The Chalet School and the Island (by Elinor M Brent-Dyer)

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In my current meandering re-read of Elinor M Brent-Dyer’s long ‘Chalet School’ series, I reached the one which was 21st in the original series, ‘The Chalet School and the Island’.  I last read this in 2011 and had only the vaguest memories of what it involved. 

I previously had an Armada paperback edition of this book which was falling to pieces, so was pleased to be given an old (but well-kept) hardback by a relative who was getting rid of some inherited books a few years ago. However, according to the official list, there were no cuts in the paperback version. 

It opens with a discussion between some of the Chalet School trustees about a necessary relocation due to a problem with drains in the Welsh village where they had previously been - and where there was no hint of a roblem in the previous book, ‘Three Go to the Chalet School’ which I re-read about six weeks ago. Unsurprisingly a perfect solution emerges, this time on a small (fictional) island, St Briavel’s, off the Welsh coast. 

The huge mansion, previously inhabited by a family, is turned into a school for several hundred girls, and the family relocate to a smaller house nearby. The oldest daughter the family, Dickie Christie, who is about sixteen, joins the Chalet School and is a likeable, hard-working and quite athletic person who quickly makes friends and fits in. She has a younger step-sister, Cherry, who has been temporarily disabled in an accident, who is about ten. Cherry is very angry that the school has taken over their home, and determined to have nothing to do with them.

I’ve never really understood why Elinor M Brent-Dyer decided to relocate the school again, unless it was to be able to have water sports again, and a subplot involving a rebellious girl with an unpleasant aunt. Annis doesn’t want to be at the Chalet School and there’s quite an exciting chapter when she uses a rowing boat to try to get to the mainland in the hope of escaping her aunt’s clutches. 

There’s also rather a dull section about sea-birds, with another subplot involving a local bird expert who regularly broadcasts on the radio, and who lives on a nearby island. Every so often these books leap into something directly educational - possibly because the author was a teacher herself, with some quite radical ideas for the era - but I don’t generally find them at all interesting. However they’re easy enough to skim, and the bird expert does have an important role to play later in the book. 

‘The Chalet School and the Island’ is not one of my favourites of the series, but it’s a pleasant enough read, with one or two quite moving moments as well as some light-hearted scenes. I found I did recall most of it as I read, but that wasn't a problem. 

Unlikely to be of much interest to today's teens, unless they are already hooked on the series, but worth acquiring by those, like me, who remember the series fondly from our childhood and teenage years. The book isn't currently in print, but inexpensive paperback editions can often be found online; since the paperbacks were, apparently, uncut for this book there's no point looking for a hardback or Girls Gone By edition unless you are collecting them specifically, or find them at a reasonable price. 

Review copyright 2023 Sue's Book Reviews