The Little Village School by Gervase Phinn

The Little Village School Reviews

• 
  Georgina Gowland

  Perhaps this book isn't to everyone's taste as it is very much in the mould of the Miss Read books which are now seen as old fashioned and rather whimsical. However, there are times when I just want a book that is familiar and cosy, a book that doesn't challenge me and when I start to read it transports me to a time and place that only ever existed in imagination. A perfect read for bedtime that will leave delightful images in your head as you drift off to sleep.
• 
  ©hrissie ❁ [1st week on campus-somewhat run-down]

  I stumbled upon this at the local book fair and I could hardly believe my luck! 🤩 After having very recently devoured my first of Gervase Phinn, I was craving for more, and there it was: the first book of The Little Village School series. How marvellous, to feel so drawn to such peculiarly amiable characters! And 'make no mistake', this wholly lived up to my expectations, so cosy, captivating, humorous and colourful all the way! 
  
  There is something about Yorkshire settings, that sense of community and triumph of the Village, that I find simply enthralling and irresistible. Coupled with Phinn's mastery in capturing the curiosities, simplicity yet vitality of village life - populated with a field of the most diverse, quirky, good-natured characters - this is a read that is bound to strike a chord with those somewhat nostalgic about their childhood school. You will meet headstrong and proud characters; those always with a wise word at the ready, having had their fair share of tragedy; others whose emotional turmoil and sense of loss will undergo a poignant transformation; hearts shyly opening up to a better life; and also those who surely cannot resist a piece of juicy gossip if their life depended on it (so pleasant to meet you again, Mrs Sloughthwaite! - I would certainly be circumspect when chatting with you at the village shop, as most characters learn to do early on in their acquaintance).
  
  Thank you, Gervase Phinn, for taking me on this heart-warming adventure at Barton-in-the-Dale! ♥️
• 
  Hannah

  3.5 Stars
  
  After a slow start, I'm pleased to say I persisted because by the end I really got into the characters and wanted to know what happened to them.
  
  Elisabeth Devine was a headteacher of a good inner city school and comes to a failing countryside school which is under threat of closure. No one can understand why. One reason could be she likes a challenge and she really does have her work cut out. The other reason is much more personal and as that story develops I'm really interested in it. Anyways a woman who wears red shoes with sliver heels to her interview is capable of anything, isn't she? I also like how the relationship between her and Dr Stirling (Michael) develops.
  
  Other characters I really enjoyed reading about were: Oscar, Danny and Les.
  
  I can't wait to read the next book of the series.
• 
  Elizabeth

  This was a perfect comfort read for me in the vein of Miss Read and Jan Karon’s Mitford novels. I love a good village novel and this was that in spades. Gervase Phinn has some utterly delightful children in his school as well. Even the biggest problem kid had an interesting arc. I had tears in my eyes several times at some moving scenes. I love reading about characters who try hard to do the right and kind thing. This novel abounded in such characters. And it was funny too! I laughed delightedly several times. I’m so glad this is a series. I wonder if he’s going to develop the previous head teacher’s character any more. There is a little bit of the good characters are very good and the bad characters are very bad here, but there was more nuance by the end of the story that made for more depth.
• 
  Shiloah

  What an enjoyable read this book is! If you want a cozy fiction read set in a small English village, this is your book. And it’s a series! It all started with a fabulous pair of red shoes. Read with a dear friend. We plan to read the whole series together. ❣️
• 
  Kelly Furniss

  4.5 stars ideally is what I would like to give this book :0).
  Right from the very start I was pulled in this story, probably because of the shocking red shoes! ha!.
  The author does a great job of setting the rural scene and the characterisation is brilliant with names that seem to suit the personalities perfectly.
  I enjoyed the humour, but also got very emotional with Dannys story and even felt sorry for Miss Sowerbutts at the very end so my emotions really went through the mill but sometimes you need a simple heart warming story to blub at!.
  The atmosphere of Yorkshire and the goings on in a small village and school is perfectly captured. And you can tell the author draws upon his experiences as a teacher and inspector to detail how a failing school is turned around.
  A wonderful engaging story, I can't wait to read on in the series as I feel I've got to know all these characters and I need to see just what Gervase Phinn has in store for them next!.
  
• 
  Sara Clifford-gray

  I loved this book!! I used to work in a school office but not in a village school, but I was interested to read it and I wasn't disappointed!!
  
  If you liked the Miss Read books then you will love this as it's just a more up to date version of using on Elisabeth Devine the new headmistress in school.
  
  You have all the usual characters that you would find in a village book, the gossip, the doctor and opinionated farmer which makes it sound like a really predictable read, which it probably was, but Gervase transported me from my home in Kent to the wonderful Yorkshire Dales.
  
  Really recommend this book.
• 
  Trace

  What a gem!! I loved every minute of this book. I listened to it on Audible and I think it's the only way to go with this title. The narrator made the characters come alive! He had me laughing, crying and all the feels in between. I can't wait to start the next one.
• 
  Elizabeth Dewfall

  Loved the story and the characters especially Danny and James can’t wait to get the next in the series
• 
  Elizabeth

  This is such a lovely book and I am so glad it is a series! It's a cozy, sweet, delightful story set in a modern yet timeless English village. I admire the main character so much! I just adore the children. I loved reading and discussing this with a dear friend!
• 
  Grace J Reviewerlady

  Looking for something different to read while enjoying a blog break, my fingers clicked on this book. What a lovely read!
  
  The village school in Barton-on-the-Dale is looking for a new head teacher; among the varied applicants is Elisabeth Devine who, by the way of her shoes, finds herself the subject of village gossip. Who ever heard of a school teacher wearing red shoes with silver heels? Surely she can't possibly be head teacher material?
  
  I'm not a great fan of tv soaps; I much prefer to find mine in a book or on the radio. This is an absolute joy to read, and a definite insight into the mind of a teacher who is in the right career. Well-constructed and deliciously enjoyable, this is a perfect holiday read. The characters are true to life and the author must have a keen eye to bring together such realistic and entertaining characters. I have so many favourites in this novel that I really couldn't pick one - to me they are all terrific! The village is reminiscent of all small communities around the country with residents from all walks of life. The only thing which could improve this book would be if it was part of a series so I'm delighted that there are more to come! Already on my wish list and I look forward to having the chance to slot them into my reading list.
  
  If you want an enjoyable, easy read which you can sink into without having to keep track of who's who and what's going on, then I would heartily recommend this one. I am excited to have received a book of this quality for free on kindle from Amazon.
• 
  Rhiannon Grant

  This book rests on caricatures of archetypes recognisable from Phinn's non-fiction writing. Some of them are funny - the Department of Education staff are clearly satirical. Some are annoying or upsetting - the depiction of a non-verbal autistic character manages to imply that all autistic people are non-verbal, accepts institutionalisation without question or even comment, and generally rests on lazy stereotypes. Others could cut either way - I sometimes found the over-tolerate vicar and his over-critical wife (and her terrible cooking) amusing, but at other times it grated. The writing is fine and I finished it but I won't be recommending it or picking up the next one in the series.
• 
  Juliana Graham

  I've read all of Gervase Phinn's other books for adults though those were autobiographical - this is his first work of adult fiction. I did enjoy this novel and found it very similar in style to his previous books - warm, funny and creating a lovely sense of community. It's refreshing to read something like this for a change from more cynical works! A little bit predictable, but that's fine! I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it comes out to find out what happens next for the characters and the little school.
• 
  Kath

  
  
  Three stars is generous but I like Gervase Phinn's books about his years as a school inspector and he comes across as very warm, kind and funny when he talks. This book however is predictable to the extreme, cliched and unimaginative. The teachers and pupils
  are cariactures and the whole story is like a Mills and Boon. Could do better Mr Phinn.
• 
  Laura Aston

  Loved this book! It was amazing, the setting of a small country village was so well thought of and made it really easy for the reader to imagine life. The characters (including their names) were hilarious. Having never read any of Phinn's books before I was surprised at how well I liked his writing style, will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
• 
  Emma Rose

  A lovely, simple and charming story, rather reminiscent of South Riding in its themes and very very influenced by Miss Read's books. A gentle pace and quaint, heartwarming characters made for a very moving read, especially this close to Christmas. I think his Dale series is a lot funnier (hence the four stars) but I look forward to reading the rest of the books.
• 
  Natalie

  A tad repetitive, but a nice easy read and quite sweet
• 
  Philip Howard

  I nearly gave it a 3 star. It's not as good as some of his others. It is a very straight forward story but I gave it 4 because it was a very pleasant read. It was nice to be with and I enjoyed it.
• 
  Malcolm Evans

  A great read. Phinn creates a very realistic world of the village school and the many people involved. A very insightful story about the life of the new headmistress and the many issues she faces, all true to life I image from the experiences of the writer. The story is a page turner, captivating, often humorous and at times quite sad. I was sad to reach the end and look forward to reading the subsequent books about life at the village school.
• 
  Joanna Warrens

  After reading a Chelsea Cain book (serial killer-gore)for my mystery group I needed the coziest book on my shelf and this was it. This is a darling book and I look forward to reading others in the series. I loved the Dale's series and am glad there is another series by Phinn. It reminded me very fondly of the Miss Read books.
• 
  Fi

  Very easy reading, but very, very enjoyable - more up to date than Miss Read, less silly than Agatha Raisin, a real treat of a book set in a small rural community; I'm so pleased to find that this is the first in a series of books featuring the school at Barton le Dale, & have already hotfooted it over to ebay to purchase the next two in the series. One happy reader :)
• 
  Trish Boese

  3* This was a slow-paced, calming book to read. Barton-in-the-Dale is a small town filled with small-town characters. Some characters are witty and brave, others are laughably stereotypical. Similar to Jan Karon and the Mitford series, this small town and its people found a place in my heart. Now I want to read the next few books in the series...
• 
  JennLynn

  Fairly predictable story of an enthusiastic teacher who turns a declining village school around. Gets a bit more depth to it around the middle of the book. A little verbose for my liking - the story could have been told in half the length without losing much.
• 
  Barbara

  I have to admit to liking this, though it's all a bit predictable. Elizabeth is a perfect woman and a perfect head-teacher in every respect, surrounded by more or less loveable eccentrics. A cosy read that doesn't challenge the brain-cells too much.
• 
  Mira

  Very cosy, twee book where everyone speaks properly and you know that good shall triumph.
• 
  Gwen

  A warm light hearted and often poignant novel. Maybe a bit predicatable sometimes but heartwarming and positive. Very enjoyable easy read.
• 
  Ross Mountney

  comfort reading!