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I have just blued £30 on Nicola bloody Marlow

192 replies

Failedspinster · 21/04/2015 22:13

Help me. I'm addicted. By hook or by crook I obtained two Antonia Forest paperbacks at low prices. It was not enough. Now I've just bought another for thirty sodding quid I can ill afford, comforting myself with the knowledge that I can always economise on clothes.

I know I am not alone. Please tell me your stories of absurd expenditure of money and effort to secure a favourite.

OP posts:
Bloodybridget · 21/07/2017 21:44

Oh, the joy of reading Autumn Term for the first time! I introduced a friend's daughter to it last year, and have ordered a copy of the GGB reissue of End of Term for her.

BroomstickOfLove · 21/07/2017 22:57

I confiscated it so she would go to sleep. She was on chapter 6. Smile

Witchend · 04/08/2017 19:46

The letter sent about Nicola leaving is in "The Cricket Term", I think. I hadn't really chosen between Nicola and Lawrie as favourites in "Autumn Term" (the only other one I'd read at that point).

But that letter immediately put me on Nicola's side. To be told that you're leaving because you're sensible and won't make a fuss seems just to sum up both Nicola and Lawrie's relationship with their family. Nicola is expected to put up because Lawrie will make more fuss. Lawrie is expected to make a fuss so they tiptoe round her.
Just like a real family. Grin

I don't find the head totally plausible as a character. The point where she gives Nicola an order mark just is so blatantly unfair, and her character is much more along the lines of "Virginia do not deflect blame onto others" in other occasions.
It reminds me of the point in "What Katie Did at School" where the head knows she's leaving so doesn't bother trying to be fair.

Bloodybridget · 07/08/2017 19:24

But it is refreshing to have a head teacher who isn't wise, charming, charismatic etc., don't you think? Especially in a boarding school novel?

Redsrule · 09/08/2017 15:04

Just seen that GGB are reissuing End of Term at the end of August. Solves the problem of a couple of Christmas presents.

BertrandRussell · 09/08/2017 15:08

"
But it is refreshing to have a head teacher who isn't wise, charming, charismatic etc., don't you think? Especially in a boarding school novel?"
I agree. Remember, she was a "forgettable river smell" to Rowan. And there is certainly evidence that the Staff don't rate her.....

pollyhemlock · 09/08/2017 19:23

Yes, I always think that Rowan's remark there is intended to show that school stuff, like who is in the team , which teacher said what, and so on, suddenly doesn't matter once you have left and moved on. Unless of course you are a dedicated Old Girl type for whom school was your happiest time ( I feel Val Longstreet would have been one of these). Miss Keith always reminds me of my own headmistress, a terrifying nun of a similar vintage..

NicolaMarlowsMerlin · 23/08/2017 13:51

Oh I love that this thread is active again. I confess I have all the books - combo of a late 70s/early 80s childhood/teenagerdom when the school ones were in print, and a lifetime of searching second hand stores and then online. I've also read that fanfic novel that was published last year or the one before, which I thought was good.

Masha was another fave, along with its sequel - the youngest lady in waiting. Again I now have copies of both - as a child I only ever had them out of the library.

I think the fact we can argue about Giles, Patrick etc just shows the genius of AF's writing. Her characters are flawed, and even the good guys act badly at times, or aren't really good guys at all. Even NIcola is shown to have her challenges when Tim has a go at her in that famous row. It's clear where AF's sympathies are, but she doesn't shy away from the complexity nonetheless.

Bloodybridget · 22/09/2017 17:54

I just got my new GGB copy of End of Term; am rather taken aback to see a reference to "Miranda the vivid little Jewess" in the blurb! I know she is described as having a "vivid little Jewish face" in the text, but this combination of words makes me feel uncomfortable - am I being silly? I'm giving a copy to a twelve year old, what will she make of it?

BellsaRinging · 06/02/2021 10:18

Thought I would revive this zombie thread to say that Ggb now have 'Ready Made Family' for order. So excited as this was one of the ones I didn't read as a child/moody teen!

blackwingedstilt · 06/02/2021 14:35

Thank you so much BellsaRinging, ordered straight away! I've just discovered Antonia Forest in the last few months (thanks to browsing on here) but had only found 3 of the term-time books at non-eyewatering prices.

Bloodybridget · 17/02/2021 23:28

RMF is terrific! I've ordered a GGB edition to make sure I have a spare in good condition.

BustopherPonsonbyJones · 26/02/2021 22:18

Good idea, Bloodybridget. I have one but a spare would be good. Did anyone read Sally Hayward’s Spring Term or know if she plans to write any more books about the Marlows?

MargaretThursday · 27/02/2021 19:20

I've read Spring Term and it's one of my favourite fill in books.

I've just bought The Marlows and the Traitors and really looking forward to reading it this evening.

BustopherPonsonbyJones · 27/02/2021 19:46

It’s good, Margaret. Characterisation is as sharp as ever. There’s a scene where Nick and Peter nearly get washed out to sea which I loved. Lots of Ginty too.

Are you a Noel Streatfeild fan too 🙂?!

MargaretThursday · 27/02/2021 19:57

@BustopherPonsonbyJones
Generally a children's fiction book fan. Grin

MargaretThursday · 28/02/2021 13:49

*Marlows and The Traitor" definitely worth getting. I got it from Topsy-Turvey books, who are great! Trying not to do spoilers, but if you don't want any then don't read.

It's focusing on Peter, Nick and Ginty. Ginty I could do without most of the time, but she is better in this book, perhaps because there's no one to show off to. Her main point in this book, from what I can see is to nearly drown, but be able to swim well enough to get out of it.

Peter and Nick make a great pair for an adventure. Peter is the older, and feels he should take the lead, but actually is wracked with doubts about himself.
I think he's a great study in a large family where he's expected to follow in Giles' footsteps and Giles is held up to be a great success. You do wonder sometimes if Giles actually made these mistakes too, but the legends of time (and not having older siblings to remember) has hidden them. I suspect so.
Nick has the confidence of the youngest "no one will really hurt us because we're just little kids", which is challenged a couple of times-like when Foley grabs her.
Between Peter doubting himself and Nick being more confident, it means they can take fairly even measure in the adventure. Even when Peter takes the lead over the escape plan, Nick is able to take the lead with her and Ginty.

Peter has definitely realised that if they get taken on the U-boat then they will be killed, possibly because of his training. I think Ginty doesn't see that far ahead and Nick kind of knows it, but thinks something will happen in an optimistic younger child way.

And the end where Lawrie, having been out of the main adventure with a broken leg, thinks they can't possibly have had as exciting a time as she did, despite her seeing them kidnapped at gunpoint, is an absolute typical Lawrie. I hope Nick enjoyed disabusing her of that, but I suspect Lawrie would still think her adventure was more exciting.

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