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Original poster

Chalet school Books

60 replies

deaddei · 22/10/2009 21:33

Just been browsing Amazon (like you do) and seeing these took me back 40 years. I loved the series so much - I seem to remember there were dozens of them and I owned every one. Why didn't I keep them? I must get some for dd (and me!)

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mrsmike · 23/10/2009 22:23

oh and they always had coffee and cakes in the afternoon, how civilised that seemed, how envious I was, remeber that?!

seeker · 23/10/2009 22:14

58!

Yorky · 23/10/2009 21:23

Think there were over 50 chalet school books, my mum has them all, and lots of EJ Oxenham/Abbey girl books. I enjoyed Malory towers - what is it about girls school books?
All the nice/main chalet characters had swarms of kids IIRC

tvaerialmagpiebin · 23/10/2009 21:14

Ratherbeonthepiste if you are ever thinking of getting rid of your Antonia Forest books, I would love to take them off your hands (for spondoolicks, of course ) as I am currently ADDICTED.

Am going to have to re-read Chalet School and Malory Towers too soon.

PrincessFiorimonde · 23/10/2009 21:05

Yes, loved the Chalet School books too. Don't think I read them all - weren't there a lot of them?

I seem to remember thinking it was a bit unrealistic when Joe(?) had dozens of children, including twins and triplets - or have I misremembered? (Apart from the triplets, mentioned earlier.)

What was her sister called, and didn't she have lots of kids too?

Wasn't there one when they all escaped from the Nazis through a tunnel, and by the time they reached the end of the tunnel the headmistress's hair had turned completely white from the trauma of it all?

hackneybird · 23/10/2009 18:07

I loved The Chalet School too - I was inspired to buy some older titles from ebay after a trip to Innsbruck but I never got round to reading them.

I might go and fish them out now.

ADifferentMe · 23/10/2009 09:12

My ungrateful DDs refused point blank to read the ones I've bought in charity shops having given away my huge collection once I thought I was too old.

My happiest memories are of being left alone when my parents were working in the school holidays with just a biscuit tin and a new Chalet School book.

cleanandclothed · 23/10/2009 09:03

No Antonia Forest is much 'richer'. The 'good' characters are flawed, the 'bad' characters have redeeming features and don't always get their come uppance, and there is quite a bit of cross referencing other books because the main characters are wide readers, but it is subtle so if you don't pick up on it it doesn't matter. 8 is maybe slightly young for them - 10 or 11 would be perfect.

thedollyridesout · 22/10/2009 22:42

DD 8 has read and reread Malory Towers. Is Antonia Forest just as tame then?

dearprudence · 22/10/2009 22:30

I just read Last Term at Malory Towers (picked up on a charity stall this summer). After 30 odd years, I was amazed how incredibly familiar it was!

CMOTdibbler · 22/10/2009 22:21

If you are thinking about buying some, could I recommend buying direct from GGB ? The ladies who run it are lovely, and their reprints are unabridged

RatherBeOnThePiste · 22/10/2009 22:13

Lady GP - Cricket Term too!!!

Also had Peter's Room plus some others - still got them somewhere. DD 12 read Malory Towers obsessively for a while but not nearly as good as Antonia Forest methinks.

piscesmoon · 22/10/2009 22:11

I haven't even seen one since I was a DC. I loved them and even belonged to the club-I can't remember what it was called, but you got a news letter. It would be interesting to see what I think of them as an adult.

Original poster
deaddei · 22/10/2009 22:10

Well I can feel an Amazon order coming on tomorrow. What a nice way to start halfterm!!!

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 22/10/2009 22:09

I loved Antonia Forest - her stories were about the Marlow sisters, hawking as well I seem to think.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 22/10/2009 22:07

Autumn Term - best school story ever written according to my DD and me. Also End of Term.

Original poster
deaddei · 22/10/2009 22:04

Ooh Antonia Forest- doesn't ring a bell?

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LadyGlencoraPalliser · 22/10/2009 22:00

Seeker, my DD is exactly the same. Loves Antonia Forest (and Angela Brazil and Malory Towers) won't touch the Chalet School,

Elk · 22/10/2009 22:00

If you like the chalet school books then you should have a look at www.the-cbb.co.uk for lots of discussions of the books and lots of fanfic. It is probably best not to look if you are a Joey or Mary-Lou fan.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 22/10/2009 21:58

Some of them cost a fortune now - I have 38 at last count, but most of the rest are completely out of my price range. Even the GGBP titles go out of print really fast, as they do quite limited print runs. On the other hand, you can pick up job lots of the more common titles very cheaply on Ebay.

blametheparents · 22/10/2009 21:53

deaddei - Lovely to hear of another Sue Barton fan

I'm gonna look for those in the loft too, bet they are desperately old fashioned

fishie · 22/10/2009 21:47

it is a dread fascination. the chalet school is horrible and all the characters are hateful. but ebd is a very compelling writer.

snickersnack · 22/10/2009 21:47

No 2. The way all the children have been trained to "instant obedience". Or maybe that's me failing as a parent...

cleanandclothed · 22/10/2009 21:45

Things that make you realise EBD knew nothing about small children.....

No. 1 - in Chalet School goes to it/at War, when after crossing the channel and getting really sick Joey is forced to 'stop feeding the triplets herself - besides they look so sweet with cups and spoons'. Breastfeeding triplets? She wouldn't have been swanning all over the place like she has been doing for the past few months then!!

Anyone else?

Original poster
deaddei · 22/10/2009 21:44

Well what a nostalgic thread! Angela Brazil and Sue Barton- I loved Sue Barton.

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