I have been thoroughly enjoying reading my way through the Miss Read Thrush Green series as part of a monthly hashtag project called #missreadalong organised by @bookmusings and @bagfullofbooks over on Instagram.
After the battles and disputes in the previous instalment Battles at Thrush Green, it was good to see harmony mostly restored as we were reacquainted with many of the familiar residents of Thrush Green, whilst getting to know some of the new ones a little better.
It will come as no surprise, that during this book we see lots of characters returning to Thrush Green. Some of these we know well such as Ben and Molly Curdle, who decide to settle in Thrush Green as their life with the fair draws to a close. Also, the somewhat brash Nelly, who decides to try her luck with Albert Pigott again, having realised the Oil man for whom she had left him, did not quite live up to expectations.
By bringing characters such as Mr and Mrs Basset and Isobel to Thrush Green, whom have only played a tiny part in previous books, Miss Read is not only introducing a whole new set of characters to enjoy, but a whole new set of relationships and situations. This is a wonderful technique for weaving previous threads of stories together and bringing them to the fore.
As always, friendship is a prominent theme. I’ve written before about how much I have enjoyed the friendship between Harold and the Rector. In this book I adored the growing friendship between the Headmistress Miss Watson and her faithful assistant Miss Fogerty. I have been troubled before about the lack of joy in Miss Fogerty’s life, so it was lovely to see this new aspect of her character and her life developing as she becomes a more permanent resident of Thrush Green.
There is a bond and attitude of shared care which means the residents of Thrush Green mourn and celebrate collectively. This is shown in the reaction to Robert Bassets health set backs.
“The inhabitants of Thrush Green were united in their sadness when the news broke”
Nature and the weather is as important as ever in Miss Reads writing. The relentlessly hot summer in Thrush Green struck a particular cord, as here in London we are experiencing much of the same!
“The hot weather continued, one blazing day following the other. Harold Shoosmith reverted to his practice of taking a siesta, as he had throughout his working life overseas, and most of Thrush Green did the same. The nights seemed to be as hot as the days, and when the full moon shone through Harold’s window, he flung off the sheet which was his only covering, and wandered about the house. A field of corn stretched towards Nidden, and ran hard by his boundary hedge. He leant from the window, relishing a faint breeze that ruffled his hair refreshingly. In the moonlight the corn was silvered, glowing with an unearthly sheen. In the heat of the day, he had heard the ripe ears crackling under the fierce sun”
There is always much to make me smile in Thrush Green books and as a previous district nurse, I have to admit to a particular chuckle when Molly threatened Albert with the District nurse. It was only this threat which kept her “irascible patient in some sort of submission”! I’m not sure I had that effect on any of the patients I cared for….
You can find reviews of the other books in the Thrush Green series here.
