#1: Short Story: Smells of Soot Author: Róisín, Location: IrelandPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:31 pm — Smells of Soot is one of EBD's short stories and can be found in the GGB Short Story Collection or online in transcript form here or here.
It was first published in 1948, in the Second Chalet Book for Girls,
the same year as Stepsisters for Lorna (there was no CS hardback
published that year).
The story is set in Plas Gwyn, when the triplets are four years old.
Joey leaves for the day with the triplets and Stephen, Primula and
Anna; Robin and Daisy are left at home alone. Joey warns the girls to
watch the morning room fire, because she thinks it may need sweeping.
The girls forget about the fire, of course, then fill it up quickly,
and an accident occurs.
So did you enjoy this story? It gives a nice glimpse into wartime
cooking, the way that Daisy and Rob talk about the ingredients. And we
get a photograph of their daily home life.
Next Sunday: The Chalet School and Robin
#2: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow, aka the land of boredomPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 10:24 pm — I think thats really quite good, as far as her short stories go...
#3: Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UKPosted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:39 pm — The thing that struck me about the story is that
when Jack comes home, Daisy and Robin have both had to wash their hair,
and have towels round their shoulders while their hair is drying - this
is so period, and reminds me of my own childhood, when hair was washed
far less frequently than today (often only fortnightly) and
hairwashing, in those days before showers, was a Big Deal!
#4: Author: Travellers Joy, Location: Middle of NowherePosted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:39 pm — Overall I didn't mind it but I really dislike
having the climax of the story pre-empted in the way this one is, with
Joey's warning. I much prefer the excitement to come unexpectedly but
as soon as I read Joey's warning, I knew what was going to happen.
