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vorpalblad's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet book that, like the blurb on the jacket, did remind me of James Herriott. Still seemed to be a bit smug and his stories of all the brilliant children made me wonder where he worked. I've worked with kids, and people in general. I would say the stories are selective towards the positive.
margaret21's review against another edition
4.0
A light, entertaining read, perfect for the holiday suitcase. Gervase Phinn takes on the role of school inspector, and spends much of his working life travelling round the Dales, meeting a range of entertaining characters and engaging pupils. A sweetly nostalgic book bringing rural Yorkshire life alive in a way that's reminiscent of James Herriot's stories.
rangerwing75's review
5.0
So cute and so funny. Many moments of laughing at the crazy year this man goes through. The people he meets are so vibrant and teeming with personality that are transferred immaculately to the pages.
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
So very mild that you almost don't notice you're reading it. Picked up in the Puka Park hotel in Pauanui, left in the Auckland airport for some gentle soul to find and enjoy.
jamie_o's review against another edition
4.0
Gervase Phinn is kind of like the James Herriot of the education field. But sorry Gervase, James is my fave.
Phinn is a talented author and the book chronicles his first year as an English-Drama school inspector in North Yorkshire. He expressively and lovingly describes the beauty of the Yorkshire dales, much in the same manner as Herriot. Most amusingly, people are always misspelling, mispronouncing, and commenting on the oddness of his name:
-"I didn't imagine that you'd look as you do. Your name sort of conjures up a very different picture. I imagined you'd be sort of French looking - dark and swarthy with an accent."
-'Would you mind pronouncing it again?' I said. 'I rather like the way you say it.' 'Ggggervez,' she repeated in a most seductive voice. Then she added, 'It ees the name of a yoghurt.'
-'Is it? I was told your name was Gerald Chinn. I thought you must be some Eastern poet. I was looking all over for a Chinaman.'
Phinn's charming stories often end on a humorous note and demonstrate his keen insight. And his conversations with often blunt/honest children are just plain adorable.
I'll certainly read more books in this series.
Phinn is a talented author and the book chronicles his first year as an English-Drama school inspector in North Yorkshire. He expressively and lovingly describes the beauty of the Yorkshire dales, much in the same manner as Herriot. Most amusingly, people are always misspelling, mispronouncing, and commenting on the oddness of his name:
-"I didn't imagine that you'd look as you do. Your name sort of conjures up a very different picture. I imagined you'd be sort of French looking - dark and swarthy with an accent."
-'Would you mind pronouncing it again?' I said. 'I rather like the way you say it.' 'Ggggervez,' she repeated in a most seductive voice. Then she added, 'It ees the name of a yoghurt.'
-'Is it? I was told your name was Gerald Chinn. I thought you must be some Eastern poet. I was looking all over for a Chinaman.'
Phinn's charming stories often end on a humorous note and demonstrate his keen insight. And his conversations with often blunt/honest children are just plain adorable.
I'll certainly read more books in this series.
100onbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it!
Recommended to me by my good friend A. Ikawah, it was a pleasure. Yorkshire has been a delight since I met Herriot & education is a long-held passion. Together, magic.
Recommended to me by my good friend A. Ikawah, it was a pleasure. Yorkshire has been a delight since I met Herriot & education is a long-held passion. Together, magic.
pradhyumnan's review against another edition
5.0
The Other Side of the Dale is a heartwarming and lighthearted book that never failed to make me smile with every one of its pages. As a predominant fantasy reader, I found the Yorkshire County as described by Gervase Phinn more magical than any fantastical lands I've been immersed in yet. The book makes me want to visit the Dales and meet all these people; it is still surreal to think all the characters are based off of real people.
Thanks to my lovely girlfriend for the recommendation. The book may be hard to understand for kids unfamiliar with the dialect, but I'd encourage everyone to read this delightful book.
Thanks to my lovely girlfriend for the recommendation. The book may be hard to understand for kids unfamiliar with the dialect, but I'd encourage everyone to read this delightful book.