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Original poster

Any Antonia Forest fans out there?

142 replies

seeker · 18/05/2008 08:49

My dd likes Lawrie better than Nicky! Where did I go wrong?

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 19/05/2008 21:21

oh I am not sure
a few things have stuck from latest rereads but I don't know several titles well at all

IdrisTheDragon · 19/05/2008 21:20

I think Franny may win the quiz

FrannyandZooey · 19/05/2008 20:37

LOL that was Val Longstreet again! superb bit

FrannyandZooey · 19/05/2008 20:36

no Mrs didn't terribly did she? although it's possible she may have been being a bit disapproving of ALL Marlows because of Ginty?

tribpot · 19/05/2008 20:36

Yes, I think she was more of a snob than Mr Merrick.

I loved that bit when a prefect has to come to the common room and tell Nicola "your MP wishes to speak with you" - hilarious.

RustyBear · 19/05/2008 20:27

But Mrs Merrick didn't seem to like Nick that much either did she? (or so Nick thought anyway)

Probably though she would be one of those MILs who'd never think anyone was good enough for her son

FrannyandZooey · 19/05/2008 20:24

I think they rightly spotted that she was likely to end up a bit of a millstone rather than a supportive life partner

I think the class thing probably came into it, at least subconsciously
but you can't see Mr Merrick being so snooty about Nicola for example, can you? so I think it was more Ginty's personality

tribpot · 19/05/2008 20:17

I thought Merrick Pere et Mere didn't approve of Ginty because she's too flighty and shallow? (And not Catholic).

CapricaSix · 19/05/2008 13:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IdrisTheDragon · 19/05/2008 12:05

I can't quite imagine Ann voting labour. But maybe she would surprise me.

Original poster
seeker · 19/05/2008 11:37

I don't think the class issues are "embedded", cockles - I think they are galloping all over the plot in hobnailed boots!

For example, I suspect that the reason Merrick Pere et Mere object to Ginty is that despite her background, she just isn't "quite our sort" Anthony Merrick is obviously an old school noblesse oblige type Tory - and I suspect that Ann is the token potential woolly minded libera; - maybe even labour voter!

OP posts:
livinglavidalurker2 · 19/05/2008 09:04

I am so disappointed - I have only read four of the school books, but reading all of your comments has made me want to read the rest. So, I went on the Essex libraries website thinking they are bound to have them, and they only have the Autumn Term! In the whole of Essex!

I am now going to ask every single person I meet from now on (other mums, postman, dentist etc.) whether they own any Antonia Forest and will lend them to me.

FrannyandZooey · 19/05/2008 08:52

am up for a quiz
this is the most lively AF thread we have had since I have been on MN, I think

cockles · 19/05/2008 08:40

There's a lot of clarrss issues embedded there, aren't there. Miranda & the Marlows are dreadful snobs, except possibly Ann - always saying things like 'Yvonne something, that common little soul in UVB'! Day girls are obviously infra dig. And Giles in his arran sweater sounds like the most godawful libertarian tory boy. (I do love them all tho)

MrsJohnCusack · 18/05/2008 23:35

the BOOKS even
the four main ones that used to be out in Puffin

MrsJohnCusack · 18/05/2008 23:33

I think I saw the MAstermind where someone did Antonia Forest

thanks v.much for the Peyton list franny. I read Fly by Night and teh Team way back when in my pony mad phase, but not the otehrs

am now off to spend loadsa cash ordering Antonia Forest books from the UK. MY slightly barmy 50 year old cousin (who works in a library) is a huge fan too and lent me the book to reread

colander · 18/05/2008 23:32

One of my favourite Lawrie bits is her chucking Ariel to get Caliban, and it not working twice (re Shepherd's boy), then the staff thinking she was super mature for it and giving her the prize. Which meant Nicola didn't have to leave school.

I'm waiting until I have forgotten the books a bit more (unlikely!) and then I'm going to read them all in order - Autumn Term through to Run Away Home. Might have to wait until DD2 is at school for that.

tyaca · 18/05/2008 23:11

idris - that's my esther! as a kid i always liked the names miranda better.

i have had fantasies (well, walking around daydreams) about meeting AF fans in RL but in all my life (or all my puff, as nicky'd say) it's never happened.

here's a thought. we could all set questions, like three each. how geeky'd that be?

mollymawk - you're thinking of the player's biy and the players and the rebels.

mollymawk · 18/05/2008 22:51

Wow, just seen this and it is revivng my hazy memories.
I am obviously uber-conventional as I liked Nicola better than Lawrie, liked Rowan best of all and wanted to be Tim.
And I did like the ones (or just one? must look this up) about Nicholas Marlow (?) and Shakespeare.

IdrisTheDragon · 18/05/2008 22:50

And I just looked at the pictures of your DD and she looks lovely

IdrisTheDragon · 18/05/2008 22:49

I would love to do a quiz

tyaca · 18/05/2008 22:43

and i'm from bedfordshire. spooky times. and yet you evade my call to quiz. hmmphhh.

IdrisTheDragon · 18/05/2008 22:35

tyaca, your user name is v similar to my surname .

tyaca · 18/05/2008 22:22

lol cockles at AF AIBU threads

PLEASE lets do a quiz. pretty please

IdrisTheDragon · 18/05/2008 22:13

I like Miranda. And Jan Scott.

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