- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: St Martins Pr; Reprint edition (July 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312110944
- ISBN-13: 978-0312110949
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,687,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
In the mining village of Padmore, years after the death of local school teacher, Miss Roper, a question mark hangs over her head: who was she, who was the father to whom she devoted herself, and was her friendship with the Italians in the local POW camp allit seemed?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Shades of Miss Jean Brodie! Again World War II. Not Scotland this time, but Padmore, a tiny English village where poverty is rife. Kay Roper came, saw and conquered - she a teacher with no regard for convention, makeup (the war paint) liberally applied, she totally a law unto herself. She is killed in a road accident. (Do not worry. This is no spoiler. It happens in the very first paragraph.) The book comprises memories from three of those whose lives she so enhanced: devoted pupil Janet Haycock, headmistress Ivy Chaplin, neighbour Patrick Harper.
The offputting cover does not do the book justice. The novel itself is full of mischievous humour, many delights, and proves at times almost unbearably moving. One warms immensely to a teacher who, at the end of each day, shakes every child by the hand as they leave, who so opens their eyes and encourages them fully to appreciate. For example, a history lesson on Nelson is jettisoned - replaced by a tribute to others of real worth: none other than their own mums - overworked, exhausted, struggling to cope. That evening she arranges that each of those mothers is presented with an apple before they set off on another ten hour shift. She even breeds rabbits to ensure fresh food is at hand when visiting the sick.
Saint she is not (just ask highly disapproving Dep. Head Mrs. Pickett). Behind the facade is one truly vulnerable. Here is a superb central character. Prepare throughout for surprises - and for a very real shock.
Warming, witty and delightful - a book with heart.
The offputting cover does not do the book justice. The novel itself is full of mischievous humour, many delights, and proves at times almost unbearably moving. One warms immensely to a teacher who, at the end of each day, shakes every child by the hand as they leave, who so opens their eyes and encourages them fully to appreciate. For example, a history lesson on Nelson is jettisoned - replaced by a tribute to others of real worth: none other than their own mums - overworked, exhausted, struggling to cope. That evening she arranges that each of those mothers is presented with an apple before they set off on another ten hour shift. She even breeds rabbits to ensure fresh food is at hand when visiting the sick.
Saint she is not (just ask highly disapproving Dep. Head Mrs. Pickett). Behind the facade is one truly vulnerable. Here is a superb central character. Prepare throughout for surprises - and for a very real shock.
Warming, witty and delightful - a book with heart.
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