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1mmi's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Such a nostalgic read!
sallym's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tje_reads's review
5.0
One of my favourite books from childhood and a definite comfort read...I've read (and own) more than half the book in the series countless times...
pennyriley's review
3.0
Three stars for nostalgia! I loved these stories of a Englishschool in Austria when I was growing up in England in the 50s and 60s, and series like this made up much of my reading. I was not critical of them then in the same way that I am now. They rewrite history (the first world war was started by the Prussians), while not totally racist they certainly promulgate national stereotypes, such as the emotional French, the stiff Germans etc. And in the same vein, Madge is regretful that her Head Girl can't be an English girl as there isn't one available. It seems ironic that while teaching three languages (French, German and English) the main aim of the school seems to be to turn out young English ladies, with not a trace of slang about them! But I have found some for free on internetarchive.org so will probably read a couple more before giving up completely. They are not ebooks, but photos of original material, borrowable for two weeks.
rebuiltbybooks's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scaifea's review
2.0
A young woman with no parents, a brother abroad, and a sickly younger sister decides to open a boarding school for girls in the Austrian Tyrol. A little too heavy on the saccharine and too light on everything else for me.
laurawright's review
5.0
Have loved these books for years and now I'm going back and re-reading them in order
celiaedf12's review
4.0
The first book in the Chalet School series (which comprises an incredible 60 volumes). I decided to re-read the series this year - or what books I can get hold of, as many of them are out of print - and do it in order.
In School at the Chalet we meet English sisters Madge (in her early twenties) and Joey Bettany (a twelve year old). Madge has decided to start a boarding school in Austria, in a small chalet in the mountains, with Joey as her first pupil. The school develops in leaps and bounds in this first book - many students are introduced, expeditions are undertaken, and the scenery and "fresh mountain air" of Austria is lovingly described. A terribly fun book.
In School at the Chalet we meet English sisters Madge (in her early twenties) and Joey Bettany (a twelve year old). Madge has decided to start a boarding school in Austria, in a small chalet in the mountains, with Joey as her first pupil. The school develops in leaps and bounds in this first book - many students are introduced, expeditions are undertaken, and the scenery and "fresh mountain air" of Austria is lovingly described. A terribly fun book.
museoffire's review
3.0
How I long for the days when one could just decide to start a girl's school in Austria on a whim!
This is, I am told, a beloved series in Europe and as part of my continuing education in all things "girls adventure stories" related I figured it was long past time to cross the pond. I'm especially interested in this series because it began in 1925 and with over 60 books written over almost 50 years it chronicles, through fiction, a truly huge piece of volatile European history.
In a nutshell "The School at the Chalet" tells the story of two sisters, Madge and Joey Bettany. Twenty something Madge decides to start a girls school in the Alps partly to earn money but also to help her sickly sister young Joey (Alpine air being good for what ails you apparently). So that's what they do!
While I might be slightly baffled by the Lord of the Fliesesque behavior of British boarding school girls on the whole this is a pretty delightful series and I've got book 2 on the way as I type this. Looking forward to seeing how Bettany sisters make out!
This is, I am told, a beloved series in Europe and as part of my continuing education in all things "girls adventure stories" related I figured it was long past time to cross the pond. I'm especially interested in this series because it began in 1925 and with over 60 books written over almost 50 years it chronicles, through fiction, a truly huge piece of volatile European history.
In a nutshell "The School at the Chalet" tells the story of two sisters, Madge and Joey Bettany. Twenty something Madge decides to start a girls school in the Alps partly to earn money but also to help her sickly sister young Joey (Alpine air being good for what ails you apparently). So that's what they do!
While I might be slightly baffled by the Lord of the Fliesesque behavior of British boarding school girls on the whole this is a pretty delightful series and I've got book 2 on the way as I type this. Looking forward to seeing how Bettany sisters make out!
samanthawattam's review
4.0
24 year old Madge Bettany is looking for some way of supporting herself and her sister Joey and she hits upon the idea of starting a school in a chalet beside Lake Tiernsee in the Austrian Tyrol.
This was a trip down memory lane for me I remember loving the Chalet School stories when I was young and so when I spotted this book in a charity shop the first in the series I had to see whether it lived up to my memories of it.
To be honest I was quite surprised by its modern take on some things but obviously it is at times eyebrow raising at others especially when Dick, Madge’s brother says “I know she’s a jolly good sort, but women are so helpless! They ought to have a man look after them.” I did gasp out loud at that one! This was originally published in 1925 nearly 100 years ago and this novel spawned a series that Elinor M. Brent-Dyer wrote 65 books over 45 years - quite an achievement. It is interesting that there is included in the book a small story strand of the early seeds of racism between Frau Berlin a local woman the girls meet and clash with.
But I loved how the intricacies of friendship, the clashes of personalities and culture were interwoven into the story. Madge dealing with the new experience of being headmistress and treating Joey her sister who is also a pupil at the school the same as the other students whilst at the same time maintaining their closeness as sisters.
There is plenty of adventure and escapades through the story as the Chalet School increases its number of pupils some day girls and some as boarders those who embrace school life and others who struggle with being away from home. There are also the parents and the locals as well who are all part of the story.
This was a trip down memory lane for me I remember loving the Chalet School stories when I was young and so when I spotted this book in a charity shop the first in the series I had to see whether it lived up to my memories of it.
To be honest I was quite surprised by its modern take on some things but obviously it is at times eyebrow raising at others especially when Dick, Madge’s brother says “I know she’s a jolly good sort, but women are so helpless! They ought to have a man look after them.” I did gasp out loud at that one! This was originally published in 1925 nearly 100 years ago and this novel spawned a series that Elinor M. Brent-Dyer wrote 65 books over 45 years - quite an achievement. It is interesting that there is included in the book a small story strand of the early seeds of racism between Frau Berlin a local woman the girls meet and clash with.
But I loved how the intricacies of friendship, the clashes of personalities and culture were interwoven into the story. Madge dealing with the new experience of being headmistress and treating Joey her sister who is also a pupil at the school the same as the other students whilst at the same time maintaining their closeness as sisters.
There is plenty of adventure and escapades through the story as the Chalet School increases its number of pupils some day girls and some as boarders those who embrace school life and others who struggle with being away from home. There are also the parents and the locals as well who are all part of the story.