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katherine_b at 06:33am on 30/01/2004
katherine_b at 06:33am on 30/01/2004I've been up since 2:30am because of the storm and then because of this news:
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…
GGB wants to publish the book! There will need to be changes, of course, but I expected that and I’m more than willing to make the few concessions they demand. Here are a few snippets (the positive ones) from the reviewer…
I enjoyed reading this synopsis and sample chapter, by an author who demonstrates a considerable ability to write ‘as EBD’, adopting her voice and values. The language is varied and appropriate, and the author is able to carry the reader with her into the situations she describes. In choosing to write about the term during which VE Day took place, she provides an opportunity to see the School in celebratory mode, and to show how the ordinary dynamics of school life continue alongside the impact of momentous external events.
While the transition to Peace would be inadequate alone as a binding theme for this book, the author does provide others – the appointment of a new Head Girl and several new prefects while the old ones are still in the school; the feud over form gardens; and the preparations for the Sale […] As far as can be judged from a synopsis, she has the makings of an interesting story with plenty of lively situations.
[…]
Two new characters are introduced in Mr and Mrs Evans – three if you count Marilyn herself, as we meet her only indirectly in the series. I find Mr Evans convincing and lively, and well within the range described by EBD: he could be compared to Joan Baker’s grandfather or to Madge’s suitor from Bradford; or perhaps to Zephyr Burthill’s father. The snapshot of the colourless little wife is effective, and Marilyn’s honest and generous character and her inner conflict come across well.
It’s an interesting idea to write a book about the Chalet School’s response to the ending of the war – and of course this must have been a part of the School’s history. I feel that EBD would have enjoyed the opportunity to talk about rebuilding and moving forward, and the reunions with various old girls would also have been dear to her heart.
[…]
The author makes a good job of portraying EBD’s priorities and concerns. Her references to Primula’s delicacy, and the need to conserve her strength and prevent her from fretting, come across convincingly, and the maintenance of a love of Germans and Germany, as distinct from the evils of Hitler and his supporters, is also in keeping. On the religious side, Miss Wilson’s reference to having faith sits well, growing naturally out of the context; so does the inclusion of the news of Luigia, who died for her faith.
[…]
The author writes well and fluently, and her EBD usages blend convincingly into her narrative.
[…]
From what I have seen, I would say that this author has the potential to produce a viable fill-in story for the Chalet School series. She would, however, need to be prepared to make very considerable changes to fit in with GGBP requirements, notably confining herself to the range within which EBD might have written, and would need to be prepared to do a lot of hard work in order to relate as closely as possible to the ‘facts’ of the series. A fair quantity of new ideas would also be needed, to replace material which for one reason or another would have to be removed from her current synopsis.
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…
GGB wants to publish the book! There will need to be changes, of course, but I expected that and I’m more than willing to make the few concessions they demand. Here are a few snippets (the positive ones) from the reviewer…
I enjoyed reading this synopsis and sample chapter, by an author who demonstrates a considerable ability to write ‘as EBD’, adopting her voice and values. The language is varied and appropriate, and the author is able to carry the reader with her into the situations she describes. In choosing to write about the term during which VE Day took place, she provides an opportunity to see the School in celebratory mode, and to show how the ordinary dynamics of school life continue alongside the impact of momentous external events.
While the transition to Peace would be inadequate alone as a binding theme for this book, the author does provide others – the appointment of a new Head Girl and several new prefects while the old ones are still in the school; the feud over form gardens; and the preparations for the Sale […] As far as can be judged from a synopsis, she has the makings of an interesting story with plenty of lively situations.
[…]
Two new characters are introduced in Mr and Mrs Evans – three if you count Marilyn herself, as we meet her only indirectly in the series. I find Mr Evans convincing and lively, and well within the range described by EBD: he could be compared to Joan Baker’s grandfather or to Madge’s suitor from Bradford; or perhaps to Zephyr Burthill’s father. The snapshot of the colourless little wife is effective, and Marilyn’s honest and generous character and her inner conflict come across well.
It’s an interesting idea to write a book about the Chalet School’s response to the ending of the war – and of course this must have been a part of the School’s history. I feel that EBD would have enjoyed the opportunity to talk about rebuilding and moving forward, and the reunions with various old girls would also have been dear to her heart.
[…]
The author makes a good job of portraying EBD’s priorities and concerns. Her references to Primula’s delicacy, and the need to conserve her strength and prevent her from fretting, come across convincingly, and the maintenance of a love of Germans and Germany, as distinct from the evils of Hitler and his supporters, is also in keeping. On the religious side, Miss Wilson’s reference to having faith sits well, growing naturally out of the context; so does the inclusion of the news of Luigia, who died for her faith.
[…]
The author writes well and fluently, and her EBD usages blend convincingly into her narrative.
[…]
From what I have seen, I would say that this author has the potential to produce a viable fill-in story for the Chalet School series. She would, however, need to be prepared to make very considerable changes to fit in with GGBP requirements, notably confining herself to the range within which EBD might have written, and would need to be prepared to do a lot of hard work in order to relate as closely as possible to the ‘facts’ of the series. A fair quantity of new ideas would also be needed, to replace material which for one reason or another would have to be removed from her current synopsis.
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…
hyper
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