Shocks for the Chalet School
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#1: Shocks for the Chalet School Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:32 am

Favourite scenes? Least favourite? Was Emerence a useful plot device?

 

#2:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:50 am

Not actually a response to this as such (it's been so long since I read this one that I can't), but more a query: Someone said that in this book, Hilda explains why she didn't come down on Jennifer harder after the Blossom-in-the-art-room episode, I've completely forgotten this whole plot line, so I was wondering if you could give that explanation? Ray *looking hopeful and eagerly awaiting reading other people's comments on this book*

 

#3:  Author: Ruth, Location: Lincolnshire, England PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 2:12 pm

My most favourite scene is where Rosalie Dene tells Jack Maynard about Emerence coming - I just love his response "You've-collected-a young firebug?!". There are no scenes I really dislike. Miss Everett annoys me- she always seems kind of aloof. I think using Emerence is a good plot. She is obviously so wilful that I wondered wether even the Chalet School could do anything with her.[/i]

 

#4:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 3:20 am

Here's the bit from the HB dealing with Jennifer:
Quote:
‘I suppose you’re worrying about Mrs Penrose’s letter of yesterday? Honestly I don’t see why you should. Jennifer was a complete pest last term and deserved all she got. I’m very glad indeed to hear that she has been quite subdued these holidays. If it continues, there may be some chance of her turning out all right in the end. And that,’ Miss Dene concluded, ‘is something I never expected to be able to say about that young woman.’ The Head nodded. ‘I know. At one time I seriously considered whether it wouldn’t be better to write and ask her parents to remove her at the end of term.’ ‘I should write and tell her doting Mamma so,’ Rosalie advised. ‘No I don’t want to do that. Her father might get hold of the letter and, from all I can hear, he seems to be as much too strict as his wife is too easy-going. Jennifer punished herself quite severely enough for her sins and there it may end. I never did believe in raking up past offences.’ ‘No that’s true enough.’
I quite like Shocks -- mostly because I like Bride and Co. I love the firebug line as well, and I do quite like Emerence -- though she's not my favourite "naughty girl" by a long shot. I also like the amount of the staff and, in particular, the Head and Rosalie, that we see in this one.

 

#5:  Author: Nel,  PostPosted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:37 am

Ech --note to self: Log in, then post. The above was me Smile

 

#6:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England PostPosted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:40 am

Thanks Nel Smile Ray *resolving to aquire a few more CS books*

 

#7:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:10 pm

I finally just read this book in transcript form and greatly enjoyed it. I really liked the prefect group and I enjoyed Emmie - her first term is refered to alot in later books, so it was nice to finally read about it.

 

#8:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:34 pm

'Shocks' is one of my favourites from the England/Wales era, probably because it was one of the first one I read whereas most of the others a lot later. I'm not a huge fan of the whole Miss Everett falling in a pit (lovely as it is to see OOAO in trouble) and the treasure storyline seemed to be left hanging because I didn't read 'Changes' until a few months ago when I finally found out what happened. But I do like Emerence and the scene with Rosalie when she won't go down the right stairs and the stuffing the scarecrow into the overflow. It's nice to see something of Bride et al too.

 

#9:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 1:38 pm

It's funny, but that treasure storyline is one of very few that I can think of that are not resolved quickly, but are left hanging. I've sometimes felt that the reason EBD didn't write the term between "Three Go" and "Island" was because she couldn't wrap up the problem of Annis in one book.

 

#10:  Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach) PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 3:39 pm

I quite liked Shocks, I think Emerence is great in that one. Particularly the Emerence-Rosalie on the stairs episode, always makes me giggle. Some of it tends to be a bit waffly, the whole pit thing but other than that.. Oh and of course, I was always REALLY bugged by Joey appearing at the end (I was 21 when I first read it and had decided by then that I really didn't like her).

 

#11:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:56 pm

I like shocks apart from the very last scene when Jo appears, that is just too contrived for me. Love the Rosalie Emerence scene too. Think Emerence makes a change from some of the other new girls we get at that time. Have never read this in HB. Will read the unabridged version when GGBP publish it.

 

#12:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:16 pm

So, you guys didn't find Jo's unscheduled appearance to be a "final, delightful shock" then?! Wink (paraphrasing from back of Armada copy)

 

#13:  Author: Kirsty, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:25 pm

Susan wrote:
Have never read this in HB. Will read the unabridged version when GGBP publish it.
Susan, the transcript on Raya's site is from the HB, if you want to read the unabridged version. Shocks isn't one of the books I like overly much. I find Emmy to be particularly annoying, and as this is the book she's introduced it, it's bad by association. Not an entirely rational reason to dislike a book, but it's mine. The bits I did like was about the gardening bed, and Mary-Lou having a huge pair of scissors to cut with because they hade been forbidden the seccateurs. The justification that she used was a laugh, and it was good that she got into lots of trouble for it. And the Rosalie-Emerence scene on the stairs is one of the best in the book.

 

#14:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:56 pm

Having just read the transcript via Raya's site, I thought I'd toss in some observations: 1) EBD can't have ever been to Temple MEADS (narry such place as Templemore) station - tis big but tis not as big as she implies in the opening chapter. And, knowing it well, the worst Bride and co would have to do is cross from platform three to platform five (which is a two minute walk at the most). 2) Got to like Emmy - got to loath her mother in particular. LOVE Rosalie Smile 3) First it was wet. Then it was dry enough for water shortages. Then it was wet again, all in the space of three-five weeks. Even as EBD'isms go, this is quite a feat! Also, have to love the staff party - and the fact that it's the Prefects who get stuck in the mud, rather than the middles. Ray *tossing in loose change*

 

#15:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:03 pm

Ray wrote:
3) First it was wet. Then it was dry enough for water shortages. Then it was wet again, all in the space of three-five weeks. Even as EBD'isms go, this is quite a feat!
Yes, EBD was great with weather, wasn't she? *rolls eyes*

 

#16:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:22 pm

What are seccateurs? I am also glad that ML got in trouble over them.

 

#17:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:27 pm

They're gardening impliments used for the purposes of cutting back/pruning bushes. And they can be downright vicious, particularly if you have a pair that are so blunt they slip... Ray *saying no more but noting it was messy*

 

#18:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:48 pm

I love the staff party scene, too Ray!

 

#19:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:57 am

Ray wrote:
They're gardening impliments used for the purposes of cutting back/pruning bushes. And they can be downright vicious, particularly if you have a pair that are so blunt they slip... Ray *saying no more but noting it was messy*
*hopes Ray wasn't the victim*

 

#20:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 4:42 pm

Sadly, that's a hope in vain - and I can show you the scar at TG! It's only little and barely there but... Ow. Ray *wincing at the memory*

 

#21:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:31 pm

Oh, Ray! *huggles*

 

#22:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 12:27 am

Poor Ray. Hope it wasn't too painful at the time.

 

#23:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:27 am

I really like this book, especially asd i have it in HB *smirk* I've said it before and I'll say it again, but this is the one that really makes me wonder about EBD's ideas of medicine. four aspirins and whisky indeed! That'd classify as an OD these days! KB's dead right. EBD didn't write the book between Three and Island cos Annis is such a pain. She has to be difficult enough to leave a bad taste in people's mouths, but not expellably difficult. It's murder to write, especially given the 'everyone will reform bt the last page' mindset of the other books. However, I do feel quite sorry for her! Wink (Annis, that is!) No, that's not fair. BWD never really reformed, and neither did Thekla or Joan in Problem.

 

#24:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:15 pm

Four aspirins and whisky? For one person??? Question

 

#25:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 1:20 am

Yup.For Hilda after a cold walk- she didn't even get wet, and Matey still produced the meds and the whiskey...

 

#26:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:29 pm

It wasn't after a walk was it? I thought it was when she and Commander Christie found the scarecrow Emerence had stuffed in the drainage for the pond?

 

#27:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:45 pm

Yes, Vikki and they had to walk to the spot- don't you remember how Hilda nearly falls over? Wink *wondeirng if Vikki thinks CC and Hilda have wings....* Razz

 

#28:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 7:20 pm

Yes, but they didn't go out with the sole purpose of walking, so it's not a TRUE walk......

 

#29:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 7:24 pm

Well, I'll concede that, but they did walk an' it was cold! Razz Razz

 

#30:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 7:34 pm

Okay, I'll give you that they walked!! And it was cold!!

 

#31:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:40 pm

So we're agreed then? Wink

 

#32:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:44 pm

Looks like it!!! Laughing

 

#33:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:46 pm

Must be catching...

 

#34:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 7:22 pm

*is rather unnerved by the agreement*

 

#35:  Author: Ray, Location: Bristol, England PostPosted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 7:25 pm

It had to happen sooner or later ) Ray *huggling the HM*

 

#36:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 7:28 pm

True. *huggles back*

 

#37:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 2:04 pm

I'm sure normal service will soon resume.

 

#38:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 11:16 pm

What normal service woiuld that be, Sarah? Are you by any chance implying that Vikki and I are incapable of agreeing?! Razz Razz Razz

 

#39:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:10 am

Hmm, it might be something like that, Lisa...

 

#40:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:16 am

I thought it might be. *prepares hammer for Sarah* Working our way through the board, are we, KB? Wink

 

#41:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:24 am

Hmm, maybe. Not all of us had the luxury of being on the board when it first started up again... hammer hammer

 

#42:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:26 am

LOL Just as well, really... gives the rest of us a head start! *thoroughly entertained by watching KB's gradual and determined progress down the board*

 

#43:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:30 am

*wonders how to fool with Lisa's mind*

 

#44:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:32 am

*smirk* Can't be done, sweetie. Not even with needles and laughing gas.

 

#45:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:30 pm

Lisa_T wrote:
I thought it might be. *prepares hammer for Sarah* Working our way through the board, are we, KB? Wink
*Runs away from Lisa*

 

#46:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:34 am

Shocked Shocked Now why would you want to run away from me, Sarah?

 

#47:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:37 pm

Absolutely no reason Lisa. I've done nuffink. Wink

 

#48:  Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:05 pm

Then why are you running? Laughing Laughing Laughing

 

#49:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:31 pm

It's probably a precautionary measure, Lisa.

 

#50:  Author: Nicci, Location: UK PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:53 am

*strenuously drags thread back on topic*I like the fact that we see so much of Rosalie in this book. When she's locked away typing letters and organising timetables its difficult to see how she could be such a favourite with the girls and staff, but in Shocks we get to see er interacting with the school much more.

 

#51:  Author: Rachael,  PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:46 am

Absolutely - her handling of Emerence is brilliant ...

 

#52:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:54 am

Nicci wrote:
*strenuously drags thread back on topic*
*impressed by Nicci's muscles*

 

#53:  Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:54 pm

I think I read Barbara before I read Shocks so was vey intrigued by the Chinese Whispers. Really enjoyed Shocks. Thanks KB Wink

 

#54:  Author: claire, Location: South Wales PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:10 pm

still don't see how they managed to shorten the story into Miss Dene being a cannabil though, I remember playing it at brownies/guides and you could generally work out how it had gone wrong

 

#55:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:07 pm

Mandy wrote:
Thanks KB Wink
No problem.

 

#56:  Author: Janet, Location: Ferndown, Dorset PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:58 pm

This is a good book - I agree that it's nice to see more of Rosalie as she's a great character who we don't se enough of - the way she handles Emerence shows a depth and strength to her that I don't remember seeing prior to this bookAlso love the prefects in the mud - very funny!And I usually giggle at Mr (?) Christie being impressed by Emerence's biceps!!

 

#57:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2004 7:10 pm

Sorry to revive this, but I've just finished re reading it. According to the A to Z Mary-Lous father is mentioned, one reason I was re reading it, but I can't find any mention in my paperback, so presume this was cut, (or I'm a sloppy reader) Could anyone with a hardback and a good memory please tell me what the reference says, thank you and you will be repaid in drabble later in a few months.

 

#58:  Author: James,  PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2004 7:27 pm

This comes just after Mary-Lou is caught with the scissors and the Head tells her off.
Quote:
'You knew perfectly well that if you weren't being utterly disobedient to the rule, you were being deceitful about it. I know that scissors aren't secateurs, but you knew as well as I do that you weren't supposed to use anything of the kind. I didn't think that you, of all girls, would ever turn shifty, Mary-Lou!' That had hurt! Mary-Lou's father had been an explorer who had given his life to help his friends when they were attacked by wild natives up the Amazon. He was one of her heroes and, under all her sinful ways, there was the resolve she had taken when it had happened - three years ago, now - to try to grow up into the kind of girl Father would have wanted her to be. She felt that this scissors business wasn't at all the sort of thing he would have liked.

 

#59:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2004 8:00 pm

Thanks a lot James, that was exactly what I was looking for. And it will be very useful!

 

#60:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 12:17 pm

So what is this going to be about Carolyn - (my guess is Mary Lou - but that could be far too simplistic ) & most importantly WHEN do we get it? Wink

 

#61:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 12:30 pm

It is going to be about Mary-Lou and will concentrate on her relations with the family, but will follow some events through school as well. Idea came from Inspire and Challenge. As for when, well I'm re reading now, but can't start writing till A) I've finished the re read because |I want to make sure that some threads I'm picking up now do run all the way through and B) I've done a lot more of my coursework!!! I would anticiplate about the beginning of June before I am ready to post anything...depending on the work!!!

 

#62:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 12:36 pm

OOOOOH bounces excitedly - a whole new Carolyn drabble and June is less than a month away - bounce bounce (sorry starting to seem like Tigger)

 

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