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Fairacre #19
Farewell to Fairacre
Having enjoyed robust health throughout her career, Miss Read is looking forward to an energetic retirement in a few years' time. But to her dismay, she is suddenly taken ill and is compelled to consider giving up her post as soon as possible.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
97 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Miss Read
161 books522 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 44 reviews
September 8, 2024
A perfect read for Spinster September! I enjoyed this so much. It’s a very lively plot and there are some particularly funny and touching bits. There is more romantic drama than is usual for Miss Read but she manages to stay a spinster!
May 8, 2012
But... but... I don't want to say farewell to Fairacre.
*sigh*
I guess I'd better go pack my bags for Thrush Green. I hope the weather's nice there.
*sigh*
I guess I'd better go pack my bags for Thrush Green. I hope the weather's nice there.
January 28, 2023
I have put off reading what was once the final book in this most remarkable series because I simply didn’t want it to end. There is now one more book after Farewell to Fairacre, and I will be brave and read it. Amusing and thoughtful in turn, never twee or maudlin, I have loved following Miss Read all of these years as she presided over the little school at Fairacre, educating hundreds of students in those decades.
But all good things come to an end — even a position as lovely as Miss Read’s and a series as wonderful as this one. After two of what today we’d call mini-strokes, Miss Read decides to retire two years early. She enjoys her final year, although I wonder if she enjoyed it as much as I loved this book. Highly, highly recommended, although I would start at the beginning with Village School.
But all good things come to an end — even a position as lovely as Miss Read’s and a series as wonderful as this one. After two of what today we’d call mini-strokes, Miss Read decides to retire two years early. She enjoys her final year, although I wonder if she enjoyed it as much as I loved this book. Highly, highly recommended, although I would start at the beginning with Village School.
March 6, 2020
I started reading this series years ago. If you have ever dreamed of living in a small English village these books are a delight. Thatched cottages, gardens, jumble sales, lots of tea drinking, and lots of hilarious characters. Miss Read, a teacher in the local elementary school, is the storyteller. Sadly, there will be no more as the author passed away in 2012. This whole series is a treasure.
September 12, 2019
Miss Read has contemplated early retirement in the past when it looked as though Fairacre school would close due to declining enrollment. In the last novel, through the machinations of Amy’s husband, James, two sets of foster parents move into new houses in Fairacre, bringing enrollment numbers up to a safe level. So Miss Read settles in for a good long stretch.
It is not to be. She suffers a stroke, and later, a second one. Her doctor urges her to get more rest and take better care of herself. Miss Read’s biggest fear is having another, perhaps fatal, stroke at school in front of the children. After much soul searching, she decides to call it quits.
Her last term is by no means uneventful. Henry Mawne is single again, his wife having died recently. Another mature bachelor, John Jenkins has moved to the area and is quite smitten with Miss Read. He proposes marriage, repeatedly, but Miss Read is determined to remain a spinster all her days. Mrs. Pringle continues to berate all and sundry about the filthy conditions at school and the unappreciated work she puts in. Her niece, Minnie Pringle, has one of her regular spats with her husband, Ern.
On her last day, all her Fairacre friends gather at school to present her with flowers and a retirement present of a new garden seat. Always shy about being the center of attention, Miss Read is getting teary when fortunately, a loose dog crashes the party, allowing her to regain her composure and finish her thank you speech.
A very lovely end to her tenure at Fairacre school, although there is one more book in the series.
It is not to be. She suffers a stroke, and later, a second one. Her doctor urges her to get more rest and take better care of herself. Miss Read’s biggest fear is having another, perhaps fatal, stroke at school in front of the children. After much soul searching, she decides to call it quits.
Her last term is by no means uneventful. Henry Mawne is single again, his wife having died recently. Another mature bachelor, John Jenkins has moved to the area and is quite smitten with Miss Read. He proposes marriage, repeatedly, but Miss Read is determined to remain a spinster all her days. Mrs. Pringle continues to berate all and sundry about the filthy conditions at school and the unappreciated work she puts in. Her niece, Minnie Pringle, has one of her regular spats with her husband, Ern.
On her last day, all her Fairacre friends gather at school to present her with flowers and a retirement present of a new garden seat. Always shy about being the center of attention, Miss Read is getting teary when fortunately, a loose dog crashes the party, allowing her to regain her composure and finish her thank you speech.
A very lovely end to her tenure at Fairacre school, although there is one more book in the series.
April 8, 2010
And I've finished the penultimate Fairacre book. I find the character of Miss Read to be very compatible, very approachable, and lots of fun to spend time with. Here, she's ready to say goodbye to her little school but not without the usual amount of village upsets. No diminution of sweetness here at the end of the series.
March 18, 2012
Jae discovered the delightful English writer, Miss Read. We read all the books we could find through our local libraries. I've continued to read any I can locate. Jae loved the village of Thrush Green, but my favorite is Fairacre. Two of the Fairacre novels were among my first purchases for my NOOK. Both were about the schoolteacher's retirement. A little bibliotherapy!
September 16, 2019
I love this book because it deals with the inevitable physical and mental changes that we all experience as we age and with the hard decisions that all ageing people must make. Advances in medicine are keeping us healthier and most older people are still active. Some continue to work long after normal retirement age, but even those “super seniors” must make adjustments to allow for declining abilities. It’s a fact of life, as Miss Read discovers.
In a sense, she’s had experience with ageing because most of the people she’s close to are older than she, especially her dear friend Dolly Clare. But no matter how many times you see the ageing process, realizing that it’s happening to YOU is still a shock.
The story opens in September at the beginning of Christmas term at Fairacre School. Everything seems as usual. The school cleaner Mrs. Pringle is moaning that no one appreciates her hard work. The skylight is leaking again, in spite of a recent (and expensive) repair job. The pile of administrative forms to be filled out and returned to the Central Office gets bigger and Miss Read begins to despair of ever getting to the bottom of it.
One hopeful occurance is that two large houses have been purchased by a charity that finances small “group homes” for orphans. One house is already occupied by house parents and four school age children. More are expected and the increased enrollment means that Fairacre School is saved from closure. The new kids are “townies” but they fit in well with the village students. All come with sad (sometimes horrifying) stories, but they quickly adapt to their new lives.
But Miss Read herself doesn’t seem as well as usual. Not really sick, but not really well, either. She’s surprised to find that she tires easily. She’s also surprised to find that her new pupils are far advanced academically compared to her other pupils. For the first time in her teaching career, she worries that her methods may be at fault. Could a younger, more energetic teacher do more for Fairacre School? Should she retire? Can she afford to?
In the end, her health makes the decision for her, as it often does. The change is sad for her and for everyone connected to the school, but things work out for the best.
This book was also unusual because it’s the first time that Miss Read has a reaction that I find surprising. As all Miss Read fans will understand, she’s come to feel like a friend and I’ve always felt that we have a lot in common. But when the second group home is occupied, a problem arises. I won’t spoil the story, but I will say that I was astonished that everyone (including Miss Read) was so sympathetic toward the guilty party, while I was upset because of the effect on the children. Could ideas have changed that much since 1991? Would the reaction be different today? I wonder.
There are other changes in Fairacre, as there always are even in a placid rural community. An old friend is lost and several new characters introduced. Life is never static and certainly not in Fairacre. It’s reassuring to see that it will go on and that Miss Read is content to move on to the next phase in her own life. Dora Saint believed that the secret to happiness is being grateful for your blessings. That’s still a sensible idea, which is why her books continue to be popular.
In a sense, she’s had experience with ageing because most of the people she’s close to are older than she, especially her dear friend Dolly Clare. But no matter how many times you see the ageing process, realizing that it’s happening to YOU is still a shock.
The story opens in September at the beginning of Christmas term at Fairacre School. Everything seems as usual. The school cleaner Mrs. Pringle is moaning that no one appreciates her hard work. The skylight is leaking again, in spite of a recent (and expensive) repair job. The pile of administrative forms to be filled out and returned to the Central Office gets bigger and Miss Read begins to despair of ever getting to the bottom of it.
One hopeful occurance is that two large houses have been purchased by a charity that finances small “group homes” for orphans. One house is already occupied by house parents and four school age children. More are expected and the increased enrollment means that Fairacre School is saved from closure. The new kids are “townies” but they fit in well with the village students. All come with sad (sometimes horrifying) stories, but they quickly adapt to their new lives.
But Miss Read herself doesn’t seem as well as usual. Not really sick, but not really well, either. She’s surprised to find that she tires easily. She’s also surprised to find that her new pupils are far advanced academically compared to her other pupils. For the first time in her teaching career, she worries that her methods may be at fault. Could a younger, more energetic teacher do more for Fairacre School? Should she retire? Can she afford to?
In the end, her health makes the decision for her, as it often does. The change is sad for her and for everyone connected to the school, but things work out for the best.
This book was also unusual because it’s the first time that Miss Read has a reaction that I find surprising. As all Miss Read fans will understand, she’s come to feel like a friend and I’ve always felt that we have a lot in common. But when the second group home is occupied, a problem arises. I won’t spoil the story, but I will say that I was astonished that everyone (including Miss Read) was so sympathetic toward the guilty party, while I was upset because of the effect on the children. Could ideas have changed that much since 1991? Would the reaction be different today? I wonder.
There are other changes in Fairacre, as there always are even in a placid rural community. An old friend is lost and several new characters introduced. Life is never static and certainly not in Fairacre. It’s reassuring to see that it will go on and that Miss Read is content to move on to the next phase in her own life. Dora Saint believed that the secret to happiness is being grateful for your blessings. That’s still a sensible idea, which is why her books continue to be popular.
March 8, 2025
In which Miss Read retires. I felt some stress a few days ago and I quickly reach for this book and my cares seem less burdensome, my world started to right itself. :D
Addendum-- I reread this five years later and I heartily concur with the previous review. It was time again to reach for a re-reading of Miss Read's books!
Addendum-- I reread this five years later and I heartily concur with the previous review. It was time again to reach for a re-reading of Miss Read's books!
June 30, 2018
This has been an outstanding series for me, thoroughly enjoyable! I hate to see it end, but console myself with the fact that I can return to Fairacre at any time. ☺
December 25, 2018
One more to go and that would bring me to an end of a wonderful series. That feeling of losing out on friends, once the journey is over, is always so upsetting. I believe it says a lot about the writer, when they get you so emotionally attached to the characters, that you dread picking up the last book in the series. You just want the books to go on and on. Well, as they say, all good things must come to an end so that we get to move on to better things. Hoping Thrush Green, fits into that bracket and I enjoy those just as much as I enjoyed reading Fairacre books, but for now, it’s A Peaceful Retirement.
November 19, 2017
Miss Read's in her late fifties. She develops health problems and has to decide whether or not she should take early retirement from teaching. She also ends up with two guys who are interested in her, Ern beats up Minnie (again), the death of a character's wife and a number of other things that happen.
As with all the Miss Read books there is minimal violence (due to Ern, Bert or Arthus), the only deaths are natural causes or an accident and there's always a good ending. That is one of the things that makes this series of books so enjoyable.
As with all the Miss Read books there is minimal violence (due to Ern, Bert or Arthus), the only deaths are natural causes or an accident and there's always a good ending. That is one of the things that makes this series of books so enjoyable.
July 20, 2013
i've not read a Miss Read book for years and I enjoyed this one, but not as much as I expected to. It was amusing and well observed, but two story-lines were hinted at and then not really developed. I enjoyed the way that Miss Read had two unwanted suitors and how she dealt with them. The way village gossip spread was hilarious. Not that it's much to do with the book, but I was surprised at how casually a stroke was treated only a few years back.
All in all it was a nice relaxing book.
All in all it was a nice relaxing book.
January 17, 2022
Another welcome escape to Fairacre - the narrator is experiencing some health problems and starts to realize she might need to take early retirement from her position as schoolmistress. Her friend Amy, always an enthusiastic matchmaker, is delighted that another eligible man has moved into the village. The narrator has some decisions to make, and derives comfort from the natural beauty of the Cotswolds and the kindness of her neighbors.
July 21, 2019
Fairacre, nineteenth book of the series and I feel like I am losing a best friend. I have one more book and the series will end. This series has been consistently entertaining and, while I cannot transport myself to Fairacre, I feel like I’m leaving behind long standing friends. Miss Read is now retiring as headmistress of Fairacre School and what will she do next? Has she made a mistake?
March 9, 2015
I will someday have to reread these wonderful novels. I am fortunate that Miss Read
was such a prolific writer as there are many more of her books to read. I have thoroughly
enjoyed every one of the Fairacre and Thrush Green novels.
was such a prolific writer as there are many more of her books to read. I have thoroughly
enjoyed every one of the Fairacre and Thrush Green novels.
August 14, 2015
A sober Fairacre with Miss Read facing health issues and retirement. Nevertheless, as each book in the series, it is filled with the joy of living in an English village, the beauty of the countryside, the rich blessing of friendships, and the value of a quiet, solitary life.
July 13, 2018
Miss Read faces a major decision about her future as she ponders retirement in this series set in a small English village. The description on the ebook says this is the last in the series, but there is one more book.
September 29, 2008
I enjoy all the Fairacre books!
November 7, 2013
I loved these stories of Fairacre and I'm sad to see them end.
April 6, 2015
I'm just so sad that this series is ending for me. Knowing that the imaginary Miss Read is able to enjoy her retirement also, however, is somewhat of a comfort.
February 12, 2020
The first half was troubling with Miss Read's two strokes (treated rather cavalierly!) and another troubling visit from Minnie, but I liked the second half better.
February 9, 2025
This is a re-read for me. The Miss Read books are the original “Hope-core” volumes, with each story gently told. As with her previous novels in the Fairacre series, Miss Read’s retirement story is written with a quiet, hopeful tenor that makes me long for a more content existence. If you love nature, quirky country characters and a strong female protagonist, I urge you to immerse yourself in the Fairacre books, starting with “Village School”. “Farewell to Fairacre” is one of the later books in the series, but just like its predecessors, it overflows with warmth, humour and a degree of highly valued peace.
Note: Miss Read also wrote the “Thrush Green” series of books which are similarly comforting and engaging.
Note: Miss Read also wrote the “Thrush Green” series of books which are similarly comforting and engaging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2024
Pleasure tempered with disappointment after reading this one as I've only one left to read of the Fairacre series! This one was soothing and familiar as usual however, more so than before, reading it reminded me of the protagonist's age as she reaches retirement and does so with a marvellous send off.
October 14, 2024
Quite a few twists and turns. Lump in your throat moments, laugh out loud moments, and a few serious moments too (I love how Miss Read does not have a perfect little life, with perfect circumstances etc - but the stories of Fairacre are full of the real stuff of life) and just so much loveliness. Makes me truly want to slow down the pace of life.
December 19, 2018
I read and reread 'Miss Read' books whenever I need a bit of comfort. This collection doesn't disappoint and you are drawn quickly into village life with all it's gossip and daily round. Dora Saint paints her characters with a few well chosen words.
August 25, 2020
A gentle return to Fairacre and the enviably peaceful life of the village Headmistress as retirement calls and is answered. Ooozes contentment; a welcome relief from modern angst, trauma and introspection.
November 6, 2025
Love this series. It’s very bittersweet because I’m reaching the end of the series, and I am not going to know what to read next. I have enjoyed every one of these editions. fortunately, there is another series.
January 16, 2020
Love this whole series!
March 24, 2020
“Miss Read reminds us of what is really important. And if we can’t live in her world, it’s certainly a comforting place to visit.” —USA Today
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews