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  • The Little Village School

  • By: Gervase Phinn
  • Narrated by: Gervase Phinn
  • Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (283 ratings)
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The Little Village School cover art

The Little Village School

By: Gervase Phinn
Narrated by: Gervase Phinn
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Summary

She was wearing red shoes! With silver heels! Elisabeth Devine causes quite a stir on her arrival in the village. No one can understand why the head of a big inner city school would want to come to sleepy little Barton-in-the-Dale, to a primary with more problems than school dinners. And that's not even counting the challenges the mysterious Elisabeth herself will face: a bitter former head teacher, a grumpy caretaker, and a duplicitous chair of governors, to name but a few. Then there's the gossip. After all, a woman who would wear red shoes to an interview is obviously capable of anything….

Warm, funny and poignant, Gervase Phinn's first novel for adults creates a fictional world that's as real as can be. It will delight all his fans, and win him many more.

©2011 Gervase Phinn (P)2011 Hodder & Stoughton

What listeners say about The Little Village School

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Gentle and enjoyable, but not riveting

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No, I would never presume to do such a thing.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was quite obvious where the story was going from quite early on, but this was no detriment to the story.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

Was The Little Village School worth the listening time?

Yes, I enjoyed the story and the characters, many of which can be found in any Yorkshire village (the gossips, the judgmental, the troublemaker etc.). It is a departure from Gervase's autobiographical books. Here he has entered the realms of fiction based on his school experiences and has produced a fully rounded story of village life centred on the new headmistress. We are slowly introduced to the character of Elizabeth through her sympathetic dealings with the village children in her charge, her relationship with the School Governors and Education officers, some of whom are for her and some against. Her own private reasons for moving to this small village school in the Yorkshire Dales from a prestigious city school are also revealed.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Little Village School

As always Gervase Phinn is EXCELLENT!!!! Brilliantly written & read! If you want a good laugh listen to this!!!!! Brilliant blunt Yorkshire humour!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A right grand story.

Gradly The story captures village life in Yorkshire. Mr Phinn is a treat to listen to.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An enjoyable 'read'

An excellent book and engaging storytelling by the wonderful Gervase Phinn. A funny insight into school life

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

fine if you want tips about being a headmistress

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If it was a story about the main characters with more feeling and less thinking, rather than about how to be a good teacher. Less time taken on explaining things. I felt like I might have exam on it later, rather than feeling that I had met real people.

What could Gervase Phinn have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

If it was written and read in a more adult style. I dont mean sexual intimacy, but more depth to the characters, less of a s t o r y about school-life. I was listening to a story about people rather than living it with them.

Would you be willing to try another one of Gervase Phinn’s performances?

No

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The imagery was vivid and the narrator did good character voices.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

classic gervase, heartwarming yorkshire tale

The little village school is gervase writing at his best. Yet another gervase phinn book which the whole family can enjoy. His simplistic style and amazing voice bring the book to life. My only criticism is that he has used some paragraphs eg. The bit about the crematorium from his autobiographies nearly word for word- saying that im gervase phinn obsessed so know his books nearly off by heart but if you didn't its no problem. My favourite author.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen. Loved every second of it!

From the opening sentence I was hooked. The great names of the characters, the life of a village and school and the heart warming tale of life, death and day to day school life.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful storyteller reading a heartwarming and delicious story.

A lovely story that lifts the heart. I laughed out loud at Gervase’s wonderful depictions and observance of the characters. I’ve lived and grown up in such a village. It’s wonderfully written and portrayed. I’ll definitely re-listen to this. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Gervase many years ago and he’s a lovely man. Thank you Gervase for the pleasure your books bring me. Joanne. T.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable.

My friend recommended Gervase Phinn books to me a little while ago and I have to say I’m so glad she did. These are just what I needed to carry me over this very strange Christmas and new year. They are laugh out loud funny and emotional in places too but they are overall feel good books and Gervase narrates them perfectly. Quite a deviation from my usual detective novels etc., but so entertaining. Can’t wait to start the next one 😊

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Brilliant story

Can’t wait to listen to another one! Makes my day go by quickly whilst I clean clients properties!!

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1 person found this helpful