Quiet. Amusing. Quirky.
I enjoyed every moment I spent in the village and all the stories that were told. Like this excerpt about a child's view of their old, odd neighbor (didn't we all have this situation when we were kids?):
It was at this stage of Lucy's decline that young Bob Willet became convinced that she was, without any doubt, a witch. He had said as much to his brother Sidney as they walked home from school one summer's day. Mr. Hope had read them a Russian folk tale with a description of Baba Yaga, the witch, which seemed to young Bob a faithful portrait of Lucy Kelly, who lived so perilously near them.
It took me a couple of months to read this book; because it is essentially a collection of short stories, I would put it aside when I wanted to read something else. Nevertheless, when I was in the last chapter and Miss Read made a brief, poignant reference to a woman who appeared earlier in the book (in the funny, funny weight-reducing chapter), I remembered her and was touched by Miss Read's kindness. ( )

Over the Gate by Miss Read is the fifth book in her series of books that are set in Fairacre Village in the Cotswolds. This book consists of a number of short stories that various members of the community have passed on to Miss Read, head mistress of the village school.

The stories capture a wide variety of incidents, among them there is a sad ghost story about a man who lost his family in a terrible tragedy and also a lively and funny tale of rivalry and eventual sabotage of a Christmas Pudding during World War II days. Although the focus is on a number of different characters, there is still a strong connection to the school and Miss Read’s professional and private life.

Over the Gate is loaded with village charm and helps to move the series along as we learn about the lives of some of the village inhabitants and how they cooperate and help one another most of the time. I am always both delighted and soothed to read a book by this author although in this case I listened to an audio version as excellently read by Gwen Watford. ( )

This novel is set up as a series of stories, loosely linked by Miss Read's interactions with different members of the village. It is effective in providing a reason for her stay in Fairacre when there is a possibility that she might move on to a different school. ( )

Not destined to be my favorite Miss Read but pleasant, nonetheless. ( )

This book relies more on the casting back and relating historical tales from long-dead village residents rather than than following chronologically the earlier books. It's still a warm, delightful book but it's not, to my eyes, as engaging as the earlier ones. But I liked it a lot, even so. ( )