Helen Barber

This is my first reading of a “new” Chalet school book, and it’s a great place to start for anyone who loved Chalet School novels as a child (though I’ll have to read Helen Barber’s earlier books soon as well!). Home Front is a pleasing novel for lovers of Downton Abbey too, as it takes place at the start of World War I and convincingly depicting English village life, from landlord to teacher to tradesman to orphaned child.

Future founder of a famous (Chalet) school, Madge Bettany show more is introduced as a teenage schoolgirl, living with twin brother Dick, their guardian, a nanny, a housekeeper, and of course, a baby sister, Joey of Chalet School fame. The late-summer setting quickly becomes real—part of a world now gone and society in flux, just as evocative as Eleanor Brent-Dyer’s novels set between the wars and later. The people, just as in the earlier author’s books, are pleasingly kind in a world that’s sometimes cruel. Generosity brings rewards. Money brings responsibility. Folly brings punishment which brings its own rewards. And wisdom wins through. Meanwhile World War I is just beginning, and real families suffer real losses, then band together for comfort.

My mother read Chalet School books as a child. Then I read them as a child. And now my mother eagerly collects each new book as it comes out. Helen Barber has certainly caught the flavor of Eleanor Brent-Dyer’s writing, the ethos of gentle faith and wisdom, and the family-friendly feel of school-girl antics. After reading this book I’m hooked and will look forward to raiding Mum's bookshelves on my next visit.

Disclosure: My mother gave me this book. show less

An action-packed 'fill-in' to the Chalet School series. Mainly featuring Miss Wilson ('Bill') when she first takes on the role of Head, while Miss Annersley is still convalescing from a nasty accident. It follows on from 'Jo to the Rescue'.

I was a tad dubious at first, but soon got caught up in the story - and a great deal happens in this term, which enables Miss Wilson to dole out justice, mercy and general authority in her own way. I thought the characters were very well drawn, authentic show more to Brent-Dyer's creations, and if some of the accents were a bit dodgy, and the exclamation mark used a tad too often, they're minor criticisms.

If you're a fan of the series, young or old, and looking for a few of the modern 'fill-ins', I would recommend this one.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/09/a-chalet-school-headmistress-by-hel... show less

A really excellent fill-in book. Completely believable and true to EBD's style and characters. A compulsive read in it's own right and how lovely to get a "new" story for the Chalet School world. Well done to Helen Barber!

A good new fill-in for the Chalet School series, adding to Primula's story and character. It takes place during a term already covered by two books but manages to fit seamlessly with what we already know!