Order of Miss Read Books

Miss Read was the pen name of English novelist Dora Jessie Saint (1913-2012); an author of novels set on the British countryside. Her series included Fairacre and Thrush Green – both set in British villages. “Miss Read” was also a character who appeared in her Fairacre series. Saint also worked as a teacher. She retired from writing in 1996 and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1998. Dora Jessie Saint passed away in April 2012 at the age of 98.

Miss Read became a published author in 1955 with the novel Village School. Her final novel was Christmas at Thrush Green (written with Jenny Dereham), published in 2009. Below is a list of Miss Read’s books in order of when they were originally released:

Publication Order of Fairacre Books

Publication Order of Fairacre Collections

Publication Order of Thrush Green Books

Publication Order of Thrush Green Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Caxley Chronicles Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Note: Christmas at Thrush Green was co-authored by Jenny Dereham.

If You Like Miss Read Books, You’ll Love…

• Patrick Taylor
• Maeve Binchy
• Jan Karon

Miss Read Synopses: Fresh from the Country by Miss Read, young Anna Lacey’s life has been predominantly rooted in the rural surroundings of an Essex farm. However, her journey takes a new direction as she embarks on her first teaching position, leading her to a less-than-charming, newly developed suburb. This unfamiliar territory brings a host of challenges, from cramped accommodations and a tight-fisted landlady to classrooms bursting with students and an assortment of unconventional colleagues, whom she describes as ‘a rum lot’. As Anna navigates her new role, she encounters the clash between her idealistic teaching theories and the practical demands of her energetic and exuberant pupils.

The Market Square by Miss Read is the first book in the Caxley Chronicles series. Set against the backdrop of the English village of Caxley, this heartwarming tale spans more than three decades, chronicling the lives of two men and their families. The narrative unfolds from the coronation of King Edward VII to the emergence of the automobile as a prominent fixture in society. The audiobook, narrated by British actress June Barrie, skillfully brings the story to life with her smooth delivery and distinct character portrayals.

One of the central characters, ironmonger Bender North, is presented as a confident and accomplished tradesman. While his interactions with the villagers often come across as gruff, Barrie skillfully reveals his softer side during his moments of leisure in his garden. In contrast, baker Sep Howard is depicted as a more reserved and controlled individual. As the two men, who have been lifelong rivals, experience their fair share of disagreements and reconciliations over the years, Barrie masterfully conveys their passionate arguments with appropriate intensity and their instances of forgiveness with a touch of tenderness.

Miss Read Reviews: The first Fairacre book, Village School by Miss Read, offers a charming insight into life from a headmaster’s viewpoint in a British village school during the 1950s. It’s replete with endearing anecdotes and occasionally quite amusing tales. This delightful narrative presents a refreshing departure from my typically favored literary genres, providing an enjoyable change of pace that I truly appreciated. I’d recommend this book to anybody I know. -E.

I recently finished re-reading Thrush Green by Miss Read. Years ago, I immersed myself in the Thrush Green series and found immense enjoyment within its pages. Recently, I was delighted to discover it available as an e-book, giving me the chance to relive its charm. Within this initial book of the series, we are introduced to a range of captivating characters. The tale revolves around a jilted fiancée and her nephew Paul, along with the young village doctor who attends to Paul’s bout of measles. However, it’s the enigmatic Curdle family, proprietors of a traveling fair, that plays a significant role throughout the series.

The Curdle family’s annual fair marks a single, bustling day in the village that draws everyone’s attention. The author’s clever approach was to encapsulate a multitude of events within the span of a single day, and she does so with finesse. This technique allows us to delve deeply into the lives of the diverse villagers, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories. The book skillfully brings together these threads in a way that immerses readers in the world of Thrush Green and sets the stage for the series ahead. -Kris

2 Responses to “Order of Miss Read Books”

1. gina: 11 years ago

   i have a book by miss read it is in great condition copyright is 1964 its called the little red bus can you tell me how much it is worth

   Reply

   • Brandon: 11 years ago

     You would be referring to this

     It’s being sold for about $15-30 on Amazon (perhaps in lesser condition, mind you), so it doesn’t appear to be extremely valuable.

     Reply