Customer Reviews
It had me laughing out loud! - By: , 25 Oct 2003 
I came across this book by chance. Having grown up & been educated in the Yorkshire Dales, I am attracted to stories about this region. However it isn't necessary to have lived there to appreciate this book. It's not necessary either to have read the first two novels, I hadn't & it didn’t spoil anything, although having read this one I'd like to read the others now. Nor is it necessary to have an interest in schooling or education in general : it’s makes for a funny & touching read & I’m sure it would appeal to alll ages/alll readers. Phinn writes about his real life experiences as a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales with candour & warmth & the reader can picture him trying to suppress a smile as he faces the children & their daily schooling. I heartily recommend it!
Lift up your heart - By: , 13 Jun 2003 Having read his first two books with such pleasure, Gervase's beautifully descriptive narrative style just gets better & better. A Yorkshire village child, I feel that I know each of the people he meets & the places he visits. The gently funny & compelling writing of Head Over Heels in the Dales left me smiling, uplifted, & waiting impatiently for the next edition.
Further tales of life as a school inspector - By: , 26 Apr 2002 The third instalment of Gervase Phinn's narrative of his time as a school inspector is as welcome as the first two. In the first two volumes, we followed Gervase's meeting with Christine, & their courtship. In this book, they eventuallly get married, & set to renovating the derelict country cottage with its overgrown garden, in which they start their married life.
The real stars of the book, though, are the children, & it is clear that Gervase Phinn has a wonderful relationship with them, & a real affection for them. He must have been a fantastic teacher.
We also meet old friends from the previous books - the rest of the inspection team, Brenda Savage - the alarming PA who made a pass at Gervase in an earlier book - Julie (the inspectors' secretary) & Connie, who rules the Professional Centre with a rod of iron.
If you have read the other two books, you will love this one. If not, buy the paper back versions of the other two, & then enjoy this one.
Oh, & if you are a teacher, read this to remind yourself what life was like before OFSTED inspections!
Excellent, long-awaited read-in-a-week-book!! - By: , 17 Apr 2002 "Three Chairs for Gervase" (read it & you will realise I am not a poor speller!) Being a teacher I can relate to this even more & I think how much money could make writing a book of the great things children have said. Just one difference - I couldn't do it like Gervase. I feel like I know him & Christine, & the gang! They should have their own comedy show.
Don't hesitate to buy it!
Good things come to those who wait........ - By: , 08 Apr 2002 Having been introduced to Gervase Phinn's books by questioning why my mum & dad were both laughing in bed! I waited with baited breath for the next part... & how I wasn't disappointed. This time round Gervase is getting ready for marriage & married life & whilst only a few pages are taken up with the wedding part (don't think the whole book is given over to it) it continues to entertain us with tales of children, Mrs Savage, David & Sydney & Connie at the Staff Development Centre. All of whom have a unique & wonderful sense of humour, something that you probably need to have whilst working with children. Many moments stand out from this book & it would be too difficult to pick & tell you one. I wait with great delight for the fourth part(please write some more, Gervase) & to learn that the television rights have been sold as well. All I will say (and once you have the read the book you will know why) is 'Frank sent this...'!
