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.
hannah_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Bloody gorgeous. Laughed more times than I could count. Never have I been proud to be Yorkshire lass.
Shout out to the lad who said "Miss, it's cold enough to freeze t' flippers off a penguin this morning" in a '90s school inspection because that's my new favourite phrase.
Shout out to the lad who said "Miss, it's cold enough to freeze t' flippers off a penguin this morning" in a '90s school inspection because that's my new favourite phrase.
spacebornfew's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
canadianbookworm's review
3.0
I've had this on my shelf for a while, but it was a quick read once I got started. Phinn writes about his experience as a school inspector in Yorkshire. This book begins with Phinn's interview for the inspection position, and continues through the first few months of his job.
His work requires travel, diplomacy, and sometimes physical exertion. There is a lot of humour, a great deal of insight, and lots of good stories.
Phinn clearly loves his job, and enjoys the variety of interactions his job entails. I found this book a feel-good one, with a positive outlook. I am looking forward to the books that follow this one.
His work requires travel, diplomacy, and sometimes physical exertion. There is a lot of humour, a great deal of insight, and lots of good stories.
Phinn clearly loves his job, and enjoys the variety of interactions his job entails. I found this book a feel-good one, with a positive outlook. I am looking forward to the books that follow this one.
sandyd's review
4.0
A book I saw in "The Common Reader" catalog and then made my library get through inter-library loan.
Imagine a cross between James Herriot & that Mitford series by Jan Karon - this is the story of an "Inspector of Schools" in Yorkshire. There are lots of "cute things kids say" in it, and some interesting descriptions of the area. Not too much drama or excitement, but I don't always want that (or heartbreak) in my books.
Here's an excerpt I liked (a yow is a female sheep, btw, and its one of the schoolkids talking):
"Its a word which describes a yow when she's heavy pregnant, so heavy you see, she falls over on her back and just can't move, she's helpless. Sticks her legs in t'air and just can't shift. It's called 'rigged', proper word is 'riggwelted'. Me dad comes in from t'fields and flops on t'settee and says, 'I'm fair riggwelted'."
Imagine a cross between James Herriot & that Mitford series by Jan Karon - this is the story of an "Inspector of Schools" in Yorkshire. There are lots of "cute things kids say" in it, and some interesting descriptions of the area. Not too much drama or excitement, but I don't always want that (or heartbreak) in my books.
Here's an excerpt I liked (a yow is a female sheep, btw, and its one of the schoolkids talking):
"Its a word which describes a yow when she's heavy pregnant, so heavy you see, she falls over on her back and just can't move, she's helpless. Sticks her legs in t'air and just can't shift. It's called 'rigged', proper word is 'riggwelted'. Me dad comes in from t'fields and flops on t'settee and says, 'I'm fair riggwelted'."