FAREWELL TO FAIRACRE

Many readers cannot do justice to Miss Read's enchanting books; happily Sîan Phillips is the exception. Her presentation fits all the Fairacre characters perfectly. The village has its share of types, from the vicar, to the ungrammatical school children, to grumpy Mrs. Pringle. Each character is fittingly presented, and many become recognizable. Miss Read excels at description and dialogue, which the narrator aptly handles. The title suggests pathos, which Phillips handles with sparkle, rather than tears. Anyone who enjoys reading about people and their foibles will fall in love with Miss Read. S.G.B. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT 95]