting to know Miss Read's personality better, even though I am still surprised by aspects of her temperament. For the first few books, I had pictured her as a perfectly proper, respectable schoolmarm. That image has gradually been replaced as I've observed more of her sense of humor, wit, habits, frustrations, rebellions, and spunk. Sometimes I fairly chortle over her commentary. 😄 Her verbal sparring with her friend Amy seems to have gone up a notch in the last book or two, and there's always the standby sour exchange with Mrs. Pringle to keep things lively.
I particularly enjoy any and all conversations between Mr. Willet and either Mrs. Pringle or Miss Read. They are generally quite humorous.
Note on format: The ebook version I was reading had a number of typographical errors in the form of word substitutions; more than is usual, I think. For instance, 'ready' instead of 'really,' 'lucidly' where it seemed to have meant 'luckily,' and so forth. It was sometimes momentarily baffling. 😜 Not sure if it was just a hoopla thing or if the ebook in general is messed up.
Overall, though, it was still certainly worth reading. I am liking these increasingly the more of them I read. They might be getting better, they might just be growing on me--who knows? 🙃
August 20, 2017
This is another in the Miss Read series of books. Unlike the others this one seems to consist of a variety of separate stories. It starts out with Pringle basically denouncing the people who live in Fairacre, calling them 'lazy, shiftless, godless, money-grubbing' people. Then the stories start.
Sally Gray was an old woman, according to the story, who discovered a substance that would allow her to become weightless for a short time. This was very handy in cleaning the house and in picking fruits from trees. Then there's a story about two women, Bertha and Polly. Polly seems to have idol worship or something about Bertha and duplicates anything Bertha does including having certain curtains and so forth. It gets into being a sort of feud but has a really funny ending.
Then there's a sad story about a man in the village who actually talked to a ghost. Following that is a story involving Pringle, the Christmas Pudding Affiar which, again, has a really funny ending. There's also a story about a boy who meets a man who supposedly has a castle under the sea and a story about another boy who is sure a certain woman is a witch and sets out to prove it.
It all makes for a fun read.
Sally Gray was an old woman, according to the story, who discovered a substance that would allow her to become weightless for a short time. This was very handy in cleaning the house and in picking fruits from trees. Then there's a story about two women, Bertha and Polly. Polly seems to have idol worship or something about Bertha and duplicates anything Bertha does including having certain curtains and so forth. It gets into being a sort of feud but has a really funny ending.
Then there's a sad story about a man in the village who actually talked to a ghost. Following that is a story involving Pringle, the Christmas Pudding Affiar which, again, has a really funny ending. There's also a story about a boy who meets a man who supposedly has a castle under the sea and a story about another boy who is sure a certain woman is a witch and sets out to prove it.
It all makes for a fun read.
January 11, 2025
In this book, Miss Read tells stories of Fairacre that go beyond the schoolroom and beyond the school gate. They are stories her friends and neighbors brought to her or are things she experienced herself. Toward the end of the book, she and George Willet are exchanging stories when one of them decides that it is time to get back to work, but another story comes to mind, and work is put off for a few minutes because people need stories. There is so much truth in that statement. We first had oral stories. Now we have thousands of books published every year, newspapers, TV news and shows, letters and phone calls...the list goes on and on. One story in the book is a ghost story. Another is about a man's journey to find a pleasant place to live. Finally, we learn of a young boy trying to prove the story of a local witch. Miss Read tells stories of ordinary people and lives in a very enjoyable and addictive way. It is a good addiction to have.
November 19, 2017
I have read several of the Miss Read books and always enjoy their chronicles of life in a small
English village.
This book has a few chapters about happenings at the school, but it has a lot of tales told
to Miss Read over the gate by residents of the village. One is about an old cottage in ruins that
is inhabited by a ghost and the ghost's tragic story. Another is about a little boy on a field
trip to the beach who wanders off and meets a midget that shows him tricks and tells him
that he is The Old Man of the Sea. Even though it turns out there is a show in town with
a troop of midgets, the boy is convinced he met the Old Man of the Sea.
All the stories are pleasant and the majority are quite interesting.
English village.
This book has a few chapters about happenings at the school, but it has a lot of tales told
to Miss Read over the gate by residents of the village. One is about an old cottage in ruins that
is inhabited by a ghost and the ghost's tragic story. Another is about a little boy on a field
trip to the beach who wanders off and meets a midget that shows him tricks and tells him
that he is The Old Man of the Sea. Even though it turns out there is a show in town with
a troop of midgets, the boy is convinced he met the Old Man of the Sea.
All the stories are pleasant and the majority are quite interesting.
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