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I wasn't all that impressed by the first in the series, 'The Other Side of the Dale'. I was a little surprised it would be compared with James Herriot's stories of life as a vet. But I enjoyed the second one more. Having just finished the third one today, I think it's my favourite so far. The author has definitely got into a good style, telling a complete story rather than simply giving individual anecdotes.
There are the same interesting mixture of adult characters as in the previous books. Presumably they are either real or very close to life. There is a fascinating mixture of children, too. The portrayal of the wide variety of schools in his patch sounds very believable - from the hard-working, inspiring grammar school to the struggling comprehensive in an impoverished catchment area.
Anyone wanting to know what typical British schools are like - albeit from the point of view of someone who believes absolutely in state education - would probably find these enlightening and interesting as well as very amusing in places.
Recommended.
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