The CBB :: View topic - Jane and the Chalet School

#1: Jane and the Chalet School Author: Rachael,

Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:16 am

A summary of this book may be found here Starters for discussion: Fave/worst scenes? How does Jane develop throughout the book? What do you think of Jack's behaviour? How is Len shaping up? Did you feel that you wanted to see more of Jose Helston? Anything else?

#2: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:20 pm

I have to say at the start, that this is probably one of my least favourite books. If I'm reading the series in order, more often than not, I'll skim this one. Favourite scene would probably be Jane giving the seniors some impromptu acting lessons. Worst scenes would be anything with Jack's bullying in. I don't think that particularly Jane develops that much throughout the book. Her basic character is much the same at the end of the book, as it is at the beginning (apart from learning to concentrate alongside other girls.) This was probably because most of the problems stemmed from Jack, and not the new girl's attitude, like many of the books. I do think that Jack's behaviour in this is really appalling, she came across as proud, selfish and self-centered. Jack wasn't one of my favourite characters before this, and after I read this book, she never really redeemed herself in my eyes, despite later books. I really think that she should have been stamped on much more heavily, but the general opinion seems to have been, 'it's Jack in one of her moods, let's leave her', kind of thing. She also gets away with horrendous bullying with out even apologising about it afterwards. I was not impressed at that Evil or Very Mad

Len still seems to be heading towards headgirlship here. I don't think there was any real character development for her in this story, other than being Jack's conscience. I quite liked Jose, I always liked Elisaveta and it's nice to see her daughter in here and being a good friend for Jane. It would have been nice to see more of her, but she was another one of those characters that EBD moved to the front stage in one book and then disappeared almost completely. I do like Maeve in this one as Head Girl, the way she dealt with Jack and Jane after the car fight was really good. Even the Triplets couldn't believe that it was their cousin Smile

I'd have liked to have seen more of Maeve, but this book was predominantly focusing on Len dealing with Jack, rather than the Head Girl. Just some of my thoughts Star Wars

#3: Author: Ruth, Location: Lincolnshire, England

Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 12:26 pm

My favourite scene would have to be when Jane and Jack have their fight over the car and Maeve sorting it out. Another favourite is Jack caught in the tree!!! Jack is not one of my favourite characters and I don't like her even more after reading this one. I like Jane and like to see the way she develops throughout the book. I always like Elisaveta and was glad to see Jose as a friend of Jane's. All in all, although I enjoy the book it is not one of my favourites.

#4: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2004 7:56 am

Hmm…. Jane herself: not particularly memorable save for the excess of “darlings” (or are they da-a-hlings?) José: I might not have noticed her except for wondering how a girl came to be given a Spanish boy’s name – until it came out that she was Elisaveta’s daughter (assume named for Jo) Jack: Though I became fond of her in Leader, in most of this book I wanted to strangle the irrational little bully. Even the traditional rescue doesn’t sort her! That said, I do like the matter-of-fact way she and Jane reconcile in the end, and find Len’s illuminating little speech on the why of Jack’s feelings quite logical. Other favorite parts of this book include the scene in which Hilda is determined to inform Jane of her mother’s accident despite “Fardy’s” orders, and Joey’s lady opener speech (complete with Bill’s murderous glare). In view of Lulie’s drabble, it was interesting rereading the part about Tom!

Quote:

P.S. Expect a shock in the near future!!!

Vocab: Do you guys really say “wing through it” rather than “wing it,” or has the idiom merely changed over time? Did Maeve really win a silver vase in a “smelling competition”? If so, what would it be: “Guess that smell?” Or had she doused herself with scent? Confused

#5: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2004 7:55 pm

In a lot of ways, I quite liked this. I was well and truly grown up when I t was written and sympathised with Jack who didn't 'fit'. Probably becuse she had 'an enquiring mind' - which was the kindest thing my school ever said of me Shocked

Jane was so much of an opposite that it was inevitable that they clashed and that was probably what EBD intended but I did like the way it was sorted in the end. I think I would have reacted to Jane in the same way Jack did - I still cringe at OTT gushing behaviour. I don't really think Jane would have been like that, at the time I thought EBD had gone with a stereotype and didn't really know how actors behave. then I met someone who was Jane to a 'T'. She wasn't an actor but would like to have been and hovered on the fringes - I often wondered if she had based her persona on Jane. I liked how Jane was so strong when the news about her parents came through and certainly agree with Hilda that she should be told. My favourite bit is Joey's speech. Not the best of the series but better than Redheads or Summer Term.

#6: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 5:21 pm

This is not one of my all time favourites. I don't like Jack's behaviour but I do sympathise with her at some points. Jane is her complete opposite therfore a clash is inevitable but bullying is never acceptable. Knowing Jack's nature the staff should not have allowed Jane near the car. I don't think Jane or Jack develop that much during the book. I too would have liked to have seen more of Josè Helston.

#7: Author: Dreaming Marianne, Location: Devon

Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:07 pm

I agree with PatMac about the steroetyping of actors. It really got my teeth on edge reading it recently - the only people I know who say "Dah-ling" are people who have never put a foot backstage.

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