Miss Read’s Thrush Green
Last Sunday, I travelled to the heart of the Cotswolds to a very special place – Wood Green near Witney – the inspiration behind Miss Read’s fictional ‘Thrush Green’.
I’ve visited here before, but it’s always a joy to see the golden homes nestled around the green, and it’s even better that I got to meet up with Dora Saint’s daughter, Jill, for a very special performance…
The wonderful Redlynch Players were performing ‘Miss Read Remembered’ by Ron Perry in the church, and how lovely it was to see the characters of Thrush Green come to life! Mrs Curdle’s caravan looked absolutely splendid, and Ron Perry really captured all the warmth and humour of Miss Read’s story. There was a particularly moving scene between Dr Bailey and Mrs Curdle and the choice of music really added to the beauty and poignancy of the production.
I thought I’d travelled a long way from Suffolk to see the play, but there were at least three people in the audience from America! The appeal of Miss Read is truly international and it’s a real testimony to her writing that this novel, first published in 1959, is still so appealing.
I read Farewell to Fairacre about 2 years ago, and didn’t quite get it out of my mind. I kept intending to try to find more Miss Read books, but that would involve either ordering from Amazon or Abe, and waiting, plus paying for shipping. So I’d ask every now and then at the 2nd hand store, and finally hit the jackpot yesterday; picked up about six of them. I’ve had several years of stress and depression, and decided to get as many Agatha Christie and Miss Reads as I could find, and just read myself into relaxation. It does work.
I’m an analytical type of person, I like to read detective novels mostly, at the moment, with forays into Dickens and John Buchan; so I wasn’t sure what to expect as per my reaction. I wasn’t sure that such idyllic writing would work for me, but I’ve just finished Thrush Green, and while finding some problems with class consciousness, (I’m Canadian, not used to it); I’ve finally decided that I don’t care. Dora Saint’s wonderful descriptions of the country, and her rather lyrical writing style are so peace-inducing, that I swear they’re making me more relaxed. I think she’s quite right, that you do have to retreat from the world, and she’s given us a way to do it.
In fact, I am sure that the *act of reading* is like a massage for the mind, and this really is a good way to go, into Dora’s world.
I find the “Miss Read” books very relaxing and they are a gentle antidote to depression too. Pure escapism into a charming world.
I absolutely love miss reads books ,I have every one of both fair acre and thrush green and read them over and over again .I didn’t know that a real village in cotswolds was the inspiration for thrush green so I will visit there in the spring ! The books are magical
I moved from England to America as a teenager but my heart is still there,
Miss Reed books are a way to go back and remember what I miss .
They are so beautifully descriptive of life in a country village at a more
gentle time. I am 77 and live alone, her books are so peaceful and help me to relax and go to sleep at night, a gift I will always enjoy
I started reading Miss Read books over 35 years ago. I have bought all of her books bar a few of her children’s books and have read them all several times. I’ve just started again reading all of them in order. They are a balm to the soul.
I was lucky enough to write to Dora Saint 35 years ago and she wrote a charming letter in return. I only wish I’d had the chance to meet her. I’ve visited the villages on which she based her books in 2012 but times have changed and although they’re beautiful it didn’t feel quite right.
The books are set in times that moved at a gentler pace – the era in which I grew up – no mobile phones, no computers – less stress.
I can’t thank Dora Saint enough for all the years of pleasure her books have given me.
Hello. I’m an old boy that collected Miss Read books in fine first editions until I had them all! Dora Saint very kindly signed them all for me at verious events and I’ve enjoyed reading them for 40 years.
However we’re downsizing in my old age and I now wish to pass ownership to others that admire her work.
If anyone would like a list of what I have please email me at joandeve.puttick@gmail.com. Thank you.