Prefects of the Chalet School

I am extremely glad to have had the opportunity to read the Girls Gone By edition of this, the ultimate story in EBD's Chalet School series. Endowed with commentaries by both Helen McClelland and Ruth Jolly, the text is much enriched by the suggestions of each. In her introduction to the book, Helen McClelland comments on her feeling that there are somehow two separate authors involved, and puts forward her suggestion that EBD's friend and fellow author, Phyllis Matthewman, may well have assisted at some level. Having been forearmed with this idea, it is impossible not to start reading possibilities into the text that follows. The book seems to abound, to a ridiculous degree, with EBD cliches, both in terms of phrasiology and incident, show more but they mostly ring hollow and seem more like a very shallow attempt at imitation than the real thing. And then, suddenly, in the midst of unsatisfying imitation, emerge incidents such as Jack's evolving maturity, and I found myself fully convinced that here, at last, was EBD, appearing out of nowhere, without warning.

The book is also significant in that it seems clearly to have been written as a "final" book. Madge Russell returns, as does Mary Lou, and the full cast literally parades before the audience at the Sale. The futures of Len, Con and Margot are decided and there is a satisfying finality, which, after 58 books spanning from the 20s to the 60s, is absolutely fascinating to read. It was a delightful way to end the series, and for me, a satisfying end to a journey of 10 years of English reading. The book ends, not suprisingly, on the sentence "Up the Chalet School!" and I would add, with grateful thanks, "Up Girls Gone By!" for ending my Chalet School odyssey so beautifully. show less

Last in the lengthy Chalet School series. The Maynard triplets are in their final term, and their futures become clear to them.

When I read this in 200, I wrote: "Good, hopeful ending to the extremely lengthy series!"

Re-reading in 2018, I found it rather dull and disjointed. Too much trite dialogue, way too much about the annual Sale, and several plot-lines which looked promising but then petered out.

Worth having if you're a fan and collector of the series - and there are some good parts - but not recommended if you're a casual reader, or wanting to try it out.

Dreadful, least favourite CS book