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Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6400
Author:  JB [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:41 am ]
Post subject:  Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
The Feud in the Fifth Remove was published by the Girls Own Paper in 1931. It was reprinted by Lutterworth in 1949 (afaik this wasn’t abridged). In 1931, EBD also published The Chalet School and Jo.

This is the synopsis from the New Chalet Club site:

Philathea Marriott returns to the Abbey High School for the Christmas Term to discover that she and two of her friends, Dorcas Boyd and Dorinda Chesney have been moved up, but Agatha Finlayson is left in Upper Fourth. Two new girls, Beatrice and Brenda Lowe (no relation) are also members of the Fifth Remove.

It soon becomes clear that Brenda, who is from a wealthy family, looks down on the girls who are not well off, and opposes the school atmosphere that is 'utterly unsnobbish'. She is particularly contemptuous of Philathea, whose father owns a bookshop, and of Beatrice, who won a scholarship to the school.

A feud erupts between Brenda and her friends, including Lotty and Adeline, the most badly behaved girls in the school, and the rest of the form. Several conflicts occur within the form, including Philathea's selection of the netball team, and outside it, as Brenda and her friends defy the prefects, including Vida, Philathea's sister.

Matters come to a head when a quarrel between Brenda and Philathea leads to a terrible accident, but the term ends happily when the feud is ended.

Did you enjoy this book?
Are the main characters well developed?
How does the High School compare to the other days schools about which EBD writes?
Miss Heriot, the Head, maintains a “watching brief” over the strike because she has “ideas on the subject of responsibility which she insisted on being carried out”. Do you think it’s reasonable to place so much responsibility on the prefects?
Do you feel that the punishments given to the ringleaders of the strike are fair?

I haven’t been able to find a transcript (if anyone has one, I’d be really grateful if they could PM me). I had a look on Amazon and the most expensive copy there is £608. :shock:

Next week’s discussion is on The Little Marie Jose (and again, a transcript doesn’t seem to be available).
Author:  Caroline OSullivan [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
JB wrote:
Quote:
I haven’t been able to find a transcript (if anyone has one, I’d be really grateful if they could PM me). I had a look on Amazon and the most expensive copy there is £608.


I sold a copy on Ebay last month and it only went for £7.50. Admittedly, it was an exlibrary tatty copy of the 1952 reprint but even so .... :? Just proves there are always bargains to be had :D
Author:  JS [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
I haven't read it, but it sounds rather good. What a name though - do you think it's one she forgot about when she wrote all the 'Phils' for Janeways?

Would also love a transcript if anyone knows of one.
Author:  Lexi [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
I think I was meant to be transcribing it and forgot :oops:

If anyone really wants to read it I'm quite happy to loan my copy out though!
Author:  claire [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
I could probably do the transcript if enough people are interested.

I did enjoy it, but whereas EBD seemed to go to great lengths to show they weren't snobby, when Philathea and her sisters are mocked for being children of a shopkeeper she makes it very clear its not a 'normal' shopkeeper and they have every right to be proud of their heritage

Nice to see how richer kids can't cope with cheap sweets though

And although EBD revisits the two girls with similar names and a slight confusion at least they aren't long long relatives
Author:  Lulie [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
I have this book and I have absolutely no memory of reading it! Time to get it off the bookshelf, methinks :D
Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
I've never read it, but I shall add my name hopefully to the list of those who would like a transcript! (Sadly I don't have a spare £600 under the mattress. Wish I did!)
Author:  JB [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
The cheapest copy on Amazon was only £25. I was surprised by the £600 copy but I recognise the seller as someone who tends to be expensive.
Author:  MJKB [ Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
I bought it last year secondhand hb, can't remember how much I paid for it. I really enjoyed it and thought it was very much in the style of the CS even to blame being attached to Phillathea for having being the victim of Brenda Lowe's bullying campeign against her.
Author:  mohini [ Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
I would like to put my name in the list of wanting a transcript.
Please.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Aug 14, 2009 2:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Books: The Feud in the Fifth Remove
I have a copy of this book and bought it for less than $20. Was wrapt with getting such a bargain! Can lend it to anyone who wants to use it to put it into a transcript. Would offer to scan it onto a computer and email it to Janice, but I don't know anyone with a scanner who could scan it onto a computer and I'm not a fast typer so it would take forever if I tried typing it out. Anyway the offers there.

Loved the book. Thought Miss Heriot was a wonderful Head who does come out with some wise comments and doesn't like to undermine her Prefects when the strike starts, and it's an amazing way to test the Prefects- nothing like what any Prefect at the CS had to face though Bride and co did a little with Diana. I do think Brenda is drawn well and her parents are idiots and not particularly good in the way they handle their daughter until it's too late. I also like the scene where Lotty and Adeline are tempted to either keep up with the strike with Brenda (as the leaders) and risk expulsion or throw it in and not be expelled. It shows how one moment of weakness can ruin a girls life. I think the punishment was fair. Lotty and Adeline had been in trouble so much whereas it was the first time for Brenda and she did have a hard time when she returned to the school after her suspension. I did feel sorry for Adeline as although Philameta and co take Brenda under their wing a bit, Adeline is left to her own devices. I often wonder if she and Lotty would have improved earlier if Phil and co had of befriended them.

I do think EBD wrote about snobbishness well her but not being English I do miss a lot of nuances the English pick up on so would be curious as to what the English CBBers make of that.

BTW Miss Heriot is described as red haired and loved by Junoirs, I know the book was published within a year or two of Jo Returns but I do wonder if EBD had that in mind as Polly's future career? :wink: :D
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