The Other Side of the Dale
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Amusing and serendipitous memories of Gervase Phinn's first year as County Inspector of Schools in North Yorkshire. The children he meets seem to be little adults, full of the language and prudence of their mostly land-worker parents; able to hold their own on the finer points of animal husbandry and farm management. "Don't yer know yer sheep then?" asks a serious little boy, aged six, whose reading aloud is perfect but whose interest is more in identifying the breed of sheep in the accompanying illustration, which leads to a serious classroom discussion.
Gervase Phinn meets head teachers, checks school curriculums, selects an unpopular winner in a poetry competition, and gains confidence of the shyest and the most stubborn with innate diplomacy. He graciously accepts endless inaccuracies in the spelling and pronunciation of his name--"he's called Mr Grim and he's a spectre"--becomes much sought-after and admired by the county's matrons, and his heart is set a'flutter by a pretty, unmarried headmistress with whom he longs to be more intimately acquainted.
A good-natured, entertaining storyteller obviously committed to his calling, Mr Phinn's occasional inaccuracy in rendition in no way detracts from his warm and enjoyable reading. --Running time approx 3 hours --Lynn Took --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
This is a warm, funny and mostly true account of the first year that Gervase Phinn spent as a schools' inspector in North Yorkshire. His brilliantly portrayed cast includes his fellow inspectors who range from endearing to eccentric, sporting lords of the manor, Ministry bigwigs, formidable teaching nuns and a very attractive head-teacher who happens to be single, adding up to an enchanting montage of experiences. But it is the children themselves who steal the show, whether fresh-faced from the farms or worldly-wise from the towns. Gervase Phinn is a born raconteur who has transferred his talents to the written word with outstanding success.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book the first from School Inspector Gervase Phinn is a must for those who want a read that that urges you to turn the pages to see what happens next. Having read this book after my girlfriend, I can see now how she managed to go through it in a week. Gervase is a compeling story teller and, shows all to often how children can supprise us all in what they know and do. The only negative is that it ends to soon, so I recomend that you order all four and just go for it.
Brilliant, Gervase has created work that make reading a joy.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was inspired by Gervase Phinn after hearing him speak at a newly qualified teacher's conference. This book only slightly captures his natural energy and talents as a speaker although I still found his written word humorous and full of the funny anecdotes that dominated his lecture. The content of this book will appeal to those in education, although I felt that it did not wholly capture the realism surrounding school inspections, particularly reactions of teaching staff to the arrival of a school inspector. (I'm referring here to the warm welcomes and the open invitations to return littered throughout the text!). However, Phinn's obvious and natural love of children is wonderful and he does have a natural story telling manner. Despite this, I was left feeling disappointed by the abrupt ending which leaves the loose ends of the story far from tied!
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved this book - my mum had read it first and raved on about it - she was right. I work in Education in an FE college, but the people encountered in this book are everywhere not just in schools. The descriptions of people, places and situations were so vivid that it was like being there with the author. Can't praise it enough and am going to order "Over Hill and Dale"
Absolutely Brilliant!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Up to Standard
Excellent book - in keeping with other Gervase Phinn i have read. Amusing yet sometimes touching. Well recommended for an easy read.
Published 1 month ago by tweena
A really enjoyable tale
I recently saw Gervase speak about his new book, 'A Village School' and thought I'd like to read his Dales series. This is the first in a series of five books. Read more
Published 10 months ago by C. Rucroft
Another Feel Good Listen
Yet again Gervase Phinn has produced another charming and humurous audio cd - The Other Side of the Dale. Read more
Published 14 months ago by tina
great characters
another really fun book. loved the characters the main man met along the way, the wierd and the wonderful. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Chris Miller
In the spirit of James Herriott
I highly enjoyed this gentle selection of anecdotes about Gervase Phinn's experiences in his first year as a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. Read more
Published 23 months ago by A. L. Rutter
A great read at a super price
This is a great book - a story written from the heart of a man who used to be a schools inspector for the Yorkshire area and all the comedy and hilarity that ensues from his line... Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2010 by Darren Green
OK but forgetable
An account of his life as a school inspector. It plods along slowly nothing much happens that would surprise or shock as its just the funny bits of his career. Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2009 by Dr Phibes
Gervase Phinn: the other side of the dale.
I bought this on behalf of my 18yr old grandson whose cassete version had broken. He is very pleased with the CD version.
Published on 10 Mar 2009 by G. M. Wilkinson
I have come to Uk to see Yorkshir
I read the book while i was studying at law school at University of Peshawar. it is really a great book. it helps one learn to enjoy every samll bit of life. Read more
Published on 29 May 2008 by Suleman Suleman
Out of the mouths of babes
I can wholeheartedly recommend all the five "Dales" books. I discovered Gervase Phinn after my mother who is a deputy head gave me the third book as a present. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2008 by Bookworm
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