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Original poster

Another Antonia Forest thread

155 replies

tvaerialmagpiebin · 27/04/2010 20:18

We haven't had one in a while.

I have just won "Attic Term" on ebay and almost got "Marlows and the Traitor" from a dealer but it turned out their website was out of date and it had sold in December. Boo hiss.

I tried to find the thread from a while back about "Nicola Merrick" the radio producer but I think it must have been in Chat because it has gone. I am re-reading all the AF books I have, in order, and it is surprising how things slip into place now. Can't believe I got "Ready-made family" for 25p in a charity shop 10 years ago and that launched me on such a fantastic discovery.

Now I have to convince my local library to get out the copy of "Run away Home" that they claim to have in the HQ store, and I will be very happy..

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CoupleofKooks · 30/04/2010 07:22

hello Noah

i read and adored the school stories first, then was gobsmacked to discover as an adult that a) there were more stories - LOADS more, and b) i couldn't afford to get copies of any of them

then i got into collecting children's books and managed to get my hands on a couple. the gaps were filled in when GGB reissued them all. It was so exciting waiting a year or so each time for the next title - i was most excited about Ready Made Family because the gaps in the schools stories had always intrigued me terribly - WHY had Kay married this not very nice old man, and where had these children come from? GGB used to sell photocopies of their own personal copies - spiral bound - i still have my copy of Ready Made Family from that time

CoupleofKooks · 30/04/2010 07:26

i like TTK a lot
the family were slightly lacking, to me (seemed rather pale and unformed after the Marlows) but the other main character is great - really unlikeable and believable, with shades of Marie Dobson and others peeping through

the historical novels are a dream, aren't they? i was completely gripped
a visit to st paul's shortly after reading, was thrilling, and i was able to have a long conversation with one of the guides about what the old cathedral would have been like, based purely on the Players novels

Original poster
tvaerialmagpiebin · 30/04/2010 14:09

GAH postman did not come up with the goods again. I might have to snog him tomorrow as a bribe (actually better not it might put him off completely.

Thanks PantryBoy, I wll have to beg the library staff to let me personallysearch the stacks for the copy of RAH which the online catalogue says exists.....

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aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 30/04/2010 16:52

Lankyalto, I hope the postman comes up with the goods tomorrow.
I'm almost jealous because you still have unread AF books. Attic Term is fabulous - are you a Ginty fan because she features quite a lot?

Original poster
tvaerialmagpiebin · 30/04/2010 17:52

Well I don't really think I know her very well, only the "lusting after Patrick" bit. So I am really looking forward to AT to find out more.

Poor postman, he can't know how much I look forward to his cheery wave every morning....

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HumphreyCobbler · 30/04/2010 17:59

CoupleofCooks - I think I know who you are now. I was expecting you along to defend Lawrie as being positively the best character.

I first read A Prayer For Owen Meany because I heard so many people on mumsnet praising it. I will be forever greatful.

I must read the AF ones I have missed. GBB are not longer publishing are they?

Original poster
tvaerialmagpiebin · 30/04/2010 18:02

No they aren't , and their website is currently being updated, there used to be a list of second hand dealers who still had stock, or who had copies from elsewhere. That's where I have got a couple and not just GGB ones either. Otherwise ebay, or amazon marketplace (occasionally).

Must read Owen Meany if AF fans like it!

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CoupleofKooks · 30/04/2010 18:42

some on eBay

humphrey i particularly like the Hotel New Hampshire which has a great Franny as the heroine

HumphreyCobbler · 30/04/2010 19:42

Yes, I read that because you told me to. It was on my I love Owen Meanie thread. I loved it too.

See what an influence you are on me.

I even had wnakey baskets for both my children

I will also be forever GRATEFUL.
My dd was helping me type, that is my defence and I am sticking to it. I truly am horrified I did that, will Mumsnet withdraw a post due to horrific spelling error?

HumphreyCobbler · 30/04/2010 19:44

Meany FFS

I may be losing my mind.

MissCromwell · 30/04/2010 19:45

Thank you LawrieisLucky for that link, I really enjoyed reading that article. It suggests critics at the time didn't like forest because of her upper class characters and her religious themes - neither of those bothered me at all as a child, and actually I was very surprised to find out Forest was a devout catholic when she died, because I personally would never have guessed it from the books.

Original poster
tvaerialmagpiebin · 01/05/2010 18:00

Aha, the postman came up trumps this morning so I am off bed early for an Attic Term fest.
Ho ho ho

Had a fruitless search of charity shops today for the AF ones I don't have. Slight hijack, but I was surprised how much some charity shops charge for books. £3 in BHF and Oxfam for a paperback.... used to be everything about 20-50p. Tsk tsk.

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aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 01/05/2010 20:14

I'm glad it arrived.
Will you read it in one go or pace yourself?
I read very fast and if I am ejoying a book just devour it in one sitting (unless real life interferes)

Original poster
tvaerialmagpiebin · 01/05/2010 20:21

Deffo in one go, I am a fast reader too. Just waiting for dS1 to drop off and then I am off to read it. Ho ho ho.

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HumphreyCobbler · 01/05/2010 20:22

Have a lovely evening

MrsDickens · 01/05/2010 20:34

OP, this is really weird - I think I know the person who was selling 'Attic Term' on ebay! It's a friend of mine - I asked him to look out for any AFs and he came up with that one....which I already have. Small world, or what?

I only stumbled across AF a couple of years ago when I picked up a pretty much mint Penguin copy of 'Autumn Term' for 10p from a jumble sale box, just out of curiosity. I had absolutely no idea about these books - but now I need to possess all of them! I'm getting there, but as everyone says, they're so scarce and soooooo expensive...

CoupleofKooks · 01/05/2010 20:36

i read fast but when i am reading a new AF i pace myself
the last one, the Players and the Rebels, I actually kept on my sitting room table for months and months before actually reading it, and then i read it veeeeerrrrry slowly and totally savoured it
i knew it would be the last time i would ever read a new Antonia Forest

HumphreyCobbler · 01/05/2010 20:38

perhaps that is why I am strangely reluctant to actively track them down?

I still have this lovely feeling that there is this magical book sitting in the world, just WAITING for me to stumble across it..

frakkinnuts · 01/05/2010 20:56

Humphrey I know what you mean. CBB people keep trying to lend me AF books but I'm scared to read them. Have only read Autumn Term and loved it but I know I'll want the lot and getting all the Chalet books nearly bankrupted me!

I am wavering though...wish GGB would reprint

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 01/05/2010 20:57

I was devastated to read that although AF had planned a sequel to RAH no manuscript was found after her death.

Coupleofkooks - I wish I had your self control

HumphreyCobbler · 01/05/2010 20:59

Though if someone was trying to lend them to me I would bite their hand off. And then photocopy them

They are all as good as Autumn Term. Go on, go on, go on....

They are in a different league to Chalet School (I read those too). Tbh, I never know why I read them. They are strangely compelling despite being really rather rubbish.

CoupleofKooks · 01/05/2010 21:00

well i;ve read the lot now
only complete chronological order rereads to look forward to now!

CoupleofKooks · 01/05/2010 21:00

humphrey i don't mind lending if there's one or two you partic want

CoupleofKooks · 01/05/2010 21:00

don't bite me though

RustyBear · 01/05/2010 21:03

CoupleofKooks - glad I'm not the only one who is reluctant to read the last of a series - DH thought I was weird when I finally found the only PG Wodehouse I'd never read & didn't immediately start on it.