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A review by crazygoangirl
Thrush Green by Miss Read
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I own and have read Celebrations at Thrush Green several years ago but I must confess that I don’t remember it at all. Reading Thrush Green, the first book in the series however has left a lasting impression. Perhaps it’s as simple as the right book at the right time.
Thrush Green is set in a village by that name in the Cotswolds and follows the lives of a set of characters during the course of one day - the first of May - when the entire village is joyfully anticipating the traditional annual Fair. Read divides the narrative into three parts - Morning, Afternoon & Evening, and we follow our characters as events unfold throughout the day. We meet troubled Ruth who is babysitting her convalescent 6-yr-old nephew Paul; Mrs. Curdle - imposing and just matriarch, and owner of the Fair and her hardworking grandson Ben; Molly Piggott and her ne’er do well father; flamboyant Ella Bembridge and her dimunitive companion Dimity Dean; and Dr. Bailey, his wife and Dr. Lovell.
Read’s prose is wonderfully succinct, comforting and descriptive, especially her descriptions of Nature and the countryside. Her characters seem deceptively simple but are well rounded and layered. They feel true to life as they go gently about their daily routines, taking life’s little joys in their stride and coping with its challenges as best they can. The gentle humour and observations sprinkled throughout the narrative were like a soothing balm to my soul.
This is a book to calm troubled minds and assuage broken hearts. It rekindles hope and confidence in the inherent goodness of humanity and our ability to overcome obstacles- big and small. It is emotional, funny and intensely cosy while tackling universally serious themes of love, grief, friendship and compromise. Another one that gave me all the feels and reiterated the fact that good literature needn’t be heavy or pretentious. A wonderfully narrated story about ordinary people trying their best to live life to the best of their ability will do it every time 😊
I look forward to reading the entire series. Heart-warming and highly recommended!
Thrush Green is set in a village by that name in the Cotswolds and follows the lives of a set of characters during the course of one day - the first of May - when the entire village is joyfully anticipating the traditional annual Fair. Read divides the narrative into three parts - Morning, Afternoon & Evening, and we follow our characters as events unfold throughout the day. We meet troubled Ruth who is babysitting her convalescent 6-yr-old nephew Paul; Mrs. Curdle - imposing and just matriarch, and owner of the Fair and her hardworking grandson Ben; Molly Piggott and her ne’er do well father; flamboyant Ella Bembridge and her dimunitive companion Dimity Dean; and Dr. Bailey, his wife and Dr. Lovell.
Read’s prose is wonderfully succinct, comforting and descriptive, especially her descriptions of Nature and the countryside. Her characters seem deceptively simple but are well rounded and layered. They feel true to life as they go gently about their daily routines, taking life’s little joys in their stride and coping with its challenges as best they can. The gentle humour and observations sprinkled throughout the narrative were like a soothing balm to my soul.
This is a book to calm troubled minds and assuage broken hearts. It rekindles hope and confidence in the inherent goodness of humanity and our ability to overcome obstacles- big and small. It is emotional, funny and intensely cosy while tackling universally serious themes of love, grief, friendship and compromise. Another one that gave me all the feels and reiterated the fact that good literature needn’t be heavy or pretentious. A wonderfully narrated story about ordinary people trying their best to live life to the best of their ability will do it every time 😊
I look forward to reading the entire series. Heart-warming and highly recommended!