Kate Young seeks some escapist fiction and bakes a breakfast enjoyed by the children in the Austrian boarding school in Brent-Dyer’s novel

I had a such a lovely time revisiting the first in a series of books written by the school story writer Elinor M Brent-Dyer. Best known for her prolific Chalet School series, the book that I am spe…

Why a British book written in the 1940s needs to be read today.

The chain looks like this: I read an article by A.S. Byatt about children's literature at the turn of the (nineteenth to twentieth) century, she being somewhat of an expert since the research that went into The Children's Book, and felt a compunction to re-read some of those classics she mentioned, books that had had a profound effect on me as a child (though I am not quite Edwardian), such as The Secret Garden and The Phoenix and The Carpet. Thus, I found myself in the Children's Classics section of Britain's only High Street bookshop. And there I stumbled upon the beautiful item pictured above. This edition of The Chalet School in Exile, says the blurb on the back, "has been published to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, and in memory of all those who lost their lives." Now I am a huge fan of the Elinor M Brent-Dyer / Angela Brazil school (excuse the pun) of writing - I spent my childhood summers in my grandparents house in Devon, and the bedroom in which I stayed had a cabinet crammed with such books, most of them with my great-aunt's name scrawled lazily in her own hand on the inside cover. A voracious reader even then, I ploughed merrily through the lot, ankle-socked legs waving in the air as I lay on my stomach in nana's garden, gently turning the kind of nut-brown only children go and that I have never gone since. (It may be worth noting that this was in fact during the 1970s/80s, and not the 1920s, as I like to make it sound. It may also be of interest that my favourite treasure in this cabinet of stylised girlschool literature was the beautifully dated Dimsie Moves Up, whilst my favourite of the cover art was the dust jacket of The New House Mistress). The Chalet School in Exile has been re-published (it was originally available in 1940) by an outfit I had not heard of until now, Girls Gone By Publishers, whose website I shall be visiting regularly as of today. It's a beautiful paperback edition (£12 at Waterstones), published using the full first edition text and with matching cover art: "This original dustwrapper is extremely rare, and, very unusually, it was changed while the book was still in its first printing. It is thought that Chambers received complaints that the illustration was unsuitable for children..." Indeed, it shows a Nazi commander questioning two girls, pupils at the eponymous Chalet School in Austria, when the country is invaded and the school inhabitants are forced to flee. This edition, then, includes a relevant WWII timeline, complete with maps, a biography of Elinor M Brent-Dyer, a geekily detailed publishing history of this particular title, and much more. I am delighted to have it, and to have discovered this wonderful publishing venture, which I really hope thrives. A review will follow when I have actually read the book, instead of simply being ridiculously excited about owning it...

Miss Brent-Dryer has, in the Chalet School Series, made a very definite contribution to school-story literature. The Chalet School, situated among the Alpine pastures of the Tyrol, has, with its merry throng of girls of ages, temperaments, and nationalities, become to girl readers a romantic world in itself. The doing, ordinary and extraordinary, of Jo Bettany and her fellow Chaletains hold the reader’s attention to the last page. At the same time, the descriptions of Tyrolese scenery and of the life and manners of the people make the stories as instructive as they are entertaining. There is a delightful freshness of incident and conversation, coupled with a skilful use of humour and pathos Girl character is accurately drawn, and nowhere is the transition from rollicking girlhood to joyous womanhood more naturally portrayed. Title: The Head Girl of the Chalet School Author: Elinor M. Brent Dyer Publisher: Chambers Publication Date: 1951 Format: Hardback with dust jacket Condition: This book is in good condition for its age other than some minor signs of wear.

Last year at this time I was getting towards the end of my re-read of the Chalet School books. As I read them, I noted down all the unusual turns of phrase used in the books, and when I was looking for ideas of things to try out lettering styles on, these quotes came to mind!

Give a classic book a new home as a wonderful personal gift or present for a book lover the perfect literary gift for a beloved Bookworm. Recycle a classic Elinor M.Brent-Dyer - well loved School Story style books, Robin Humphries is also a main character, until she leaves the Chalet school to go to Oxford and later becomes a nun. The books then follow a variety of characters, including Daisy Venables, Bride Bettany and Gay Lambert, until Mary-Lou Trelawney comes to the school, and becomes the main character for several books. Choose one of our delightful original paperbacks to adopt today. Armada have produced the most beautiful illustrated covers which have become classics in there own right highlighting the edgy nature of this brilliant writer. Elinor M.Brent-Dyer - Armada Books 1960s - 1970s The School at the Chalet Jo of the Chalet School The Princess of the Chalet School The Head-Girl of the Chalet School The Rivals of the Chalet School Eustacia Goes to the Chalet School The Chalet School and Jo The Chalet Girls in Camp The Exploits of the Chalet Girls The Chalet School and the Lintons The New House at the Chalet School Jo Returns to the Chalet School The New Chalet School The Chalet School in Exile The Chalet School Goes to It Highland Twins at the Chalet School Lavender Laughs in the Chalet School Gay From China at the Chalet School Jo to the Rescue a Mystery at the Chalet School b Tom Tackles the Chalet School c The Chalet School and Rosalie Three Go to the Chalet School The Chalet School and the Island Peggy of the Chalet School Carola Storms the Chalet School The Wrong Chalet School Shocks for the Chalet School The Chalet School in the Oberland Bride Leads the Chalet School Changes for the Chalet School Joey Goes to the Oberland The Chalet School and Barbara The Chalet School Does it Again A Chalet Girl from Kenya Mary-Lou of the Chalet School A Genius at the Chalet School A Problem for the Chalet School The New Mistress at the Chalet School Excitements at the Chalet School The Coming of Age of the Chalet School The Chalet School and Richenda Trials for the Chalet School Theodora and the Chalet School Joey and Co. in Tirol Ruey Richardson – Chaletian A Leader in the Chalet School The Chalet School Wins the Trick A Future Chalet School Girl The Feud in the Chalet School The Chalet School Triplets The Chalet School Reunion Jane and the Chalet School Redheads at the Chalet School Adrienne and the Chalet School Summer Term at the Chalet School Challenge for the Chalet School Two Sams at the Chalet School Althea Joins the Chalet School Prefects of the Chalet School Chalet School Fête All our paper backs are original and in good readable condition no loose or missing papers some do have inscriptions inside the front cover and some wear to the spine of the book. Nothing but light use and a great alternative to purchasing a modern reprint. There’s nothing quite like the feel and smell of a vintage book! Please note that delivery prices are worked out for group purchases per book We charge 95p for packing and face value on postage which is standard delivery usually between 7 - 10 working days world wide and 3 - 5 days Domestic postage ( UK ) Any one requiring faster shipping or tracked services please contact us before purchasing. Thank you.