Her Second Chance

St. Madern's #2

by E.M. Channon

After trying to wreck her school, Rita Salmon was, quite deservedly, expelled. She did not, perhaps, merit a second chance, but she created her opportunity and, being determined to make amends, was able to render great services to the school. Mrs. Channon has here written a charming and unusual school story.

255 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1930

About the author

Born in 1875, in Rathdowney, Ireland, Ethel Mary Bredin was the daughter of the Rev. Edwin Bredin. Upon the death of her father, when she was four years old, Bredin and mother went to live with relations in England. She was educated at St. Leonard's Ladies' College, and for one year, at Cheltenham Ladies' College. In 1904, she married the Rev. Francis Granville Channon, and settled with him at Eton, where he spent most of his working life. They had six children. Channon began to write and published after she was married, for the pleasure of it, and to supplement the family income. She retired, with Rev. Channon, to Bucknell, Shropshire, in 1932, and died there, in 1941.

Reviews

[Ruth Jolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book to read on holiday, without having first read 'Expelled', and was blown away by the characterisation underlying the rather standard mid-20th C plot. My mind is still buzzing with questions. Is the heroine (a mistress, not a girl) a good person or a sinister one? Is she fated always to influence those around her or is she manipulative? Is it acceptable to manipulate others if it is for their good? And after a life-long association with Miss Annersley, how weird to be following the experiences of a headmistress who is good, admirable but simply not coping! I'll definitely be getting my own copy so I can re-read this one.