The Princess of the Chalet School
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#1: The Princess of the Chalet School Author: Josie, Location: London PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 10:10 am

No synopsis available I'm afraid. So what do you all think of this one? Who's your favourite character at this early stage? Do you like Elisaveta? Is the kidnappping just too far-fetched, or did you find it exciting? What do you think of Cosimo as a villain? Exactly how evil is Matron Besley? Do the SSM's exploits amuse you? Ever tried putting snails on a windowpane to see if the trick really works? What do you think of Madge's wedding? And Joey's honour in Belsornia at the end? Anything else (sure there's something but my mind's gone blank!!)

 

#2: Re: The Princess of the Chalet School Author: Rachel, Location: West Coast of Scotland PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 1:10 pm

Josie wrote:
And Joey's honour in Belsornia at the end?


The image of Joey wearing a beautifully cut white frock, white gloves, white shoes, white hat and black stockings makes me snigger every time I read it!!!

 

#3:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 1:18 pm

Your signature makes me do exactly the same thing, RTW! Wink (Not the Russian bit, the English one.)

 

#4: Re: The Princess of the Chalet School Author: RuthY, Location: Anyone's guess PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 4:11 pm

Rachel wrote:
Josie wrote:
And Joey's honour in Belsornia at the end?


The image of Joey wearing a beautifully cut white frock, white gloves, white shoes, white hat and black stockings makes me snigger every time I read it!!!


*agrees*

the kidnapping is very far fetched Exclamation Exclamation Exclamation

Ruth

 

#5:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 4:26 pm

I always think of that scene in Belsornia when I see Luke Skywalker go to get his medal at the end of StarWars 6! the trouble with that is that I see Elisaveta as Carrie Fisher with the earphones - which are Joey's trademark later. Any chance George Lucas was a closet CS fan.

(If you're on the board, George, episode 3 was really good and I'm waiting for 7, 8 and 9. Given that we're both in our 60's I suggest you get a move on. We can neither of us wait 28 years for the next one!)

I think EBD felt the need to spread her wings and try an adventure story at that point. It's as unlikely as any such story and I read it in that spirit. It's not one I would ever read out of sequence. I felt sorry for Elisaveta later when she is dragged out of school to go back and be 'groomed for the succession'. Especially as she then got kicked out by Hitler.

 

#6:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 8:34 am

As a chld I loved this book and re-read it until it literally fell apart

Re-reading it as an adult, it seemed much more far fetched - Joey dashing off to the rescue and them not telling Madge about meeting Cosimo, but EBD was writing for children not adults. Also the coincidence that Dr Tracey just happened to know someone who sent his daughter to the CS Rolling Eyes (and any guesses on who that was?)
As for Miss Webb, as a child, I felt that Madge would have taken 1 look at her and then dismissed her on the spot - or at least after the first few days. I think I felt let down by Madge not taking action sooner - or by not ensuring that the right sort of person was engaged as Matron (regardless of the fact that would mean a large hole in the plot Very Happy )

Defintiely not one of my real favourites now, but at least it does try to be different - and after all, we all complain enough about plot devices being repeated Very Happy

 

#7:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 10:20 am

When I read this when I was younger it seemed to be such an adventurous thing for Jo to go dashing off to the rescue like that now reading as an adult I think how stupid.

Also as an adult I cannot figure out why the King and Crown Prince sent Elisaveta without some kind of bodyguard, I know they wanted Elisaveta to be incognito for a while but there could have been someone in the area.

I think Madge should have done something about Matron Webb sooner than she did but perhaps she thought the atmosphere of the school would rub off on her.

This is not one of my read alone books though I do read it in sequence. My favourite scene is the founding of the SSM.

 

#8:  Author: Joey, Location: Cambridge PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 11:25 am

This is the second CS book I read (after Island - talk about confusing!), so I have a soft spot for it.

I think this (and The School by the River) was EBD's attempt at a "Ruritanian" adventure in a school setting, and as such it's no less far-fetched than any others of the genre!

Madge was naive about Matron Webb, but she took her on in good faith, and wanted to give her a chance to settle in and prove herself. There's always a risk in taking on agency employees (says the person who manages an agency!). I think this is one of those times when Madge's youth and inexperience counted against her. She was actually very lucky that it hadn't happened before!

I also won't read this out of sequence, but I do enjoy it.

 

#9:  Author: Miriam, Location: Jerusalem, Israel PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 11:44 am

There is a lot of plot about Matron Webb, but when you look at it she was only there for something like two weeks (as opposed to Matron Besley who lasted an entire term). Other than giving her a cup of tea and sending her back to England on the spot (whgich would have been pretty mean, and possibly caused problems if the CS ever needed to use an agency again), Madge couldn't have got rid of her much faster.

 

#10:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 11:50 am

Dawn wrote:
Also the coincidence that Dr Tracey just happened to know someone who sent his daughter to the CS Rolling Eyes (and any guesses on who that was?)


I thought it was Robin's dad, Captain Humphries? I think something was said abuot the child being delicate, which is why I thought that.

 

#11:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 12:07 pm

Kate wrote:
Dawn wrote:
Also the coincidence that Dr Tracey just happened to know someone who sent his daughter to the CS Rolling Eyes (and any guesses on who that was?)


I thought it was Robin's dad, Captain Humphries? I think something was said abuot the child being delicate, which is why I thought that.


I always assumed that too - probably on one of his spying missions!

 

#12:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 12:12 pm

This was the very first chalet school book I ever read - parents got it as a way to wean me off Enid Blyton! As such it does have a special place in my heart. As a child the plot all seemed perfectly logical - even to the thunderbolt. As an adult - the Matron Webb thing was understandable to an extent - Webb was new, and obviously had no respect for the young headmistress. like others I'm surprised that it all happened over just two weeks - when they had other unsuitable Staff they had problems getting rid of them - Matron Besley and Miss Bubb.

Re the whole kidnapping thing - to a certain extent the actual kidnapping was fairly subtle - after all Elisaveta thinks she is going with friends, she goes willingly. The thing I can't understand is why neither of them thought to tell someone in authority???? Still, wouldn't be much of a book if they did!

I enjoy the book, and will read it on its own. The plots that later appear tired - thunderbolt and SSM are fresh and new in this one.

Last edited by Lesley on Tue May 24, 2005 3:54 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#13:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 1:33 pm

This was one of the books which I would search high and low for when I was younger. I eventually found it in a second hand book shop with loads of CS books when I was about 10 or 11, it often haunts me that I was only aloud to buy three books from that shop... Sad
I like Princess, the kidnapping plot is a tad unbelievable but is nothing compared to the plot in Redheads! I wish that we saw more of Juliet as HG in this book, she rarely appears.

 

#14:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 2:16 pm

Kate wrote:
Dawn wrote:
Also the coincidence that Dr Tracey just happened to know someone who sent his daughter to the CS Rolling Eyes (and any guesses on who that was?)


I thought it was Robin's dad, Captain Humphries? I think something was said abuot the child being delicate, which is why I thought that.



Oooh!!! Thank you Kate! I've always wondered who it could have been, and this makes sense!

 

#15:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 2:38 pm

Vikki wrote:
Kate wrote:
Dawn wrote:
Also the coincidence that Dr Tracey just happened to know someone who sent his daughter to the CS Rolling Eyes (and any guesses on who that was?)


I thought it was Robin's dad, Captain Humphries? I think something was said abuot the child being delicate, which is why I thought that.



Oooh!!! Thank you Kate! I've always wondered who it could have been, and this makes sense!


I always thought it was Mr Stevens - with Amy as the delicate one and that Margia was just ignored in the conversation. But this is likely very wrong.

 

#16:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 2:53 pm

Is the bit about being delicate in the hardback? I only have a paperback of Princess and it says

Quote:
She is an only child - and motherless


I always tried to work out who it was by saying, who falls into this category?

Robin, Grizel, and probably lots of others.

It also says Dr Tracy's friend has just sent his daughter there so could she perhaps be a new pupil the same term as Elisaveta?

OR.... She could be an EBDism and not even exist, other than as a way for Dr Tracy to know about the school.

 

#17:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 4:33 pm

Quote:
`I have a friend who has just sent his daughter to a school in the Austrian Tyrol. It is quite a big school, I am told, run by an English girl. It is up in the mountains, beside the Tiern See, and is just the very thing we need – if his Majesty will give his consent.’
‘The Tiern See? I went there once – when I was on my honeymoon. I remember it well. It was very beautiful and ringed round with mountains. So there is a school there now? A good school?’
‘Very! I am sure of that, or my friend would never have sent his child there. She is an only child – and motherless.’


You're right, that is all it says, even in HB.

I must have imagined the delicate part. It still suggests Robin to me, though, perhaps just because Captain Humphries was most likely to know Dr Tracey... he's the most likely to be in Belsornia, I suppose. Smile

I don't think Grizel would fit really, she has a step-mother, and her father doesn't seem particular concerned with her welfare and wouldn't strike me as the type of person who would chat about her school to random friends. Laughing

I did wonder at one stage if it could be Evadne, though?

I don't suppose EBD expected us to really care about who it was, so I guess we can come to our own conclusions.

 

#18:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 5:00 pm

It can't be Evvy. Her mother is definitely still alive.

 

#19:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 5:07 pm

Vikki wrote:
It can't be Evvy. Her mother is definitely still alive.


lol Ok! Must be Cornelia I'm thinking of then, and it can't be her, as she doesn't arrive til Head Girl.

 

#20:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2005 10:16 pm

I suspect it's the same as the mystery sister of the brother who saves Frieda, Friedel and Bruno. Later it's said to be Emmie and Joanna Linders, but this doesn't fit with the details provided in Exile. I dare say it was just something that occurred to EBD at the time...

 

#21:  Author: Pado, Location: Connecticut, USA PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2005 2:22 am

This was my very first chalet book too and therefore I refuse to find any fault with it whatsoever. Very Happy

 

#22:  Author: jennifer, Location: Taiwan PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2005 10:38 pm

This is the book where I begin to wonder why Madge doesn't get a leash for Joey. In School, she runs off after Grizel without telling Madge. In Jo of, she runs off after Rufus, and sneaks out to the ice carnival. In this book, she heads off into the mountains after kidnappers. You think by this point, she'd have gotten the message that she shouldn't run off from school into a dangerous situation without telling anyone, even if it is in a good cause.

I like Elisaveta - she's a nice, friendly girl who has obviously not been spoiled by her station in life. Her eagerness to fit into the school is quite engaging, and her disgust with Matron's behaviour is amusing.
I agree that Madge's inexperience plays against her with the new Matron - she's had really good luck with staff, and hasn't had to deal with interpersonal difficulties. When Matron's initial refusal to follow the rules and treat Madge with respect became apparent, she should have made it clear that she was on probation, and her future employment would depend on her behaviour.

I didn't like Madge's argument to Joey that it was good to have Matron around, because things had been going too smoothly until then. I've also never been a fan of the idea that you have to respect authority figures regardless of their behaviour. The girls have to put up with blatantly unfair, biased, and rude behaviour from Matron, and they are basically told to smile and swallow it, because she's the Matron. However, if they talk back, they are punished in order to maintain discipline.

 

#23:  Author: Kirstie, Location: Ayrshire PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2005 4:23 am

I always have a soft spot for this book as it is the first one I ever read in hardback. Rereading it I do find it far fetched although as a 12 year old I thought it was very exciting. Now I think why did they not tell anyone about meeting Cosimo. Jo's continual running off without saying must be why her own kids are trained to obedience.

 

#24:  Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:08 am

Susan wrote:
I think Madge should have done something about Matron Webb sooner than she did but perhaps she thought the atmosphere of the school would rub off on her.


What always amazes me is so much happens before the dismissal of Matron Webb, but actually it's only about two weeks into term when she leaves. I'm not sure Madge could have acted much sooner...

Quote:
"During the two brief weeks of her reign the girls had been trying and naughty in the extreme. She had set them a bad example in respect to the mistresses, and their language and English accent had shown signs of deterioration."


Caroline.

 

#25:  Author: Ruth, Location: Physically: Lincolnshire, England. Inwardly: The Scottish Highlands PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2005 10:21 am

I like this one. I like the SSM being formed. Matron Webb is awful. I think that she should have been sent away very very soon. It is possible that none of the staff actually realised how bad she was until when they did (if you know what I mean) as Matron probably behaved super-sweet in Madge's presence. What do you think of the way she refuses to call her Madame as the others do? I think that my most favourite part was Jem and Madge's wedding. I wish EBD went into more detail. After all it was Madame getting married!!!

I really like Elisaveta. She comes over as a very believable character. She has definitely not been spoiled although being a princess and I like the way she joins in with the other in the SSM.

The kidnapping - not far-fetched. Someone like Cosimo would rankle over his position in the Court and his relationship with the King and the Crown Prince. Also with the way the people love their princess.

I am glad Joey is honoured by the Belsornian people and I love the way bumptious Joey is actually shy!

 

#26:  Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 8:20 pm

Like others, Princess was one of the first CS books I read, and certainly the first one I actually owned. As such there will always be a place in my heart for it. I still love it, and find it difficult to find fault with (but then I''m one of the few who actually liked Redheads!). I do find Matron Webb to be one of the most annoying characters ever written - I want to reach into the book and slap her! - and I was really surprised to find out she was only there for two weeks. I also liked Juliet as HG and I was always disappointed there wasn't more of her in the books as she was one of my favourite early characters. And I also used to think that Joey's honour in Belsornia was really cool and would have loved to be in the same situation, being adored by a whole country! As a child, I never understood why Joey didn't go to take her place as lady in waiting!

Elisaveta firmly places herself as one my favourite characters in this book, and she's another girl I wish we'd seen more of. Basically, I just love the book!

 

#27:  Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 6:47 pm

This is one of my favourite books in the series, as EBD has successfully crossed over to a different genre. Elisaveta is an entirely believable heroine because EBD has drawn her simply and refrained from unnecessary elaboration. Dawn, I don’t think it’s entirely unbelievable that Dr. Tracy knew someone who had sent his daughter to the CS. They were all part of an ex-pat community on the continent, the CS was an entirely new type of undertaking (it says so in School At) in that it was the only English school on the continent and because of this it was famous. Also, don’t forget that it already had a number of daughters of the nobility there. I’m sure they thought that it was the absolute only option in the circumstances.

Agreeing with all those who pointed this out, I find it hard to believe that Madge would ask Joey to keep an eye on her. I mean, Joey has a track record of going off by herself and not bringing things to Madge’s attention, such as Grizel and the Tiernjoch. Why should she do anything differently now? And surprise surprise, she doesn’t. It’s only because Joey is Madge’s sister that her and Elisaveta become close at all – throughout the book (and later on, in Camp too) Elisaveta is more drawn to younger, more physical people, like Margia and Evadne. There is the fact that she shares a dormitory with Joey but this still wouldn’t account for their relationship, were it not for the fact that Joey was asked to watch Elisaveta and thus ends up with her on the mountain.

The kidnapping wasn’t too far-fetched and the genius of it was the way that EBD inlaid the event with references to the Guides and their various skills. Cosimo, too, is real in my eyes. EBD wrote him from a few different perspectives. I especially like the description of him as a member of the Monte Carlo jet-set who was very interested in his fashion and good looks.

The fact that Madge’s wedding took place in a schoolroom irked me. It was as if EBD was afraid to leave that setting. There’s no reason why the wedding shouldn’t have taken place either outdoors in the garden, or in the nearest Protestant chapel. It would even have worked out handier for them in the end if they had had to go to Seespitz or Innsbruck for the wedding as they ended up having to rush off there for the train anyway.

Unlike some of you, this is one I would make an effort to pick up out of sequence and read for comfort. I think that the King’s final acknowledgement of Elisaveta as Belsornia’s future queen is a triumph of feminism for EBD rather than a burden on the girl – she is very capable of taking on the mantle, especially as we see her grow into the exemplar woman that she does.

 

#28:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:10 pm

Róisín wrote:
It’s only because Joey is Madge’s sister that her and Elisaveta become close at all – throughout the book (and later on, in Camp too) Elisaveta is more drawn to younger, more physical people, like Margia and Evadne.


I'm not sure thats true, isn't there a line somewhere that Margia was "not the type of child to appeal to" Elisaveta...?

*runs off to check*

ETA: Yes, here it is:

Quote:
Margia was not a special friend of hers, and she could see no reason why she should mention anything so private as the sudden appearance of a bodyguard for her – especially as he had said that Miss Bettany had asked for one for her. Elisaveta thought that she might perhaps tell Joey about it, but no one else. She felt a great liking for the Head’s sister, but Margia was not the type of child to appeal to her. Joey, who was outwardly so matter-of-fact and inwardly so highly imaginative, who was deeply poetical in feeling, made a great demand on her as an ideal kind of schoolgirl.


Also (and sorry if I'm being hugely nitpicky!) I doubt the CS was the only English school on the continent... I know in Agatha Christie books, the young girls are always heading off to English schools in Switzerland and France.

I agree with the rest of what you've said though!

 

#29:  Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:21 am

Didn't they tend to be more like finishing schools, though, rather than normal boarding schools?

And yes, I always got the impression that Elisaveta was more in with the quintetty group (not sure if they actually were the quintette then) than with Joey, though I'm not sure why. Certainly they were closer to her in age. I think EBD couldn't let a main character (and a princess, forsooth!) not be best buds with Joey.

 

#30:  Author: *Aletea*, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:48 am

In later years, when Veta comes back (for the boat regatta?) she makes a special point of seeking out Margia as they were good friends. I think...?

 

#31:  Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 11:33 am

Kate wrote:
Also (and sorry if I'm being hugely nitpicky!) I doubt the CS was the only English school on the continent... I know in Agatha Christie books, the young girls are always heading off to English schools in Switzerland and France.


I'm only going on what was said in School At. It's repeated over and over again how it will succeed because it is an entirely fresh idea and something entirely new.

Re: Elisaveta's friends, I think that beyond that passage, her actions show me a lot more about who she was drawn to. I agree with Liss - It does irk me that EBD couldn't let there be a book where Joey was not the centre of attention.

 

#32:  Author: *Aletea*, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:56 pm

Hmm, a common complaint, unfortunately!

 

#33:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:30 pm

It annoys me that in the later books they can't even seem to go out for a walk without Joey appearing from Freudesheim at the same time. I would say that she needed to get a life, but she had 11 kids and a writing career and she still seemed to want to be in on everything that happened at the school!

 

#34:  Author: Kate, Location: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:31 pm

LOL.

I remember agreeing with that passage when I was little and thinking "yes, I'd much prefer to be friends with Joey than Margia!" Now, of course, I'm not so sure! Smile I might at least get noticed occasionally if i was friends with Margia. Smile

Quote:
Didn't they tend to be more like finishing schools, though, rather than normal boarding schools?

Not always... but I guess in EBD-land, you guys are right.

But along those lines I remember the little girl in Crooked House (Josephine) was going to be sent off to a school in Switzerland. Obviously (if you've read you know what I mean!) she doesn't eventually go, but it would have made for a great crossover if she went to the Chalet School. Smile "Two Josephines at the Chalet School - and one of them is insane... but which one?!"

 

#35:  Author: joelle, Location: lancashire, england PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:06 pm

thats so wierd Kate, ive just finished that one! now that could make an interesting drabble...josephine @ th cs... will she (or they?) survive?

 

#36:  Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire PostPosted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:57 am

Elisaveta seems to me too straightforward a character to fall in with the "complexities" of Joey.

 

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