A Wayne in a Manger (by Gervase Phinn)

(Amazon UK link)

I’ve enjoyed reading the pseudo-biographical books by Gervase Phinn, in a low-key way, over the years. They’re the kind of books often found second hand, and I’ve managed to pick up several of them. My most recent acquisition is one dubbed ‘Hilarious and hair-raising’ by the Sunday Times on the front of the cover. In almost new condition, it cost me less than a euro at the local thrift store.

I decided to read ‘A Wayne in a Manger’ on a very hot Sunday when I wanted to sit in the air conditioning and do as little as possible. The irony of it being about Christmas anecdotes in Yorkshire had not escaped me.

It’s a small volume and I hoped for a bit of lighthearted entertainment. It turns out that much of the book contains stories or anecdotes that have already been used in some of the author’s other books, although they have been somewhat embellished, and (in my view) few of them were memorable enough for me to have remembered them. 

Indeed, the only one that felt familiar was the opening story about a rather hapless Vicar trying to tell the nativity story to a class of small and enthusiastic children. The punch-line was unfortunately foreshadowed in the title of the book, so lost its punch entirely, but it was still a pleasant read.

Other stories, each one only a few page long, detail events in the Christmas period, or describe classroom nativity plays. Mistakes, misunderstandings and general cuteness feature prominently. I don’t think I laughed aloud anywhere. ‘Hilarious’ is rather an exaggeration, but I was mildly amused. I very much appreciated the glimpses into environments which are mostly unfamiliar to me outside the pages of this author’s books.

It was a quick read; at less than 150 pages I completed it in about an hour, and it certainly fulfilled the requirement of being light and - in some measure - entertaining.

Recommended in a low-key way if you can pick it up inexpensively, and like reading anecdotes about small children at Christmas. But I wouldn’t suggest paying full price for it, other than perhaps as a gift.

Review copyright 2016 Sue's Book Reviews

Head over Heels in the Dales (by Gervase Phinn)

(Amazon UK link)

'Head over Heels in the Dales' is the third in Gervase Phinn's autobiographical account of life as a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales.

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.

Over Hill and Dale (by Gervase Phinn)

(Amazon UK link)

'Over Hill and Dale' is the second autobiographical book by Gervase Phinn. He recounts anecdotes from his days as a school inspector in Yorkshire. I found the first book, 'The Other Side of the Dale', a little stilted. But I enjoyed this one a lot more.

In the mixture of memoir and fiction, this series is a little like James Herriot's books about being a vet. Each chapter is complete in itself, but there are also ongoing friendships and characters who recur. By the end of this book I had quite a clear picture in my mind about some of them, and am eager to read the other two sequels.

There's light humour at times, particularly in the innocence or earthiness of some of the children. Yet it's written without a hint of condescension. The author often comes across as one who asked a stupid question, or an ignoramus knowing little about country and farming life.

There is criticism of some of the teachers, and old-fashioned styles of education which the author comes across. But even these are shown in context: sometimes schools were battling against prejudice, against children who hadn't any wish to learn anything, or parents who had no time to encourage their children at home. In general, though, the teachers are commended, and the schools shown as happy places for most of the children.

There are some very moving parts of the book too. By the time I was two-thirds of the way through it was difficult to put down, and I was sorry to reach the end.

Definitely recommended to anyone who knows anything about education and schools in the UK, or who would like to know more about them.

The other side of the Dale (by Gervase Phinn)

(Amazon UK link)

Several people have recommended Gervase Phinn's books to me. But it took a while to get around to reading one of his books.

'The Other Side of the Dale' is a semi-biographical account of a school inspector in Yorkshire. The author was advertised as 'The James Herriot of schools', which sounded very appealing to me. I love the Herriot books, and I was involved as a volunteer in my sons' primary school some years ago while they underwent OFSTED inspection. So I thought the combination could make an excellent read.

The author, who was a teacher until 1984, and later on a school inspector for English and Drama in Yorkshire, tells the story of his interview and appointment to the inspector's job. He also describes his initial visits to various schools in his district. Rather like James Herriot's books, it's hard to know what is true biography and what is an embellished anecdote for the sake of effect. I assume that names and exact locations have been changed, for legal reasons, but this isn't actually stated.

Gervase Phinn himself, who speaks in the first person throughout, comes across as a likeable chap who begins his new job with an idealistic view of how he can help all the struggling local schools. He gets along with people on the whole, sometimes by using learned techniques, and has a good sense of humour, sometimes portraying himself as looking rather foolish. I found myself warming to him in the early chapters, and generally enjoying his style.

Unfortunately - and this is where the book does part company from James Herriot's - most of the other characters are rather flat. Not that he doesn't give good descriptions, and excellent dialogue: Gervase Phinn is a great writer, and includes plenty of wry observation on the people he meets. It's just that most of the other characters have such small roles in the book that I didn't feel I could get to know them properly.

Each time I picked up this book and read another chapter, I enjoyed it. The insights into the school system, Gervase's growing awareness of all the things he didn't know, and his gradual adaptation to a scenario that had been far from his previous experience, are all very interesting. The book is certainly well-written in a readable style, with just the right amount of humour for my tastes. The children seem realistic, and he recounts several amusing or heart-warming incidents, where he is usually the one learning something new from the children rather than the reverse.

However, I never found myself inspired to read more than one chapter at a time, and whereas I can usually read an average-length novel in a weekend, it took me three weeks to get around to finishing this. It read like a collection of individual short stories rather than a biographical account. Had it focussed on just two or three schools, in more depth, I would probably have enjoyed it more, since character development is important to me in a book.

Still, on the whole I thought it was an amusing light read, and I look forward to reading the sequels one day - although I probably won't buy them new.