Antonia Forest fans - have you seen this?

[RustyBear]

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!

Try GGBP, They usually say on their site if things are out of print and they have not said this is. They usually send very quickly too.......

They do send very quickly (have been satisfied customer before :))

Got mine today, read it cover to cover. I will also wait to do feedback until there is no chance of spoiling it for others.

For me it was trying just a little bit too hard and I feel the author maybe felt obliged to be a bit constrained to tried-and-tested plot ideas / dialogue - I think if she could spread her wings a bit more if there is another one - without going mental and making Nick a contestant on X-Factor or similar - she could end up with a more authentic 'voice' in the story.

It could never have the authenticity of a true Antonia Forest but it was a hugely compelling and enjoyable read - and such a joy to have a glimpse back into that world.

Spring Term is available again through Badger Books. We sold out of our first tranche very quickly, but have replenished stocks from the publishers.

Well despite Amazon saying it would be beginning of December before it was sent out, I got a dispatch email either yesterday or the day before. Means it will arrive here when I'm away but at least it will be here when I get back again :)

It just arrived :)

However need to tidy house and get ready to go to a Brownie sleepover tonight (ie me being a Guider). Will take it with me on the train down south tomorrow :)

I have just read it and loved it. The writer captures AF's style very well - there were only a couple of times when I thought ' that doesnt sound like her'. Everything I wanted to happen, did. But can't help thinking that AF wouldnt have given me everything I wanted - she had a habit of NOT doing so, and I think this unpredictability was what made her stand out as a children's writer.

Yes, I agree. I think (sorry for the mini-spoiler) that the author was harder on Ginty than AF would be because she's the Amy March (out of Little Women) of the story, i.e. nabs off with the bloke everyone knows should really be destined for Our Heroine (Jo March/Nick). I think AF would have relished annoying her readers with another story in which the Patrick-Ginty-Nick triangle was not really resolved but, whilst it wasn't all hearts and flowers, it was decidedly Ginty 0 Nick 1 by the end, with a lack of subtlety I don't think she would quite have appreciated.

Also - utterly trivial continuity question but it saves further spoilers - doesn't Patrick talk about taking Regina with him to school? I thought Regina had escaped some books before?

Patrick got Regina back at the beginning of The Thuggery Affair - about a year, in Marlow time, before Spring Term - not sure he would have left her at school quite so casually at half term though

Sphil - I know what you mean about AF not giving the reader everything they want - there were a couple of bits (not going into detail because of spoilers) where I thought everything was going too smoothly and it was bound to go wrong, but it never did.

I think there was a bit too much 'corroborative detail' in places, a little too much evidence that the author knew their stuff, but it was nevertheless very enjoyable, and I hope she writes more.

Ah, I've not read the Thuggery Affair for some reason.

Shall I start a spoiler thread? I am itching to discuss the book in more detail :)

Am part way through :) I think you should start a spoiler thread and then I will join in with it when I finish :)

I think you should start a spoiler thread too.....I have finished my copy (now on third reading.....)

Yes, do - I'll join!

Spoiler Thread - sorry for the delay in putting it up!