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Chalet School - Complete
The Chalet Girls Grow Up
A book that updates the stories of The Chalet School Girls into a world of sex, drugs and illegitimate babies bringing characters into the present day with references to Vietnam, Soweto, Greenham Common and the Falklands War. In the original Chalet School series there were 62 books, set in the archetypal girl's boarding school and all the heroines grew up to marry Princes, Dukes or Doctors. They are still selling over 100,000 copies a year.
308 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Merryn Williams
41 books5 followersMerryn Williams is a poet and the author of books on Thomas Hardy and Margaret Oliphant. Raymond Williams, her father, is Emeritus Professor of Drama, University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 8, 2013
Oh.
So, where to begin with this?
It's a book that has, rightly or wrongly, reached an almost mythological status. I remember when it first came out and the mailing list I lurked, somewhat awkwardly on, exploded. My memories of that remain vivid and so, when I picked this up for the reread, I was interested to see what my thoughts were after a fair few years away from it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Chalet Girls Grow Up was the first - and perhaps the only - spin-off title to write the Chalet School as a real world. And I think that's perhaps where so much of the tension lies. The Chalet Girls Grow Up is not a relaxing book. It's not particularly positive, nor is it comforting (at least, not initially). Bad things happen. Lots of them. Remember that Oprah episode where she gave away cars to her audience? "You get a car! And you get a car! And you!" I was reminded of that whilst reading. "You get sad! And you! And you!"
The thing is, Williams writes well. She borders on pastiche at some points which is inevitable considering the nature of the beast, but her language and her turn of phrase is quiet, solid and undeniably poetic at points. It's a shame that that is quite often lost during the emotional reactions that surround this book. That's not to say that those reactions are unwarranted. I understand how people can dislike and loathe this book for it is, quite clearly, the Chalet School in its bleakest hour. People die. Lots of people die. There's divorce, miscarriage, affairs, sadness, joys, suicide, impromptu caresses under the pine trees and sad, loveless marriages a plenty.
There's life, really, real life, but that's something the Chalet School never really let happen. And I think, in a book of this nature, the fact that it is so very bluntly darkly real, will always prove troublesome. Williams quite mercilessly pulls the series out of the rose-tinged bubble it can undoubtedly occupy at points and it fascinates me as to the rationale behind the book at this point. Her relationship to the series feels spectacularly complex. And angry. And yet, vividly, warmly, loving.
I think, perhaps, it's possible to be in love with something and hate it all at the same time.
I'm grateful to @anicecupoftea for helping me formulate my ideas on the above point.
So would I reccommend you read this? Yes, I think I would. Because loving something is one thing, but understanding how that love can be interpreted by others, how that love can be filtered through the experience of the individual, will always, but always, enhance and bring a new level of understanding towards your own relationship with the series.
Plus, if Williams has done nothing else, she has written perhaps the best and most appropriate version of Reg ever seen in the Chalet World.
So, where to begin with this?
It's a book that has, rightly or wrongly, reached an almost mythological status. I remember when it first came out and the mailing list I lurked, somewhat awkwardly on, exploded. My memories of that remain vivid and so, when I picked this up for the reread, I was interested to see what my thoughts were after a fair few years away from it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Chalet Girls Grow Up was the first - and perhaps the only - spin-off title to write the Chalet School as a real world. And I think that's perhaps where so much of the tension lies. The Chalet Girls Grow Up is not a relaxing book. It's not particularly positive, nor is it comforting (at least, not initially). Bad things happen. Lots of them. Remember that Oprah episode where she gave away cars to her audience? "You get a car! And you get a car! And you!" I was reminded of that whilst reading. "You get sad! And you! And you!"
The thing is, Williams writes well. She borders on pastiche at some points which is inevitable considering the nature of the beast, but her language and her turn of phrase is quiet, solid and undeniably poetic at points. It's a shame that that is quite often lost during the emotional reactions that surround this book. That's not to say that those reactions are unwarranted. I understand how people can dislike and loathe this book for it is, quite clearly, the Chalet School in its bleakest hour. People die. Lots of people die. There's divorce, miscarriage, affairs, sadness, joys, suicide, impromptu caresses under the pine trees and sad, loveless marriages a plenty.
There's life, really, real life, but that's something the Chalet School never really let happen. And I think, in a book of this nature, the fact that it is so very bluntly darkly real, will always prove troublesome. Williams quite mercilessly pulls the series out of the rose-tinged bubble it can undoubtedly occupy at points and it fascinates me as to the rationale behind the book at this point. Her relationship to the series feels spectacularly complex. And angry. And yet, vividly, warmly, loving.
I think, perhaps, it's possible to be in love with something and hate it all at the same time.
I'm grateful to @anicecupoftea for helping me formulate my ideas on the above point.
So would I reccommend you read this? Yes, I think I would. Because loving something is one thing, but understanding how that love can be interpreted by others, how that love can be filtered through the experience of the individual, will always, but always, enhance and bring a new level of understanding towards your own relationship with the series.
Plus, if Williams has done nothing else, she has written perhaps the best and most appropriate version of Reg ever seen in the Chalet World.
July 26, 2016
I'm absolutely certain this wasn't published by GGB, because FOCS published extracts before publication and then a fairly horrified editorial after publication. But I can't check my own copy because I lent it to somebody and, as I'd already decided I wouldn't be reading it again, I didn't try to get it back. There aren't many books I wish I hadn't read, but this is one. Not because it's a particularly bad book - it isn't; but because she took my friends and did horrible things to them
And they were recognisably my friends. They were the real, true characters I grew up with - I mean, credit where it's due, they were all faithfully reproduced and believably developed, I can completely see a silver-haired Joey as a slightly dotty primary school dinner lady, and that's what gets this book its stars. But in this story, awful, dreadful things happen to characters I love, and there's no warmth or security to counterbalance that. Even the worst of the proper Chalet School books never left me feeling this depressed.
And they were recognisably my friends. They were the real, true characters I grew up with - I mean, credit where it's due, they were all faithfully reproduced and believably developed, I can completely see a silver-haired Joey as a slightly dotty primary school dinner lady, and that's what gets this book its stars. But in this story, awful, dreadful things happen to characters I love, and there's no warmth or security to counterbalance that. Even the worst of the proper Chalet School books never left me feeling this depressed.
Read
October 30, 2014The moral of the story? "This could have been avoided if you'd carried a keg of THE STUFF around your neck". After one miserable encounter after another for the Maynard triplets (unhappy, unfulfilled and uncontent to the end) and their family, the only character spared from the AXE is... Bruno, Joey's faithful St. Bernard! And that's only because the dogs aren't mentioned (presumably dogs are too inherently happy).
Oh, but what a grim read this was. The author merrily swings the hatchet with broad strokes, particularly at Mary Lou Trelawny, whose "forthright ways" turn her into a life-destroying steamroller. The Maynard triplets navigate through life hampered by Christianity, kitchen-sink events straight out of m1sery pr0n usually set in Hull and MEN. Men! MEN ARE WEAK.
Well, they may be weak, but the power men have to destroy in this book is immense. A happy outcome in the Chalet books is frequently marriage - boy, is that old chestnut leapt on with great ferocity! In fact I think the author is still leaping somewhere despite blisters and worn out shoes. A perfectly sensible thing to jump about, of course. Len's marriage is featured prominently, which I was looking forward to reading about. Len's marriage to Dr. Reg is something I recall only vaguely from the books. I remember roughly it was announced around the time she was leaving School and going to University, and that it was rather out of the blue. Much like Joey's sudden falling for Jack Maynard, which hardly seemed likely either. Unsurprisingly, unmitigated disasters ensue.
And as for Joey Maynard - no patience is given to the author of "Nancy Goes Forth" (or what have you). Joey becomes a doddering old fool, who retains the sympathy of no-one apart from Len. Of Joey's original gang, little features, aside from a very scathing interlude from Grizel Cochrane. E. Brent-Dyer was never sympathetic to Grizel in the first instance, and for once, the author of this book continues the harsh treatment of Grizel. There's a good chapter on Grizel in BEHIND THE CHALET SCHOOL by HELEN MCCLELLAND (iirc), which is much more interesting than her appearance here imho.
I do feel the author had less of an idea how to treat Margot Maynard than the other two trips. The adult Len is easier to link to the Chalet School Len than Con, but there's still a bit of Adult Con reminisencent of the schoolgirl. With Margot, all that remains is the religious link. And the author is so angry about religion, that all that comes out is frustration and GRR! And eventually, deeper misery, but by this time it's like banging your head against a wall...
Principally, this is 1x GRIM and ANGRY read. It's worth reading as a follow-up on the Chalet School's jolly-holly-sticks-forever attitude, but you'll be howling to get back to the happier days once finished to counteract the relentless negativity.
Heed well the lesson of Bruno (and Rufus)! The key to a happy life is lack of religion and brandy! Everything else? TOUGH KAFFEE UND KUCHEN. Cheers everyone!
Oh, but what a grim read this was. The author merrily swings the hatchet with broad strokes, particularly at Mary Lou Trelawny, whose "forthright ways" turn her into a life-destroying steamroller. The Maynard triplets navigate through life hampered by Christianity, kitchen-sink events straight out of m1sery pr0n usually set in Hull and MEN. Men! MEN ARE WEAK.
Well, they may be weak, but the power men have to destroy in this book is immense. A happy outcome in the Chalet books is frequently marriage - boy, is that old chestnut leapt on with great ferocity! In fact I think the author is still leaping somewhere despite blisters and worn out shoes. A perfectly sensible thing to jump about, of course. Len's marriage is featured prominently, which I was looking forward to reading about. Len's marriage to Dr. Reg is something I recall only vaguely from the books. I remember roughly it was announced around the time she was leaving School and going to University, and that it was rather out of the blue. Much like Joey's sudden falling for Jack Maynard, which hardly seemed likely either. Unsurprisingly, unmitigated disasters ensue.
And as for Joey Maynard - no patience is given to the author of "Nancy Goes Forth" (or what have you). Joey becomes a doddering old fool, who retains the sympathy of no-one apart from Len. Of Joey's original gang, little features, aside from a very scathing interlude from Grizel Cochrane. E. Brent-Dyer was never sympathetic to Grizel in the first instance, and for once, the author of this book continues the harsh treatment of Grizel. There's a good chapter on Grizel in BEHIND THE CHALET SCHOOL by HELEN MCCLELLAND (iirc), which is much more interesting than her appearance here imho.
I do feel the author had less of an idea how to treat Margot Maynard than the other two trips. The adult Len is easier to link to the Chalet School Len than Con, but there's still a bit of Adult Con reminisencent of the schoolgirl. With Margot, all that remains is the religious link. And the author is so angry about religion, that all that comes out is frustration and GRR! And eventually, deeper misery, but by this time it's like banging your head against a wall...
Principally, this is 1x GRIM and ANGRY read. It's worth reading as a follow-up on the Chalet School's jolly-holly-sticks-forever attitude, but you'll be howling to get back to the happier days once finished to counteract the relentless negativity.
Heed well the lesson of Bruno (and Rufus)! The key to a happy life is lack of religion and brandy! Everything else? TOUGH KAFFEE UND KUCHEN. Cheers everyone!
May 9, 2011
A huge disappointment... All my Chalet School illusions are shattered thanks to Ms Williams and I'm pretty sure that Ms Brent-Dyer is turning over in her grave!
Think I shall have to re-read some of the original books to wipe any memory of this one from my brain.
Think I shall have to re-read some of the original books to wipe any memory of this one from my brain.
November 6, 2019
Absolutely terrible. This book casts a shadow on the much loved series of which the characters have been stolen. And the worst part is that the Author didn't even kill off Mary-Lou.
A fan-fic that actually got published
A fan-fic that actually got published
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February 20, 2022I have been a huge fan of the Chalet School books plus the various spin-offs. I read the views of people on this book and I must admit that I was hesitant to read it. As someone put, she had completely dished the ‘heroines’ of the series. I actually wish that I had not given into the temptation to read the book. Why, for the life of me, did the author decide to write a follow up of the Chalet School series if she so obviously hated every aspect of the series….. including the main characters. Most people that read the series are actually aware that the events that happen as well as the characters you get to know and love are not real! But the author seems to have developed a hatred towards it! From the beginning of the book she set out to destroy the charm of the series… trashing the Catholic Church, the Maynards, trying to comment on the situation in SouthAfrica without doing much research. Introducing real life situations such as rape, spousal abuse, affairs, abortion, loss of faith, sex before marriage and even a hint of same sex relationships….. amongst others, is all very well, but not appropriate in this series! The series was never meant, I would imagine, to give a real life situation on life! If she wanted realism, why didn’t she write another book with other characters, and a bit more in depth research, and I’m sure she would have found her readers. Don’t trash characters that others love just because of her intense hatred for the series or author!
April 6, 2021
I’ve had this book on my shelf for years, I love Elinor Brent-Dyer and have a complete hardback collection of the Chalet School books plus most of the many side books written in the same style. I hated this book, for me it’s spoilt the ethos of all the series, surely she could have written a few more palatable outcomes ! This is just doom and disaster all the way through, and that is such a pity as I really don’t think everyone needed such a gruesome outcome in their lives.... I will not be reading this again, I only read it this time as I’d worked my way through the entire series in Lockdown and thought I should finish with this. I will be reading some of the earlier books again to put some happy thoughts into my brain again!
September 11, 2007
A heavy handed 'what happened next' for the chalet books. And wow, did it ever piss off some of the fans. Len divorces Reg, who is abusive (which you know, I could see *g*), Margot dumps the convent, and Con also contributes to shock the nations *G*
Joey is unsympathetically portrayed as a interfering lunatic who has never -- and will never -- grow up,and Jack Maynard as the tired, put upon husband who can't cope with or without her.
It was seriously funny. Unintentionally so, but as unrealistic as the chalet school books are in one direction, the author took that unrealism alllll the other direction. The author knows the books, oh yes. Depressing and yet wildly amusing.
Joey is unsympathetically portrayed as a interfering lunatic who has never -- and will never -- grow up,and Jack Maynard as the tired, put upon husband who can't cope with or without her.
It was seriously funny. Unintentionally so, but as unrealistic as the chalet school books are in one direction, the author took that unrealism alllll the other direction. The author knows the books, oh yes. Depressing and yet wildly amusing.
April 28, 2009
I'm embarrassed to admit I read this and further more enjoyed it so much! As a child I didn't read a single Chalet Girl book as i didn't like the series but when this book came home in a bundle of other fiction books from the library I tucked into it and it was a really good read. I particularly liked the way the reader is walked through the decades as I could experience the ages through which i never lived. A good read.
June 20, 2016
Well, this was awful.
A double shame, really, because it was an interesting concept with appalling execution. There was no humour in the writing or the characters, and that meant that even recognisable individuals rang hollow - oddly two dimensional creatures.
The editing was more absent than the plot.
A double shame, really, because it was an interesting concept with appalling execution. There was no humour in the writing or the characters, and that meant that even recognisable individuals rang hollow - oddly two dimensional creatures.
The editing was more absent than the plot.
September 23, 2021
A lot of people hate this book, but it's a favourite of mine.
April 20, 2017
I can't make my mind up how I feel about this book. It could be a stand alone story. It's such a leap from the chalet school books with hard hitting topics and that it questions everything we loved before. One to ponder...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews