The Market Square by Miss Read (Dora Saint) was first published in 1966, I’ve read a few books by the author in the past and enjoyed them, but no matter who had written this book I think I would have bought it, just for the charming cover. It’s the first in a two book series called The Caxley Chronicles.
This one is a lovely old-fashioned nostalgic read which revolves around the Market Square of the town of Caxley and two families who live there, the Howards and the Norths. They both have their businesses and homes on the Market Square and are friends, with Mr Howard helping Mr North financially to begin with, and everything is hunky dory. But there are ups and downs for them all over the years. However, as their children grow up and romance seems to be in the air Mr Howard is less than happy about it, unlike the Norths.
The story begins with the inhabitants of Caxley thrilled to be organising the celebrations for the Coronation of King Edward the Seventh and continues on to the First World War and then on into the 1930s.
The book’s endpapers are lovely too.
I’ll have to resort to the internet to get the next Caxley book as I’m not hopeful of finding it in a second-hand bookshop, as I did this one.
This was one of my 20 Books of Summer.
This sounds like a very good book, and a very lovely edition too. I have Village School by Miss Read and still have not read it.
tracybham,
Her books are light entertainment I suppose, but the characters and situations are so true to life I think.
I have been a fan of Miss Read books since sometime in the 80’s when I discovered them at my local library. I didn’t know anything about them at the time, but I have read them all and managed to find a few at used books sales that I appreciate owning. I remember reading the Caxley Chronicles, but I’m not sure about The Market Square…will have to see if I can find that one. Your copy has a delightful cover.
I even have a few of her books on cassette tapes!
Paula,
I think that the Caxley Chronicles is an omnibus which includes The Market Square. The Caxley books are The Market Square, The Howards of Caxley and Christmas at Caxley – I think. I read some of her books when I worked in libraries yonks ago, they were the sort of books deemed to be safe to give to a maiden aunt! But they are good comfort reads.
Katrina,
This one sounds absolutely lovely! I’m taking note, though some of her books are hard to find around here these days. It does sound so nostalgic, which can be so much fun to hunker down with a cup of tea.
Judith,
It was a good escape from the news!
Oh, lord! Isn’t that the truth? Have you seen our news lately? And I know yours has been equally ghastly, depending on your point of view!
Judith,
Sometimes I have to think think about whether I want to watch the news but I usually end up watching it, despite the fact that it just seems to get worse and worse!