Seven Scamps

While I mostly enjoy this story, as it develops the series well, the seven Willoughby children are so awful to start with that, even though their father's behaviour should cause us to have sympathy for them, I find it hard to like them even by the end. The Athertons and the Temples help to resolve the situation and the ending is hopeful.

Fourth in the 'La Rochelle' series, with the latter part based in Guernsey. Introducing the Willoughby family: seven siblings from ages 17 down to 5 who have been running somewhat wild.

Written in the late 1920s it's inevitably dated culturally, but the children's attitudes and ideas feel quite modern, and the characterisation is good. I think my favourite was David, who is probably about nine or ten, who keeps saying what's on his mind without realising he has spoken aloud.

The only thing that jarred was five-year-old Tim's speech, which is at about the immaturity of an average three-year-old. But other than that, I thought it well-written, interesting, and also good from the point of view of background to some of the Chalet School show more books. There's quite a large cast, so it's best to read this after the earlier 'La Rochelle' books.

The GGB paperback has a bonus short story at the end, too, which I enjoyed very much.

Definitely recommended.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2019/06/seven-scamps-by-elinor-m-brent-dyer... show less