... There are over 60 books in the series and cover a time span of about 30 years, from about 1930-1960.
This school is different from any other - the locations are often foreign, with all that this entails. For example, the food is different, the customs and the pupils are from mixed nations. ... Read review
Advantages: Addictive, exciting, wide-appeal Disadvantages: Some of rarer titles are difficult to find
...This series of books follows the creation of a new school in 1930's Austria, and the following adventures of the characters. There are over 60 books in the series and cover a time span of about 30 years, from about 1930-1960.
This school is different from any other - the locations are often foreign, with all that this entails. For example, the food is different, the customs and the pupils are from mixed nations. The pupils are expected ... ...has a non-slang policy. The Austrian/Swiss locations mean the characters can indulge in winter sports and can also enjoy excursions to the surrounding towns and cities.
The books are not just for children - as a child I loved them for the adventures, the appeal of the school story and the location (Austria and Switzerland were especially interesting). My first Chalet School book was given to me by my Grandmother - I saw the list of ... more
I absolutely love these books! This series of books follows the creation of a new school in 1930's Austria, and the following adventures of the characters. There are over 60 books in the series and cover a time span of about 30 years, from about 1930-1960.
This school is different from any other - the locations are often foreign, with all that this entails. For example, the food is different, the customs and the pupils are from mixed nations. The pupils are expected to be trilingual (in French, German and English) and the school also has a non-slang policy. The Austrian/Swiss locations mean the characters can indulge in winter sports and can also enjoy excursions to the surrounding towns and cities.
The books are not just for children - as a child I loved them for the adventures, the appeal of the school story and the location (Austria and Switzerland were especially interesting). My first Chalet School book was given to me by my Grandmother - I saw the list of 'other titles' on the last page and knew I'd have to read the next, and the next…
But as a 24-year-old ddult I continue to read them. The books are beautifully written, with lots of period detail - they even deal with the Nazism and the effects it had on Austria and Europe, in an accessible, but effective way. The books have multi-layers to them, so that both adults and children can enjoy them - in a similar way to the Harry Potter books.
They are not even just for females. I know a couple of males who have enjoyed the books tremendously.
I have been collecting the Chalet School books since I was 9, and only have 3 titles left to find to complete my collection. Easy you might think, but you'd be wrong! The books are very collectable and some titles are out of print and therefore some of the rarer titles are nearly impossible to find. Harper Collins, however, recently reprinted selected titles, so many of the books can be found easily, either second-hand or new. This link takes you to the list of Chalet School books available to purchase at Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books-uk&field-keywords=%20chalet%20school&bq=1/026-2036047-3792439
There are even clubs to share the interest - the biggest has over 1000 members from all over the world, from all ages. They produce 4 newsletters a year, and this helps to keep the interest alive. You can find details here: http://www.rockterrace.demon.co.uk/FOCS/main.html
The club also has a members 'sales and wants' section where I managed to buy lots of second-hand books.
I would recommend these books to anyone. Don't expect anything too shocking - the books reflect the dominant attitudes of their time and are childlike in their innocence. However, they also contain elements that were forward-thinking for the time of publication. For example, during the war-years, the author is not anti-German in any way, but actively promotes a 'peace league', which encourages friendship between nations.
If you want to read the books, start with 'The School at the Chalet', the first book. This follows Madge Bettany's plan to establish a school in the Austrian Tyrol and the first two terms of the school.
I love the way the books follow a series. I love the historical elements and the different locations. I even love the fact that I have another 3 to go before I complete my collection - the hunting has an appeal of it's own! Give the books a try - you'll enjoy them, I promise!
Advantages: Warm and moving story for any age group Disadvantages: hard to get in hard back.
...later book than School at the Chalet, Highland Twins is number 16 in the series. Now for the story: When it beings, Jo (of School at the Chalet fame) has left school, is a prolific author, married and has triplet daughters.
The chalet school has been forced to remove itself from Austria, first for a brief stay in Guernsey then as the war in Europe gets closer, they move to the Golden Valley in Armishire. Naturally Jo and her family move too.
It ... ...like. I do not mean the air raids as such but the everyday deprivations people endured. Women who had never worked since marriage were suddenly being called up to work in munitions factories and other occupations left vacant by the men. Single women had to become land girls, bus drivers or join one of the many female forces.
Thus the scene is set when Joey receives a letter asking her to accommodate twins from a remote island in the highlands which ...
shirley49 06.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Chalet School - Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
Advantages: Very collectable, interesting historical perspective, amusing and memorable characters, strong moral thread Disadvantages: Occasionally repetitive and inconsistent in plots towards the end of the series
Highly collectable and eminently readable, the Chalet School series is a fascinating and uplifting set of 62 books, centering on the School itself, and particularly the Bettany/Maynard families, as they experience the peacetime beauty of the Austrian tyrol, the terror of War, and the changes forced by its aftermath. Always exciting, and with a set of memorable, absorbing and often amusing characters, the set of books as a whole is not without its ... ...repetitive with her plots towards the end of the series. The first 10 books are universally acknowledged to be the best of Brent-Dyers tales, with the flight from the Nazi invasion of the Austrian Tyrol (The Chalet School in Exile) both moving and historically interesting. The detailed description of an idyllic school life prior to this book (The School at the Chalet, Jo Returns to the Chalet School), where all nationalities of girls lived, worked, ...
JoannaScott 21.10.2006 (10.04.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Chalet School - Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
Advantages: great morals, fun, exciting Disadvantages: too addictive
The Chalet School series by Elinor Brent-Dyer seems to be one of the most popular school series. There were 62 books altogether which is why it is so difficult to collect the whole set. There were also additional books and newsletters. Recently new authors have written 'fill-in' books where they feel there should be extra information not provided by the author herself. Some of the books are extremely rare and some paperbacks, even reprints can sell ... ...get every title or just the actual series of books and not the newsletters, additional books and books by other authors. Once you have decided you will need to get together a list of these titles. Most of the more modern reprints carry a full list of titles in the front and you can also look these up on various websites. I have included a list at the end of the article (It includes all of the original books plus some additional ones. I know I have ...
racheldarcy 01.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Chalet School - Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
Advantages: Gives an insight into school life in different countries. Disadvantages: I think the language side was a bit unrealistic.
For me the title chosen above sums up this series very aptly.
From it's very small beginnings of a few pupils through to the final book in which reference is made to the Three branches of the Chalet School-The Main Swiss Branch, The English branch & St Mildred's Finishing branch it is a school which is immensly popular.
Not difficult to see why either when you consider, the friendly but strict in school hours mistresses several of whom were old ... ...pupils get to help choose, the list of trips that every section of the school get take on to broaden their knowledge, the walks closer to the school in loverly English countryside or Swiss mountains & the extremly varied choice of food that has me wanting to try some, mentioned in most books.
But the other side for me is the very vivid portrayal & realism that is written about the second World war & it's effects on the school.
To someone who is ...
FriendlyLynn 03.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Chalet School - Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
...this is number nine in the series. All the books are based about a school started by Madge Bettany the series starts before the second world war and as we go on with the books you move on with the times right up into the sixties. This chalet school book is based around the time a rival school started in the same place as the chalet school and how at first the 2 schools were sworn enemies. A personal favourite of mine when growing up which I have ... ...to be at school before the war. My eldest daughter is always on about why cant it be like this now. All my girls enjoy these book and enjoy reading about all the fun of life in a Boarding School. .Recommended to all ages. All the chalet school books are a good read and i can highly recommended them to all. ...
Madmama 28.03.2003 (05.04.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Chalet School - Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
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Advantages: Great characters, some humour, great start to a lengthy series Disadvantages: Seems old-fashioned in places
colonialist or snobby - and yet phrases such as 'funny foreign food' seem out of place to me, even when it's clear that the characters enjoyed eating non-English cooking.
Nevertheless, this book was written nearly 80 years ago, and it still seems fresh and alive. ElinorMBrent-Dyer was herself a school headmistress for a while, and she writes with authority about schools, knowing enough to make her lessons and other activities sound realistic rather than researched. She also has a gift for characterisation, which is what makes these books stand out above others of the period; later books feature Joey and her friends as they grow up, start careers, have families, and so on, and the continuity is part of what makes them enjoyable to read. Without the sequels, 'The School at the Chalet' would probably have been lost in the mists of time, but ...
Advantages: These books are very collectable but also very good reading time and time again Disadvantages: Hard backs with dust wrappers are hard to find. PB just not the same
A very sought after book which is timeless in reading entertainment. This book comes under chicken soup category. Take it to bed every time you have a cold or feel the need for cosseting.
The book centres round a boarding school set innovatively in Austria. Initially the school is for a handful of pupils, the very first of these being Josephine Mary Bettany, thereafter known as Jo. Her sister Madge has started the school to augment the slender family income and to improve the health of Jo.
Before too long the school is embroiled in 'middles' pranks and thrilling disobedience which leads to the heroine Jo almost being killed.
He school grows rapidly and the characters in this book set the scene for a further 57 books. No other Chalet series book can compare with the joy of reading the first one. If you can only afford one good hard ...
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