Elsie Jeanette Oxenham (1880–1960)

I can never quite work out why I like these books so much, but I do. I think it's the setting partly. The Abbey is a character in its own right in this particular book and the author's love of the architecture shines through. The book is also a window into the recent past. Candles, no vaccinations for measles, no one thinking twice about employing a maid and a cook, etc.
But the characters also shine through. Jen has a struggle with her conscience on two occasions. Firstly as she realises show more that her beloved locket may actually belong to someone else, and a second time when she loses her temper and hurts someone who admires her greatly. Both times, strength of character wins through.
Last, but definitely not least, I love the joy with which Jen dances. A Cotswold jig is her way of expressing happiness and it shows me the dance itself in a whole new light. If I dance 'Princess Royal' I shall think of her and that will express itself in the dance. show less

Many Chalet School fans (as I am) also like the Abbey Girls stories but I have always resisted them - partly the size, as there are 38 books in the series which also interlink with other series. However I finally decided to try them, and started with this one - I always start series with book one - and I liked it. Of course, it is dated in its attitudes and settings, but so dated that it is historical. I was a bit confused as, having read discussions about the series, I knew that the main show more characters were Joan and Joy Shirley and they lived in an abbey. But neither they nor the abbey get a mention in this book: the start of the Hamlet Club, and the resulting changes in Miss Macey's school, is down to Cicely, who I hadn't heard of! show less

I'm still enjoying this series - this is book three of thirty eight - but there are some very dated and odd features. This book was first published in 1920 so I would expect it to demonstrate a way of life and attitudes that are no longer prevalent. The characters are all comfortably middle class or gentry and secure in their way of life, even though in real life WW1 had just made dramatic changes.

This book introduces characters who do not fit into the 'Abbey' ethos and I am impressed by the way Joan, Joy and Jen help them but also are able to see another point of view.