Over the year I collected a few winter/Christmas themed books to read in December, in an effort to make me feel a bit more festive. Winter in Thrush Green by Miss Read is the first one that I read. It was first published in 1961.
The book actually begins in Autumn, it’s an early Autumn in Thrush Green but the local weather sages are predicting a hard winter ahead. Mainly though the villagers are interested in an empty house which has been up for sale for a while, when a SOLD sign appears on it there’s a lot of speculation as to who their new neighbour will be.
It turns out that their new neighbour Harold Shoosmith ends up throwing himself into the community. He had lived most of his life in a part of Africa which had had a Victorian missionary who had been born in Thrush Green. Harold had always intended to retire to his hero’s birthplace, with a view to putting up a memorial to him.
This was as you would expect from Miss Read – a gentle but entertaining tale, but if you have ever lived in a smallish community I’m sure you’ll recognise some of the chracters and situations, I found that quite amusing. I recognised quite a few of the locals here and there’s been a fairly recent rash of ‘blue plaques’ to people who nobody knew a thing about and wouldn’t even have been famous in their heyday!
The book is illustrated by J.S. Goodall.
I tried to read the first book fairly recently but the pace was too slow for me. However, I certainly identify with the curiosity when a neighborhood house is for sale. I think I am usually more interested in seeing the interior of the house if there is an Open House than in who moves in, but I think if I had children, I’d be looking for congenial families.
Speaking of which, I hope you get some quality time with your granddaughter at Christmas.
Constance,
I think just about the most popular ‘hobby’ here is looking online at houses for sale. Any I look at though seem so empty compared with our place, they must have de-cluttered a lot. The estate agents like everything to look anonymous and that means no books! When we sold our last house they managed to take photos of the rooms showing no books at all, and there were books all over the place, they hate books.
We won’t be with the Isobel part of the family for Christmas day as they will be in Wales this year – shame. They won’t be there that long though.
I love all the Miss Read books. Thanks for the reminder.
aline,
There are a lot of them to read, she was quite prolific. Sometimes a gentle comfort read is just what you need.
Thanks for reminding me of this seasonal read, although I love Miss Read no matter the season. I recently bought a second hand copy of Winter in Thrush Green which I had forgotten about and will plan on reading it soon!
Paula,
I hope you enjoy it. I wonder if you will recognise any of the characters and situations – as I did!