The Chalet School and the Island
The CBB -> Book Discussions
#1: The Chalet School and the Island Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 3:29 am

I'm not going to bother moving the other books over here, and if you have a question or comment, I suggest using the Books and Characters section. Apologies to Ruth and Thomas. Feel free to post your comments here, too. Fave scene Least fave scene Was the problem with the drains a realistic plot device, and was the move even necessary?

 

#2: KB!!! Author: Thomas, Location: Norfolk, UK Or Reading Uni - depending on the Day! *g* PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 11:26 am

Help - what did I say again? Ermm I'll be back when I've gone through my off-line history!

 

#3:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 11:31 am

Check the archive, Thomas. I archived your comments.

 

#4:  Author: Thomas, Location: Norfolk, UK Or Reading Uni - depending on the Day! *g* PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 11:43 am

My Favourtie Scene would be the one where Joey brings the boats - or rather the chapter leading up to that event - the ideas the girls have as to what the surprise will be are priceless! My least favourite scene apart from the Annis Lovel incident is the start - while the drains is a good plot, when the telephone call comes it's a little too convient for my tastes. I'd have prefered a chapter where they tour one of the unsuitable places - an idea for a drabble? The Move was fun because it gave us boating again and a chance for new interests - Ornothology has been a niggling - I must take that up at the back of my mind since I read that book!

 

#5:  Author: Nicci, Location: UK PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:36 pm

I agree with thomas, I'm not keen on the annis lovell incident. This book always seemed a bit disjointed to me. Maybe I should sit down with it properly, I haven't read it in a while. I like the introduction of the Christy family (that is in this one isn't it?).

 

#6:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:43 pm

I've always wondered why EBD moved the school to the new "English" location ~ what had suddenly become so wrong about Plas Howell that she couldn't write about it anymore? That's why I think the drains are contrived. However, what it worse is the subsidence at Plas Gywn. Obviously EBD had not yet planned for Joey to go to Canada, as this makes her move to Cartref even more unnecessary. But then again she couldn't possible leave her babies. I wonder what other parents thought of this?

 

#7:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 3:32 pm

I never really liked this book, Annis Lovell annoyed me so much that it killed the rest for me. Grr. The drains plot didn't bother me, but I thought it was too much when Joey turns up. I am a big Joey fan, but that was very contrived. I must re-read this book, it is one I always skip over.

 

#8:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:00 pm

*peers anxiously over each shoulder* I really like this one! But then it's one of the early ones I read and I like all of them! I like Annis - poor girl's obviously had loads to contend with in Aunt Margaret and even if it's foolish to run away, she's got much better reason to than Eustacia etc - plus she's more gutsy because she keeps climbing (OK, so there's no option because the tide's coming in and Stacie's flood was subsiding but you get my point) I like Kester Bellever - great character - we should see more of him I LOVE the Impertinent Questions chapter! Great fun! (Mary-Lou is still quite realistic in this book, rather than the paragon of virtue with which she is later acclaimed) Absolutely LOVE the scene in Penny Rest - yes, it's contrived but it's still one of my favourites!! Very Happy

 

#9:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 11:49 pm

I must admit I quite like this one too. Felt more could have been done about the reason for the move - that idea for a drabble for when they are looking around others is good. Feel the reason for Margot going to Canada is rather out of the blue - yes she'd been ill as a baby but there was little more mentioned (unless I missed it - only have PB's) Felt Annis had good reason and that her 'aunt' was a really nasty bitch - glad she got her come uppance!

 

#10:  Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:51 am

This one isn't high up on my list of favourites, and I tend to only skim it instead of reading it properly these days - mainly for the same reasons as other people have already mentioned. So much of the plot is way beyond coincidence, so contrived it's painful, and just so damn unneccessary! I hate the fact that Joey followed the school, you would have thought her and Jack could have found another house near to Plas Gwyn for the duration, to oversee the work if nothing else! I think it made worse the fact that the Maynards go out to the Oberland as well, because they had already done it too many times! (Did they HAVE to move to Plas Gwyn when the school went to Armiford??) However, I also like the Impertinent Questions chapter - maybe we should have a go at the Gathering? Mary-Lou was bearable until after her accident! THEN she just had a complete personality transplant at the same time as a hair cut! Rachel the Quidditch

 

#11:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:03 am

Rachel wrote:
However, I also like the Impertinent Questions chapter - maybe we should have a go at the Gathering? Rachel the Quidditch
What a great idea, Rachel! Of course we must!

 

#12:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:17 am

Why did Joey have to move to Carnbach? Wouldn't that have taken Jack away from the San?

 

#13:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:48 am

He seemed to travel back and forth. The book suggests she moved to Carnbach because she could get a house from Commander Christie.

 

#14: The Chalet School And The Island Author: Helen, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:39 am

I did enjoy this book. I liked it for the reasons other people had said. I had great sympathy for Annis. I enjoyed the island apsects. The move of Jo was rather contrived. Someone on another forum suggested that the reason that EBD moved the CS from Hereford was because in real life her own school the Margaret Roper School had failed and she would want to have a new setting for her fictional school. I could believe that.

 

#15:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:48 am

Ooooh!! Hadn't thought of that!!!

 

#16:  Author: mohini, Location: india PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:21 am

I like this book My favourite scene is the arrival of school. No least favourite scene. why the school was moved? Who knows. Maybe EDB thought of some new plots and wanted a new place for them. There is lot of finding buried treasure and about birds and bating and hence falling in water and similar adventures. It is from this book that Mary-lou's character is being developed.Though Clem is seen to be speaking like a senior to her and not her friend. Mention is also made of Roasalie's writing skill. Wonder what happened to that ? Was there any mention in later books?

 

#17:  Author: Thomas, Location: Norfolk, UK Or Reading Uni - depending on the Day! *g* PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:31 pm

Rachel wrote:
Did they HAVE to move to Plas Gwyn when the school went to Armiford??
Well yes - because they were in Gurnsey and the Germans were coming, so they wanted to keep out of their grasp!

 

#18:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:51 pm

Favourite scene: Impertinent Questions, though I did think the mass brawl was out of character for CS girls Least favourite scene: Probably the reasons for the move Would bad drains really have made so many people ill? And wasn't it ever so convenient Joey's house had serious problems at the same time? And is the 'crisp, dry air' of Canada really better for your health?

 

#19:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:27 pm

*g* Yes - you can't help thinking, when Chelsea tells us its -40 to -20 and my region manager has just got back from a week where it hit -42, that dry or not, those temps can't have been good for delicate people! But then crisp and dry is a hundred times nicer than dank and damp ..... Confused

 

#20:  Author: Ruth, Location: Lincolnshire, England PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:37 pm

I have always liked this one - it is not as great a favourite as some of them. I am not too keen on Annis Lovell. My most favourite scene would have to be the Impertinant Questions chapter - I think Mary-Lou comes over real in this chapter. Maybe EBD should have killed her in the accident in Mary-Lou of the CS! I don't have any scenes I dislike. The drains plot is not very original but EBD had to have some reason for moving the school.

 

#21:  Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:38 pm

I don very much like this book it's gritty, lots of things going on...sort of keeps you awake!

 

#22:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:04 pm

Marianne wrote:
I don very much like this book
Not being picky, I'm honestly not sure. Do you or do you not like Island? Myself, I quite enjoy it.

 

#23:  Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:50 am

Thomas wrote:
Rachel wrote:
Did they HAVE to move to Plas Gwyn when the school went to Armiford??
Well yes - because they were in Gurnsey and the Germans were coming, so they wanted to keep out of their grasp!
Oh, I appreciate they had to get out of Guernsey (out of? off of? what does one do when leaving an island please?) But it didn't HAVE to be armiford - they could have gone somewhere else. And no, I am not prepared to offer alternative suggestions at this time of night without being up to date on my CS reading!

 

#24:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:05 am

Could they not have moved back to Taverton? I think you move off of an island.

 

#25:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:00 am

Although in this case they probably evacuated Wink

 

#26:  Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:01 am

But remember, when they were planning to leave Guernsey, Ernest Howell came and actually offered them Plas Howell. They weren't going to turn that down!

 

#27:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:30 am

They moved to Armiford because EBD was living in Hereford and she had to oversee the school of course!! I rather liked the detail of the boats and the Regatta/Pageant. But I don't think we should try the greasy pole at the gathering. Also with Aunt Margaret EBD gave us a character we love to hate.

 

#28:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:59 am

Liss wrote:
But remember, when they were planning to leave Guernsey, Ernest Howell came and actually offered them Plas Howell. They weren't going to turn that down!
As I recall, though, the school didn't end up there. Didn't they move into England, in a house where the Juniors had been located? Glendower House? That's what it says in "Changes"!

 

#29:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:37 pm

This is one of my iffy ones. Sometimes I read it and really enjoy it at other times it annoys me. Like everyone else I think the moveing plots are contrived. Wonder if the publishers were murmuring that the series was too long again. Or was it maybe that people were moving more freely after the war and EBD wanted a change of scenery? Even giving the scarcity of houses at that time I didn't like Jo's move to Cartref. I think it is the start of her dependancy on the school.

 

#30:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:44 pm

Susan wrote:
Even giving the scarcity of houses at that time I didn't like Jo's move to Cartref. I think it is the start of her dependancy on the school.
And maybe their dependency on her.

 

#31:  Author: Thomas, Location: Norfolk, UK Or Reading Uni - depending on the Day! *g* PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:44 pm

KB wrote:
Liss wrote:
But remember, when they were planning to leave Guernsey, Ernest Howell came and actually offered them Plas Howell. They weren't going to turn that down!
As I recall, though, the school didn't end up there. Didn't they move into England, in a house where the Juniors had been located? Glendower House? That's what it says in "Changes"!
Okay - here we go - history of the School Breisau :arrow: la Sarres (Guernsy) :arrow: Plas Howell :arrow: St. Braviels :arrow: Juniors to Glendower House with Miss Alton :arrow: Finishers to Welsen :arrow: Middles & Seniors not going to Platz go to Glendower House :arrow: Everyone else - the Platz

 

#32:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:47 pm

Thanks, Tom.

 

#33:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:42 pm

That's a point, why did the English branch (that was in Wales!!) not use Plas Howell if it was available. Whay did they have to use the junior building. How did they all fit in?

 

#34:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 5:04 pm

There were rooms they didn't use and Plas Howell would have been tpoo big I suppose.

 

#35:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:22 pm

Considering it says that the school purchased Plas Howell, though, one has to wonder what they did with it!

 

#36:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 1:37 am

But they didn't buy it in the end! Ernest Howell sold it to some nuns and they made it a convent! (I can't remember which book that's in, but I know it's there!)

 

#37:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:21 am

I don't remember that, but it's in a hb (probably the one after the one where it says they've already bought it!). Could you please find it for us, Vikki?

 

#38:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:31 am

Actually, I do like Island i think it has a nice mix of various things, and nothing too dramatic apart from the Annis incident, which to me was quite believable. *alert!* Moving: this is being a violent headache at the moment. Jo says that they had to move the school because of the drains- it's making people ill and giving them bad throats. That doesn't make much sense to me, because she then goes on to say that the boys caught the throat from the girls- which means that the illness, whatever it is, is infectious/contagious rather then being waterborne within the school itself. Admittedly, I don't know much about it, but the only illness I could think of that could be easily linked to the drains was cholera- and that's a little too dramatic, even for the CS! Plus, I'm not sure the sypmtoms fit. My other thought is that it's some kind of strep throat epidemic. I did some research on this the other week online, and it said that strep *can* be caused by water (the bacteria) and that it can spread- although it seems to be contagious rather than infectious- not that that matters in a boarding school! If ayone has any better ideas let me know asap. I need it for the current chapter of the fill in I'm working on- it's stalled! Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#39:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:11 am

I was just wondering how that story was going, Lisa...

 

#40:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:39 am

It's really annoying. The first 11 chapters poured out- not much thinking required! But chapter 12 is being a real pain! (I am working on it- about half way through)

 

#41:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:06 pm

Aw! *huggles* Send it to me and maybe I can come up with something for you!

 

#42:  Author: Thomas, Location: Norfolk, UK Or Reading Uni - depending on the Day! *g* PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:26 pm

The selling of the covent to the Nuns - changes or Joey goes or Barbara - around that time anyway!

 

#43:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:30 pm

I've read about the selling of the convent to nuns recently and I think its in Changes, or possibly Barbara, but its in the PB. I think they were offered Plas Howell to buy but had already decided to go the Switzerland. However, this does not explain why the school didn't buy it for the English branch.

 

#44:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:17 pm

Chelsea wrote:
Could they not have moved back to Taverton? I think you move off of an island.
(Sorry to be picky, but you never move "off of" anything - you just move off, or away from.) I always quite liked this book, partly because it was one of the first I read (in PB) and because I liked the whole idea of being on an island and next to the sea. We also caught up with news of a lot of old girls. I think the episode I liked most was when Joey talks to the older girls about what they are hoping to do with their lives. I remember feeling a bit cheated that there was a bit of a gap between this book and the previous one, and a lot of things had obviously happened in that gap, eg, Michael's birth, the drains going wrong, Margot getting so ill, so I do feel the plot was very contrived but I do think the books set on St Briavels are amongst my favourite ones. It was interesting to have a fairly strong male character who wasn't a doctor, and nice that someone who had been killed off came back to life (although a bit of a similar story to Jack in Highland Twins).

 

#45:  Author: gigagal, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:23 pm

This one seemed a bit odd to me...I mean the Annis incident didn't seem to be very big to me. My favourite scene would be the Impertinent Questions scene...and least favourite would be the Annis Incident. The move was silly. I have a massive dislike of that island. Hmmph.

 

#46:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:35 pm

That's true about Margot. As we never saw her really ill, I never felt a sense of how she developed the way she did when she was young. EBD can tell us that Joey made her life 'a happy one' but we only see the implications retrospectively.

 

#47:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:31 am

That's true. And I never even remember Margot being described in the pre canada years as looking frail, so maybe EBD just took a dislike to Margot and decided to get rid for a while!

 

#48:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 3:06 am

Lisa_T wrote:
That's true. And I never even remember Margot being described in the pre canada years as looking frail, so maybe EBD just took a dislike to Margot and decided to get rid for a while!
In Highland Twins, when Joey first gets the letter about the twins, Robin says that Jo won't want to get called up "at least until after we see how Margot gets through the winter"(or something to that effect). It goes to say that Margot is more delicate than her sisters after some illness earlier. This is the 'flu that got worked into "Robin".

 

#49:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 6:49 am

Anonymous wrote:
I remember feeling a bit cheated that there was a bit of a gap between this book and the previous one, and a lot of things had obviously happened in that gap, eg, Michael's birth, the drains going wrong, Margot getting so ill, so I do feel the plot was very contrived but I do think the books set on St Briavels are amongst my favourite ones.
My own theory of the fact that EBD never wrote that book is that she didn't want to write so many things that couldn't be solved by the end of the books, which would have left so many questions up in the air - what to do with the school, whether Margot would get strong again, whether Annis would get more angry, etc. It would be like To Be Continued... on a TV show, but with a much longer gap until the next book came out.

 

#50:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 7:24 pm

I've just thought. Could you imagine Joey's reaction if someone told her she wouldn't be living near the school anymore?

 

#51:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 7:42 pm

In Highland Twins, when Joey first gets the letter about the twins, Robin says that Jo won't want to get called up "at least until after we see how Margot gets through the winter"(or something to that effect). It goes to say that Margot is more delicate than her sisters after some illness earlier. This is the 'flu that got worked into "Robin".[/quote] Oh I know that. But it doesnt seem to get many mentions after- not even in Rescue (bearing in mind my copy is the pb) and I'm almost definite it isn't mentioned in Three Go tho' I'd need to check.

 

#52:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:18 pm

[quote="Lisa_T"]In Highland Twins, when Joey first gets the letter about the twins, Robin says that Jo won't want to get called up "at least until after we see how Margot gets through the winter"(or something to that effect). earlier. Oh I know that. But it doesnt seem to get many mentions after- I assumed that as she was fine the first winter after her illness they weren't as worried in subsequent ones - thinking about it Jo's pregnant with Steve in HT so wouldn't have been called up and I think I'm right in saying that with children of the triplets age she wouldn't have had to work any way (why wasn't Anna called up? She's the same age as Jo or would it be to do with the Austrian nationality but she never has a problem in the way Frieda does - unless working for Jo was work of national importance

 

#53:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:23 pm

Of course it was. After all she had three kids to look after. And only her sister, and the entire school nearby to help!

 

#54:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:37 pm

How on earth did she cope?! Wink

 

#55:  Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 1:04 am

I have a confession to make - pay attention everyone! I started reading Peggy last night ready for next weeks BD, and discovered Joey doesn't move to Cartref until Peggy! In Island, she is still living in Plas Gwyn. I have been much maligning a character a book too early. Please ignore all my earlier comments about the stupidity of Joey following the chool until next week! Thankyou.

 

#56:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 10:18 am

But she around an on the scene in Island, so where is she staying? *Looks forward to Rachel's comments next week*

 

#57:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:06 am

She came back and forth on the ferry, Ally, but she wasn't really around much in "Island". And Rachel, would you like me to put up Peggy now so that you can start attacking it?

 

#58:  Author: Thomas, Location: Norfolk, UK Or Reading Uni - depending on the Day! *g* PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 3:50 pm

Aye that's right I amembers now - she only spends a flying visit to the school to give them the boats. Same sort of flying visit as she made to the Oberland to see her new house??

 

#59:  Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:02 am

KB wrote:
And Rachel, would you like me to put up Peggy now so that you can start attacking it?
I expected it to be up now! I have been making notes whilst reading and have lots to say (now there's a shocker!) Mind you, tis taking me ages to read - I keep getting sidetracked into killing people!

 

#60:  Author: Angel, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:14 am

I like Island. Joey Moving with the school seems to be a given, I guess because she's probably a major shareholder in the CS Trust by now, and it's probably a good idea to have one of herself, Dick or Madge in the vicinity to deal with any problems that arise. Also, she seems to do the sort of pastoral work that a chaplain might do these days, or a school counsellor or other pastoral officer, perhaps on a voluntary basis. As for drains - we had bad drains once at school, and it was seriously unpleasant. Took several weeks to sort out (fortunately after exams and before summer) and quite a few people went down with bugs. I'm assuming that Plas Howell was Spring fed for its water supply, as it's quite a way from the main village and roads, and therefore it's possible that they were worried that the water course could have been affected. Angel

 

#61:  Author: Nicci, Location: UK PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:25 am

Angel wrote:
Joey Moving with the school seems to be a given, I guess because she's probably a major shareholder in the CS Trust by now, Angel
Would Joey be a major shareholder though? Confused

 

#62:  Author: Angel, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:29 am

I would imagine that the profits from her books may well have gone into the school, while Jem invested a lot in the San, particularly after the Anschluss, when Joey would have had money in the UK from her novels and therefore able to invest when the school wen to Plas Howell, and tide them over.

 

#63:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:22 am

From comments in the books, I'd always imagined that Joey and Jack had a number of shares in the school

 

#64:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:33 pm

I always imagine Jo and Madge had a certain amount of shares between them and Hilda, Nell and perhaps Matey had some between them. Island is not one of my favourites I can really see no point to it unless EBD meant the school to stay there longer but RL changes opened up foreign travel again and she decided to move to Switzerland. Favourite scene Jo describing her meeting with Annis's aunt, ( I know it's far fetched but it always make me laugh) Least favourite - Annis's in the boat.

 

#65:  Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:35 am

Ooh, I'm all surprised that no one's mentioned my favourite scene - where Bride & co discuss Annis. I really like the way that EBD captures them in this book, once they've stopped being heedless juniors but haven't yet become wise and reverend prefects. Other than that, I agree that it's a bit disjointed, but it's still one of the books I enjoy most. I find it quite realistic (despite all the plot contrivances) for having Annis and Cherry as reluctant CS girls with nonconventional families.

 

#66:  Author: Digital Angel, Location: Lancaster PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 2:13 pm

I read this one very recently after getting hold of it via Amazon.Co.Uk. I actually did like Annis Lovell since I am quite a fan of troublesome Chalet girls (I feel that too many of them end up as model pupils by the end and I would just like to see a troublesome girl remain that way and not either be expelled or transformed into a goody-two-shoes after an accident). Although her plan to escape to America and all that about becoming a nurse may seem a little silly, this is the kind of thing that does run through the head of a girl her age, especially when she has an aunt like that. The move to the island, although a little silly, did allow for a more adventurous location for the following books to be based in. The return of the boating competitions, and especially that tub race, was a welcome one. My only problem with the book is Joey's presence. I know she has a very strong tie with the school but she seems to be everywhere in this one. The final straw came when she ran into Annis' aunt down in Cornwall during the summer break. Am I to assume that there's only one holiday resort in the UK or is it just another coiincidence? Razz

 

#67:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 5:37 pm

Definitely an EBD coincidence!

 

#68:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 7:15 pm

One of the less believable ones.

 

#69:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 7:33 pm

And how many of those are there?! Rolling Eyes

 

#70:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 1:37 am

I know we've had lists of EBDisms before, but how about a list of amazing coincidences.

 

#71:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 3:59 am

There used to be a post of those, but I think the TEM may have devoured it.

 

#72:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 4:08 am

Probably because there was a million and 12 of them.

 

#73:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:41 am

Yes, I think that's about right... Laughing

 

#74:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:54 pm

Only that many? Razz

 

#75:  Author: Janet, Location: Ferndown, Dorset PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 6:12 pm

Oh dear - reading all these comments makes me realise how little I've questioned the books - EBD could have spoonfed me any contrived scenario and I would have accepted it! Very Happy But I do like Island - it's always fun when they change location because there's the opportunity to intriduce new themes, whether it's sailing or skiiing or bird-watching ..

 

#76:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 6:21 pm

Janet wrote:
Oh dear - reading all these comments makes me realise how little I've questioned the books - EBD could have spoonfed me any contrived scenario and I would have accepted it!
I sometimes think we are a bit too critical of EBDs contrived plots and continuity slips. Thinking of almost any writer from Enid Blyton to Charles Dickens, there's always some unlikely coincidence to carry the story along. It's your favourite books where you notice the slips because you read them more often.

 

#77:  Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 6:22 pm

There must be about 10 or more mistakes per books, didn't anyone ever check

 

#78:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 6:26 pm

Oops, no idea how that got there!

Last edited by patmac on Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:02 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#79:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 8:37 pm

I assumed both Jo and Dick would have shares in the Chalet School as the money that was used to start it was left to the three of them when their parents died.

 

#80:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:33 am

Quote:
Thinking of almost any writer from Enid Blyton to Charles Dickens, there's always some unlikely coincidence to carry the story along.
Yep - the absolute worst for that is Thomas Hardy - why have a happy ending when you can introduce a monstrously unrealistic slip of fate which turns the whole thing to tragedy! I love his books but they also make me so frustrated!! He definitely doesn't want his characters to be happy!

 

#81:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 2:47 pm

*lol* That reminds me a little of Charlotte Bronte. Certainly 'The Profess' had a happy ending, but the others were all tempered by something or other!

 

#82:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:27 pm

*g* Well, I've not read much Bronte (any of 'em) but I've read quite a few Thomas Hardys. The only one i really diskliked was er...the name always goes at this point- the one with the girl called Bathsheba and all the sheep. Mind you, he does a good line in dropping nasty hints throughout- like all those hints of crimson about Tess from the very first chapter. I didn't like Angel (that was his name, wasn't it?) or the other guy. I did rather like Tess. Has anyone read John Webster's 'Duchess of Malfi'? that's a tragedy too, and he has an absolute genius for digusting imagery. To this day, I cannot hear or read the word 'coulis' without thinking of a coulis made from dead babies...euurgh.

 

#83:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 10:59 am

So a raspberry or strawberry coulis wouldn't work for you then? Wink I have seen Duchess of Malfi but many years ago so would need to do a re-read as I can't remember any coulis in it! But you have to hand it to Shakespeare for gruesome! Heads rolling around the stage, sons baked into pies, women raped and their hands and tongues cut off ... and that's just Titus Andronicus!

 

#84:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 12:53 am

Lisa, is the book you can't remember 'Far From the Madding Crowd'?

 

#85:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:53 am

That's the one. I dislike it so much i can't remember what it's called myself! Rachael- you got it. Strawberry or raspberry coulis has the strangest connotations. But I still think Webster does nastier imagery than Shakespeare- except maybe in Richard III.

 

#86:  Author: LL, Location: Tottenham to Camberwell - The London Rollercoaster! PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:19 pm

yeah, i really like kester bellever. how come you all know so much about each book? Twisted Evil help! i better go through my chalet collection thoroughly so i have something to talk about! EEEK!

 

#87:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:12 pm

because we've all read them that many time, apart from the very late swiss books and tyrol - I'd read them all by 14 I think (not owned them all though until last year)

 

#88:  Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 12:14 am

I have to say I like parts of it - for all the reasons given. Don't like the Annis/Cherry pairing but each character has some believability on its own. Love the water sports.

 

#89:  Author: Janet, Location: Ferndown, Dorset PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 6:01 pm

I agree that the water sports is one of the best bits - that and the Impertinent Questions!!I like this book - even though the Annis thing is very similar to Eustacia, it's still exciting and I like the scenes with Kester and Cherry ...And of course Joey's blatant earwigging into Captain Lovell and that nasty Maragaret Bain woman is wonderful!! It's worth suspending your disbelief!!

 

#90:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 6:14 am

Janet wrote:
I like this book - even though the Annis thing is very similar to Eustacia, it's still exciting and I like the scenes with Kester and Cherry ...
Do you really think so? Eustacia wasn't really bitter against the school from the word go, like Annis was. Nor did Eustacia really have a bad home life - she just thought she did!

 

#91:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:11 pm

Perhaps she means the climbing up the cliff thing being similar to Eustacia getting stuck in the flood?Both could have been swept away .....

 

#92:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 4:28 pm

Lisa, I absolutely adore Webster, but my favourite is 'The White Devil'. Do you know TS Eliot's poem about Webster?'Webster was much possessed by DeathAnd saw the skull beneath the skin.......''

 

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