Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

Antonia Forest fans - have you seen this?

39 replies

RustyBear · 19/10/2011 16:31

I had an email today from Badger books (run by a Mumsnetter I believe) about a new GGBP book - a new Kingscote book set in the term after Run Away Home, written by a fan. Apparently it has been approved by Antonia Forest's Literary Editor, but I do wonder how true it will be to the original.

I have pre-ordered it, so I hope it lives up to the tradition!

OP posts:
MuddlingMackem · 19/10/2011 17:16

I've pre-ordered it too. Grin

ElaineReese · 19/10/2011 17:21

hurrah!
(I'll wait for my mum to buy it, then borrow it!)

DeWe · 20/10/2011 09:50

I got the email too Grin

Original poster
RustyBear · 21/10/2011 19:33

I will now be getting this and Elisabeth Sladen's autobiography at about the same time - which to read first?

OP posts:
MuddlingMackem · 30/10/2011 18:27

Has anyone else got their Kingscote book yet? Mine arrived in the post yesterday and, after picking it up just to look through it, I ended up reading the whole thing. Can't wait for that author to write another follow on. :-)

Original poster
RustyBear · 30/10/2011 19:01

No, I haven't got mine yet - hope it'll come tomorrow.

But I've now got the new Terry Pratchett to read too....

OP posts:
hels71 · 30/10/2011 20:33

I have mine...and have read it and think it's fantastic! It could have been written by AF and i really hope that she writes another one!!!

puzzlesum · 30/10/2011 20:36

Oh wow - I might have to break my rule of only buying eBooks for this one!

I am just totally jealous of the author.

HumphreyCobbler · 30/10/2011 20:38

Is it really any good?

I am deeply suspicious.

MuddlingMackem · 31/10/2011 00:07

I was sceptical about it but wanted to check it out anyway. I was very pleasantly surprised by what a gripping read it was and how much it was like reading one of the originals.

hels71 · 31/10/2011 10:18

I was also very sceptical...I was not sure I could read about Nicola etc in any voice but Antonia Forest's...but for huge chunks (Maybe even all of it) I forgot it was by someone else.......

HumphreyCobbler · 31/10/2011 20:55

I WANT to believe..

TarquinGyrfalcon · 31/10/2011 21:02

I preordered this but it hasn't arrived yet - I.m ridiculously nervous about reading it because I love all the books so much.

I've even considered typing them out so I can send them to my Kindle - sadly I am the worlds worst and slowest typist so it probably isn't a good idea

comixminx · 04/11/2011 20:29

Read my copy yesterday practically without stopping! I loved it though there were some slightly fanservice-y aspects to it: for instance Captain Marlow turns up and you get the impression the author wants to fit in as many AF characters as possible. That said, the scene with Captain Marlow is very funny and I laughed out loud several times!

Original poster
RustyBear · 04/11/2011 20:37

Mine still hasn't turned up yet Sad

OP posts:
TarquinGyrfalcon · 04/11/2011 22:52

Mine arrived yesterday and I've read it.

I enjoyed it but it made me realise how beautiful Antonia Forest's writing is - bits of it felt clunky compared to her prose.

There were also some bits where I didn't think characters were acting true to character (don't want to post details and spoil it for those who haven't read it)

I did realise that I am a true AF geek because there were so many instances in the book where the author had lifted dialogue/phrases from other AF books and they leapt out at me

MuddlingMackem · 04/11/2011 23:23

comixminx: Yes, the Captain Marlow scene was very funny.

I hope everybody's books turn up soon so that we can have a discussion without having to worry about spoilers.

ASuitableGirl · 04/11/2011 23:42

I was taken in by amazon reducing the price and claiming it would be sent on 1st November....and then sending an email saying it won't be dispatched until beginning of December :(

Maybe I should cancel the order and get it elsewhere - should probably have gone through GGBP in the first place.

BadgerBooks · 07/11/2011 10:35

Hi RustyBear,

Yes, at Badger Books we do sometimes tune into Mumsnet - I set up the book business when I was a full time SAHP, and it fits in with looking after the children now they are both at school.

Our stock of Spring Term came in late on Friday, and we were away over the weekend (we had a significant birthday in the family!) so we weren't able to catch up on posting out the pre-ordered copies. All pre-ordered copies are going out by first class post today (and by airmail to overseas customers - there are Antonia Forest fans all around the world), so hopefully will be with you tomorrow. Let me know what you think about it.

If anyone else is interested in a copy you can order them at www.badgerbooks.co.uk, along with many other reprinted collectable titles by authors such as Elinor Brent-Dyer, Elsie Oxenham and Violent Needham. The Spring Term page will probably be classed as a "pre-order" for a day or two, but only as we are catching up on processing orders before updating the website, so if you do order one it will go out straight away.

Best wishes,

Badger Books.

Original poster
RustyBear · 08/11/2011 17:34

Thanks - I just got home and found it waiting for me: just about to start reading.....

OP posts:
MooncupGoddess · 08/11/2011 17:37

LOL at Violent Needham (sorry Badger).

I feel a bit weird about this - it's all very well doing follow-on Chalet School books, as frankly EBD was a pretty generic writer, but Antonia Forest is just so amazing and individual. It's like doing a knock-off Charlotte Bronte novel.

But - will keep a look out for more reactions and if they're all very favourable will consider biting the bullet...

GretaGarble · 08/11/2011 17:49

I feel the sameish, Mooncup. I was browsing the Chalet School bulletin board the other day, after seeing the Val McDermid thing (can't get it on iPlayer where I am, irritating), and was reminded just how flawed a writer EBD was - which is not to say I didn't gobble up every Chalet School book I could get my hands on.

But Antonia Forest is a completely different proposition, her character were so strong, so real, her books so consistently good. It must have taken a brave or confident fan to undertake this. I've read Jane Austen follow-ons, written by excellent writers, and they just don't approach the authority of the original.

OK have feeling have stated the bleeding obvious, but am going to post anyway. Am also going to ORDER anyway!

GretaGarble · 08/11/2011 17:51

Ok actually have got the following message:
Error...
There is only 0 of Pre-order: Antonia Forest's Kingscote Spring Term by Sally Hayward in stock

I guess I deserved that! Sold out!

notcitrus · 08/11/2011 17:57

Is this the one based on the fanfic 'Esther's Term' that disappeared a while back?

ASuitableGirl · 08/11/2011 18:33

GGBP may have some left themselves. Think I may go down that route as concerned my amazon order may never actually come.

Swipe left for the next trending thread