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A Thrilling Term at Janeways
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Author:  Lottie [ Sun May 17, 2009 2:40 pm ]
Post subject:  A Thrilling Term at Janeways

A Thrilling Term at Janeways is one of EBD’s earliest books. It was first published in 1927, and was most recently re-printed by GGBP in 2005. It tells the story of several new girls, including the five Valentine sisters and the Tresillian twins, at Janeways School. Janeways is a school for girls whose parents are connected to the arts, and is situated in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The school is ninety-nine years old when we first visit it, and many of the current pupils are daughters of old girls. The school is full of traditions, including the “Keys”, when new girls have to perform in front of the whole school, and Spot Supper at the end of term. The plot contains many familiar story-lines – a girl who runs away, incidents in Prep., lost treasure, a secret passage and a burglary. There are descriptions of scenery and old buildings, and new girls are reformed to fit in with the way things are done at Janeways.

This is the blurb from the GGBP edition:-
Quote:
There was nothing very exciting about the first day of the new term - until the twins, Melody and Harmony, and the five Valentine sisters presented themselves! From then on there was no peace for the powers-that-be, or, it must be admitted, for the new-comers and Melody in particular. From the time of her adventure on the moors to the day when Black Sir Miles's sun-clock yielded its secret, the girls of Janeways' had all the excitement they could desire.

Are there too many unusual occurrences to ring true for one term? Do you like the way the younger girls set out to reform Melody and Philomela? What do you think about “Keys”? Was it a good way to assimilate new girls into the school? What do you think of the Valentine sisters’ (Philippa, Phyllida, Philomena, Philomela and Philadelphia) names? Do you think Mr. Valentine’s attitude to his daughters language and career prospects was reasonable? Do you like Janeways as much as the CS? Is A Thrilling Term at Janeways special, or is it just another run-of-the-mill boarding school story, of the type spoken of somewhat disparagingly by Joey in the early days of the CS?

A Thrilling Term at Janeways is the first of a linked pair of books. Discussion of the second one, Caroline the Second, will be in a few weeks time.

Lottie is still wearing an FD mod hat.

Author:  JayB [ Sun May 17, 2009 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

I have this somewhere, but I have rarely re-read it - unlike the CS, where I have re-read even the weakest books many times over.

I think EBD was still trying to find her voice here. The book is full of incident, but where EBD is perhaps trying for something new - as in the school's association with the arts, and the various traditions - it all seems to me to be rather forced, as if she's trying too hard.

The CS, on the other hand, feels genuinely fresh and original and natural. Of course we have the advantage of seeing the CS traditions develop over time.

I think Janeways was definitely the type of book EBD had in mind, and she was poking gentle fun at herself, when she had Jo 'like most very young writers' pick exotic names for her characters in Jo Returns, and cram her story full of drama and incident.

Author:  Cat C [ Sun May 17, 2009 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

I haven't read it, but JayB's assessment is interesting, given that it wouldn't seem to apply to Gerry Goes to School.

Does anyone know if Janeways was written earlier, but only published after EBD had had success with other books? I know this happens now - Jasper Fforde wrote the first of the Nursary Crimes books (at least) before the Thursday Next series, but couldn't get it published until later.

Author:  MJKB [ Mon May 18, 2009 10:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

I didn't read the above but I did get a copy of Carolinefrom GGBP. The school didn't appeal to me all, so I'm not likely to reread it or to bother buying Thrilling
I like exotic names in book within reason but the Valentine girls' names are ridiculous. On the other hand the twins, Melody and Harmony rather fascinated me and pompted me at the time to think of other musical terms you could use as names like Aria, Sonata, Cantata etc.
I've read and reread a few of EBD's other books, and I particularly enjoyed Carnation and Feud in the Fifth but Janeways had no appeal whatsoever for me as a school. I don't even like the name, Janeways.

Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue May 19, 2009 12:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

I didn't like Janeswys much at all but loved Caroline the Second. Now that it's pointed out that it was one of her first books, it makes all the things about the book I didn't like explainable. The book didn't flow in places and the whole incident with Melody ringing the bell kind of ended abruptly after such a big beginning. However, I loved the keys and thought it was a great concert and the incident with Philadelphia's hair. I thought that was hilarious. I also liked Harmony and her determination with being allowed to read the Senoir's books. I know I would have had a problem with being told you can't read the books too.

I am not particularly fond of Gerry Goes to School as it has very much the feel of EBD's first book but can see how EBD improved over the LaRochelle series and her middle books do seem to flow well when she hit her peak before dying off in her latter CS books. I'm curious as to what people think is her best book before you can see her slowly dying off?

Author:  JS [ Tue May 19, 2009 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

Fiona Mc wrote:
Quote:
I'm curious as to what people think is her best book before you can see her slowly dying off?


I'm not so sure that she did reach a pinnacle then tail off. She did tail off, certainly, but I think there were peaks and troughs along the way. For example, New Mistress is one of my favourites (although I don't like it as much as my earlier favourites) and I like Problem too - much prefer them to Bride or Changes, for example. I tend to get to Ruey in most read-throughs then am put off by the thought of Leader!

I quite enjoyed Janeways, but probably only through loyalty to EBD. I couldn't really be bothered with all the 'thrills' of the historical 'Black Sir Miles' stuff, but liked the school scenes. All the Phil names were a bit ridiculous, though, and I take the point made by JayB above that EBD probably did have her own early writing in mind in Jo Returns!

Author:  JB [ Tue May 19, 2009 6:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

I borrowed this from the FOCS library and then bought it when GGB reprinted but have never felt the urge to read it again. It's the only EBD i've felt like that about.

From what I can remember about Janeways, it was a mixture of school story and historical adventure, and it seemed very long. The name of the school made me think of Captain Janeway in Star Trek!

Good point about an early book. I do love Gerry Goes to School though.

Author:  JS [ Tue May 19, 2009 8:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

Quote:
Good point about an early book. I do love Gerry Goes to School though.



Me too, JB :)

Author:  MJKB [ Wed May 20, 2009 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

Feud in the Fifth and Carnation of the Upper Fourthare two of my favourite stand alones. Apart from the CS itself, both schools are interesting to read about, and they both have Hilda type Heads.

Author:  CBW [ Mon May 25, 2009 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

Hi

Does anyone have a copy of the transcript? I can't run to a GGB copy just now and I'd like to know what its like.

Author:  Simone [ Mon May 25, 2009 9:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

I think I have at work - I'll check tomorrow and let you know

Author:  Kathy_S [ Mon May 25, 2009 10:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A Thrilling Term at Janeways

I just read this one and thought it was a fairly good example of the school adventure genre. I'm reasonably sure that, as a kid, I'd have thought it much more exciting than digging pirate treasure out of the drains -- more engaging backstory, though rather lurid, and I liked the visits with the vicar and King Solomon. The one thing that disappointed me was the explanation for the bell. I was dead sure until the end that that it was the burglars whodunnit. If their presence wasn't cause and effect, I'm afraid I have to say there were too many coincidences.

Q: Did Kathie Ferrars come from Janeways?
Is the popular Miss Russell any relation to the clan?

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