Farewell to Fairacre [Paperback]

Miss Read (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2001

The last novel in the beloved Fairacre series finds Miss Read with important decisions to make. Gradually worsening health forces her to consider an early retirement. John Jenkins, a handsome newcomer, competes for her affections with the newly widowed Henry Mawne. However, Miss Read has more on her mind than men. Orphans living in her former house have bolstered the village school's roll, but these new students seem to be having problems with their adoptive family. In the midst of all this turmoil, readers can rest assured that FAREWELL TO FAIRACRE boasts all the elements they have come to love: eccentric villagers, gentle humor, and a verdant rural landscape teeming with lambs, larks, and blackthorn bushes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the latest-and possibly final-installment of the chronicles of the English village of Fairacre and its tiny school, the pseudonymous author and narrator Miss Read (Changes at Fairacre) begins the academic year anticipating few surprises. Two relatively minor but frightening strokes, however, force the stalwart headmistress to consider, and eventually opt for, early retirement. In the course of her final, lovingly described year at Fairacre school, Miss Read carries on her amiable feud with the school's grouchy cleaner, fends off marriage proposals from a handsome newcomer to town, keeps a watchful eye on the courtship of a newly widowed friend and continues her involvement in the pleasing minutiae of village life. Though Miss Read acknowledges the existence of the contemporary world, the village and its school remain resolutely old-fashioned: "More worldly children need videos and computers, but in Fairacre, we still enjoy pencils and paper, I am glad to say." Sensible, well read and acutely observant, the delightfully prim Miss Read continues to be very good company indeed. Line drawings.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In the finale to a series that began with Village School (1955), Miss Read's long teaching career in Fairacre is brought to a satisfactory close. This quintessential "gentle read" chronicles Miss Read's decision to retire as schoolmistress after a series of small strokes. Readers are also brought up-to-date on the lives of other inhabitants of the village who have appeared in scores of previous books: Mrs. Pringle, Miss Read's bullying cleaning lady; the newly widowed Henry Mawne; the Willet family; and her old friends Amy, Vicar Gerald Partridge and his wife, the Umbleditches, and the Annetts. Miss Read must also decide whether to resist the attentions of a handsome newcomer with a romantic interest in her. As soothing and warm as a cup of Earl Grey tea, this book will delight fans and newcomers to the series alike.
Nancy Pearl, Washington Ctr. for the Book, Seattle
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (November 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618154566
• ISBN-13: 978-0618154562
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #439,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy with Farewell, June 15, 2009

By 

Kelly J. Lindstrom "Book Lover" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Farewell to Fairacre (Paperback)

I loved this book it tied everything and everyone in and the feeling that the characters are real never ended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Farewell to Fairacre, August 2, 2007

By 

Ann G. Baird (Lovell, WY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Farewell to Fairacre (Paperback)

All of Miss Read's books are a pleasure to read. I have collected all of them. In an uncertain and dangerous world, her books give respite and peace for a time.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent series, July 16, 2005

By 

OhioReads (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Farewell to Fairacre (Paperback)

This is a wonderful, old-fashioned series. She is no longer writing, but the Fairacre and Thrush Green books are well worth checking out and she was a very prolific writer, so you will have a lot of good reading. If you enjoy Jan Karon or Janette Oke, you will enjoy Miss Read's books.