The Heart of the Dales

By: Gervase Phinn

Narrated by: Gevase Phinn

Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Gervase Phinn’s colourful characters have now become firm favourites – the mostly mad staff at County Hall and the children themselves, who find ways of embarrassing the school inspectors with innocent ease. We reconvene with Christine Bentley, head teacher of Winnery Nook School and now Gervase’s wife and mother of their son; the well-named Mrs Savage and not forgetting the Queen of the Clean – Connie. Phinn’s latest instalment to the Dale Series is heartwarming, wry and delightful.

©2007 Gervase Phinn (P)2007 Isis Publishing Ltd

Nostalgia!

As a teacher in Doncaster in the 70s and 80s, I fought against buying this book for a long time (as I didn't have a lot of time for school inspectors), but I am so glad I succumbed. I related to so many of the school stories and his narration and his Yorkshire accent make Gervase's books a delight for me, a proud Yorkshire lass, and bring back memories of the happy years I spent in teaching. There are many laugh out loud moments and memorable characters, especially Mrs B and Mrs Savage, the fellow inspectors and, of course, the forthright and direct children from whom nothing can be hid.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Excellent

As always a great read, read by the author. Laugh out loud moments. Love these books.

funny and entertaining as always

I love all of these books and the delivery is brilliant, as good as when we have seen Gervase perform live. Well worth a listen, it all rings true, as I also work in a primary school. Great to hear inspectors can be human too!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book.as usual it's funny thoughtful caring and just jolly good listen

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not funny or nice

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

No one I know

Has The Heart of the Dales put you off other books in this genre?

Yes

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Heart of the Dales?

All the negative criticism of people and character assassination.

Any additional comments?

Very disappointed with this book. Very little about the children and the funny things they say and do. Most of the book is filled with very derogatory descriptions of people he met through his work. Mr Phinn says in the book that it is wrong to bully children. Well it is very wrong to criticise and describe people's appearance and personality traits in such a rude and aggressive way. One lady, he performs a complete character assassination on. That is not clever, nor is it funny. And is a shocking example to children.

1 of 14 people found this review helpful