Susan Pulls the Strings

This weekend I re-read Susan Pulls the Strings. It is an interesting story because it is the first in the series and also quite different from all the others that came after it. Several of the Jane Shaw hallmarks are there, such as the coincidences, unlikely crook and Charlotte's impulses, but if you look closely you see that there are some aspects that would never resurface in the later books. First of all, the usually active Susan spends a good part of the story laid up with a chill. There is also a slightly darker side to her. The Susan of the subsequent books would never pull Aunt Lucy into a freezing pond and try to make her ill. Midge is a lot more active. Although there are references to her laziness and how she loves to sleep late, she is on the move a lot more and doesn't keep complaining every time she is asked to do something that involves more than lifting a finger. Aunt Lucy is portrayed as more of an oddball. Like Charlotte, she too has her sudden urges and enthusiasms, but that would be greatly toned down as the series progressed. She would go on to be merely naive in the next few books, unable to understand her charges' dislike of the talented and gifted Gascoignes. By the end of the series, even that trait in her character would disappear and she would just become like everyone's favourite aunt. The story is also different because there is less madcap banter and slapstick comedy. As the 1950s drew to a close, Jane Shaw's editor at Collins would note that her characters were becoming more caricatured. She worked hard to bring this under control, but Susan became more of a busybody, Midge became lazier and the Gascoignes became ghastlier. A possible reason for this is that at Collins she no longer had the editorial advice of Jocelyn Oliver. When he moved to Nelson, Jane Shaw wrote the Penny series for him. There is a marked difference between the slapstick style of the Susan books and the light humour of the Penny series. But whatever the reason for its being different, Susan Pulls the Strings is a unique reading experience.

Jane Shaw Quiz 71

In the Susan series, who is Miss Bracken?

The answer to Quiz 70: Selina Gascoigne marries artist Sam Pilkington, assuming the ridiculous double-barrelled name of Selina Gascoigne-Pilkington.

Quote of the Day

"No, Aunt Lucy," said Susan, "I was lying bound and gagged next door."

"And as for you. Charlotte," went on Aunt Lucy, "I ask you to set the table and you just calmly go off in the middle - what did you say, Susan?"

"I said," said Susan, "that I was lying bound and gagged in the empty house next door."

Aunt Lucy burst out, "Now look here, Susan, I might as well tell you here and now that these stories have got to stop. Nobody thinks it's funny, nobody thinks it's clever, nobody-"

"Aunt Lucy," Charlotte interrupted before Aunt Lucy could work herself up any further, "it's quite true."

From SUSAN PULLS THE STRINGS, Chapter 12, New Year Resolutions.

Buried Treasures 6

The cover of my personal favourite of all of Jane Shaw's books: A Job for Susan (1969). This scene from Chapter 2, A Job for Bill, shows the girls discovering Sir Arthur Symes, a.k.a the Wicked Baronet, a.k.a. the Bad Bart, spying on Susan's house, more specifically the room she has baptized as Bluebeard's Chamber. The artist, whose signature appears in the bottom right-hand corner, is Roger Hall, who would go on to illustrate the British editions of the Three Investigators series.

Jane Shaw Quiz 70

Which local personality does Selina Gascoigne marry in Wichwood Village?

The answer to Quiz 69: The museum that Ricky, Julie and Fay visit in Paris is the Musée Grevin, a waxworks museum.

Quote of the Day

Suddenly Susan, who had apparently been doing some mental arithmetic, said, "Bill, even if they all pay half a crown, which isn't very likely, that only comes to twelve-and-six. It'll be years before we collect enough to buy one truck far less a whole railway."

"I'm trying not to think of that," said Bill.

"But we must think of that," said Susan. "I wish we could sell the puppets for a large sum."

"Nobody in their senses would buy them for a large sum," said Bill.

"Oh, I would," said Susan.

Bill looked at her speculatively. "How much?" he said.

From SUSAN PULLS THE STRINGS, Chapter 8, The Empty House Next Door.

Willow Green Mystery illustration

A scene from Lost Boy, the sixth chapter of Willow Green Mystery. Miss Woodward loses her patience with Bella the cow, who has trampled on her prize-winning garden.

Jane Shaw Quiz 69

Which Parisian waxworks museum do the girls visit in Crooks Tour?

The answer to Quiz 68: Lynette du Toit is the new girl at Northmead who has just arrived from Africa. Despite early misgivings, she becomes friends with Nicky and Kay. 

Quote of the Day

One of the nice things about getting back to Johannesburg was that we plunged into a wild whirl of gaiety. Aunt Helen had a terrific party to meet some of our relations' friends. You never saw such a spread in your life, cold meats of all kinds and the most wonderful salads, not just a bit of lettuce and a tomato, oh no, but glorious mixtures of pineapples and celery and avocado pear and cream cheese and nuts and green peppers and red peppers and asparagus to name but a few, some of them formed into moulds. Even apart from their delicious taste, you never saw anything so pretty.

From NOTHING HAPPENED AFTER ALL, Chapter 8, Interlude in Civilisation. Once again we see Jane Shaw's mastery of long sentences that do not leave the reader feeling out of breath. One sentence in this quote has 64 words.

The Adventures of a Snowman

An illustration from The Adventures of a Snowman (1954, reprinted 1959). Clarissa culminates a night of adventure by catching the poacher. Click on the picture for a much larger view.

Jane Shaw Quiz 68

In New House at Northmead, who is Lynette du Toit?

The answer to Quiz 67: When they returned to Scotland from Africa, Jane Shaw and her husband set up home on the isle of Arran.

Quote of the Day

Operation Peach went off without a hitch. As usual Belinda and Mike were awake as soon as the sun began to stream in their windows. They found a big basket in the kitchen and crept out through the yard in their pyjamas, and quickly filled the basket with big luscious ripe peaches, and secreted them in the 'stable'. Really, the only snag was that they forgot that the grass was still wet at that hour of the morning, and they were horrified to discover on returning to their rooms that the legs of their pyjamas were soaking wet.

From VENTURE TO SOUTH AFRICA, Chapter 9, Looking After Stella.

Looking After Thomas illustration

A scene from Chapter 3 of Looking After Thomas: Night Prowler. Thomas accidentally attacks David in the corridor of their Paris hotel.

Jane Shaw Quiz 67

When Jane Shaw and her husband retired to Scotland, where did they set up their home?

The answer to Jane Shaw Quiz 66: the Carmichaels' maid is Joe Taylor's mother.

Quote of the Day

But Charlotte wasn't going to be mollified by any feeble little jokes, even Susan's; she was still furious. "Why should it upset him to hear that this Julian Gascoigne, whoever he may be, is your uncle?"

"Because we can check up on this bird-watcher, of course," said Gabrielle. "I don't believe he's what he says he is, I don't believe he's an ornithologist. I don't believe he has anything to do with St. Jude's at all."

From SUSAN MUDDLES THROUGH, Chapter 6, Investigating Cap'n Dan.

Crooked Sixpence illustration

A scene from Chapter 3, Fair Waved the Golden Corn: Penny and Laura help Mrs. Greenwood.

Jane Shaw Quiz 66

In the Susan books, what is the relationship between the Carmichaels' maid and Joe the policeman?

The answer to Jane Shaw Quiz 65: Miss Phillimore is the head mistress at St. Ronan's.

Quote of the Day

By tea-time it wasn't Susan that was up, but her temperature. Throughout the afternoon the family had dropped into her room at intervals to commiserate with her, and the cause of all the trouble came down and settled with her under the eiderdown when Aunt Lucy wasn't looking. Susan was very glad to see them all, but she couldn't help wishing that she was in better trim, as she put it, for vistors. Really, she felt very peculiar indeed, and in spite of two hot-water bottles, four blankets, an eiderdown and Chang, she just couldn't get warm.

From SUSAN PULLS THE STRINGS, Chapter 7, Chang Breaks the Ice.

Threepenny Bit illustration

This scan from the opening of Threepenny Bit shows the Carters' car drawing near Bath for their first visit to the Mallory family. In this book they meet Marietjie and Piet from South Africa.

Jane Shaw Quiz 65

In the Susan series, who is Miss Phillimore?

The answer to Quiz 64: Belinda's nickname is Blinky.

Quote of the Day

"No, no," said Diana heartily, "these will be fine. A bit squashed perhaps, but they'll be all right when we pick all that fluff off them."

"Delicious tea we're going to have," murmured Hermione.

Susan had bustled forward and was giving the buns a dust down with the sleeve of her cardigan. "Susan," cried Diana when she saw what was going on, "don't use your cardigan, for goodness sake!"

"It's quite all right, Diana," said Susan, "they won't hurt it, I use it for wiping up ink and jam and everything-"

From SUSAN AT SCHOOL, Chapter 2, Super Fags.

Susan Interferes: Children's Press with Spine

This Children's Press cover scan from 1965 includes the spine. Susan is not enthusiastic about Peregrine being armed during the holiday in Switzerland... 

Collins Annual 1954

The cover of the original Collins Annual 1954 with the first Susan short story, The Wilson's Won't Mind.

Susan Pulls the Strings spine (Children's Press)

A nice scan of the spine of the Children's Press edition of Susan Pulls the Strings. Here we see Susan at the beginning of the very first chapter of the book, doing her maths homework and feeling quite proud that she has worked out a theorem. The subject that she is working on is geometry. She comments, rather oddly in my point of view, that she "quite likes" geometry, if she has a decent point on her pencil. Even more curiously, she goes on to add that algebra is "not bad", but that she doesn't like arithmetic. As arithmetic is the easiest aspect of maths, preferring geometry and algebra sounds unusual, especially in the case of Susan as we gradually come to know her as the not-so-very-dedicated pupil she turns out to be at St. Ronan's. As noted in a previous post, which you can read here, maths teachers turned out to be the most unpopular instructors in all of Jane Shaw's school stories. But the main focus of the first chapter of Susan Pulls the Strings is to let the reader know that Susan will be moving to London to stay with the Carmichaels during her parents' sojourn in Africa, so the subject of her homework is not meant to be very important.

Det Fixar Fifi!

This is the last of the scans that Eva Löfgren has sent me so far, the cover of Susan Interferes in Swedish. The title means Fifi will fix it. The Swedish covers certainly cast the series in a different light.

Jane Shaw Quiz 64

In Venture to South Africa, what is Belinda's nickname?

The answer to Quiz 63: Jean Patrick graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in English Language and Literature.

Quote of the Day

Jill and John and Laura, who had been unobtrusively - they hoped - peeping behind the girl as she and Penny were talking, were itching to get inside. Penny, who was wondering why the girl had been crying, said without much conviction, "We don't want to bother you-"

"Bother us!" said the girl. "We haven't spoken to anyone in a fortnight! Come in."

From THREEPENNY BIT, Chapter 5, Showers of Pennies.

Fulle Rulle, Fifi!

Thanks once again to the indefatigable Eva Löfgren for sending me this scan of the Swedish cover of No Trouble for Susan. This is my favourite of the Swedish covers and it shows the hilarious scene where Charlotte gets the pot stuck on her head just before she's meant to go on stage. Hilarious! And the clothes are quite different from what British readers were used to. Midge looks somewhat like Daphne from Scooby Doo...

Jane Shaw Quiz 63

In which subject did Jean Patrick (Jane Shaw) earn a degree from Glasgow University in the 1930s?

The answer to Quiz 62: Susan's favourite cake is a walnut cake from Fuller's. The picture shows this delicious cake that Susan and Tessa enjoyed in A Job for Susan on a bitterly cold afternoon in Wichwood Village on their return from St. Ronan's in the Lyles' new house just down the road from where the Carmichaels lived. I always smile when I read this part of the book because although the girls are described as feeling bloated after a huge tea, Mrs. Lyle immediately sets to preparing dinner even before they have even begun to digest this hearty meal. Food is an extremely important element in Susan's life. No matter how much she eats at breakfast, lunch or dinner, there is always plenty of room for ices and snacks with cold drinks in summer or extra cakes and sandwiches with hot drinks in winter!

Treasure Book: The Wilsons Won't Mind

This is the cover of The Treasure Book for Girls 1958, which includes a reprint of The Wilsons Won't Mind, the first of the Susan short stories. Collins certainly made sure they got their money's worth out of Jane Shaw's short stories. Many of the stories she wrote for her publishers were included in a number of different annuals over the years. However, anyone imagining that the author rubbed her hands with glee over the extra royalties she would receive with every reprint should think again. As was common practice in the 1950s, the stories were sold outright for a flat fee. It was only in the mid 1960s that contracts began to include royalties for every copy of a book sold. By that time, Jane Shaw's career was winding down and she was only entitled to these extra royalties from the last few Susan books, which were not as widely circulated as their predecessors. Consequently, all the extra mileage eked out of the Susan books and Crooks Tour in the Children's Press editions was exclusively to the benefit of the publishers.

Quote of the Day

Susan didn't think that Pea-green had had nearly such an exciting day as she had had - who had had all the worry of the blessed silkworms anyway? Still, Pea-green temperaments weren't her concern, luckily.

From SUSAN RUSHES IN, Chapter 12, A New Career for Charlotte. The word HAD appears six times in one sentence, to great comic effect.

Jane Shaw Quiz 62

What is Susan's favourite cake?

The answer to Quiz 61: In Bernese Adventure, when Sara realizes she has no money, she pays for her lemonade with a book.

The Treasure Book for Boys and Girls

This Treasure Book for Boys and Girls (dating from the late 1940s or early 1950s) is quite a special Collins annual because it contains not one but two Jane Shaw stories, namely The Lonely Giant (Page 69), immediately followed by Griselda and the Rain Fairies (Page 77). A real treat...

Maths Teachers in Jane Shaw

I wonder whether Jean Patrick had trouble with mathematics when she was at school. I say this because I've noticed that all of the most unpopular teachers in her stories are maths teachers. In the Caroline and Sara books and The Crew of the Belinda, we only see the characters during the holidays or on the last day of school, so we know little about their teachers. But starting in The Moochers and recurring in all the other school stories she ever wrote, the maths teachers are the ones who get the hardest deal. The Moochers mention that at their bankrupt co-educational school, Percie, they had a maths teacher called Mr. Williams, whom they describe as having a "lashing tongue". At Pendragon Manor, the most horrible teacher is Miss Perry, known to the girls as The Winkle. She is sarcastic and has an "acid voice"; the girls take an instant dislike to her and she to them. In the Northmead books, we do not actually get to meet the maths teacher, but we are told that her name is Miss Pratt-Paton, known as P-squared and described as "an old meanie". Later in the 1960s Jean Bell wrote A Girl with Ideas, set at Thornton Combe in Somerset. The dreaded maths teacher at this school is Miss Parker, whom the girls predictably nickname Nosy Parker. She is a nasty piece of work, never hesitating to tell the girls how useless and stupid they are and springing surprise tests on them out of the blue. At one point she even demands that the whole form should be expelled for cheating in their homework. However, when it comes to really horrible teachers, first prize has to go to Miss Ferrier (picture), the dreaded maths teacher at St. Ronan's, known to the girls as The Ferret. Susan, Midge and Tessa detest and fear this woman. She too has an acid tongue and indulges in cruel sarcasm. But there is more: she is apparently devoid of any redeeming qualities. In The Moochers and A Girl with Ideas, there are times when the reader feels sorry for the teachers or can at least sympathise with them. Miss Perry takes up with a crooked local councillor who just uses her to obtain inside information about the school so that he can force it to close and Miss Perry is let down because she believes this connving man actually wishes to marry her. Katherine and Fiona can't help thinking that this is more than even she deserves. Miss Parker is not 100% bad because the girls actually did cheat and she is quite right to be angry about it. But Miss Ferrier possesses no attributes that soften her character at all. She doesn't hesitate to punish the girls with extra maths even on a Saturday afternoon and is oblivious to their appeals that they should be playing hockey, even when it is a big match and the honour of the school is at stake. The only characters that come off worse than her are the Gascoignes.

So why is it that the maths teachers come across as such unlikeable people? I suspect that the author had some bad times with them at school. When I was growing up in Glasgow, I too had some awful experiences in maths classes. Most of the teachers of this subject that I came up against were sarcastic and seemed to adopt the attitude that if you couldn't understand maths that was just hard lines. I remember one teacher, whom we called Big Bob D or Bob the Slob. He would come in, scribble an equation on the board that always seemed to end with x=2 and tell us to "dae the exercise" while he stomped out of the room for a smoke. The only time I sought help from him while struggling with the bewildering maze of algebra he mockingly said with his unforgettable big cheesy grin "So ye cannae understand it? Aww..." Then, to add insult to injury, at a parents' meeting, he told my mother to tell me to "just ask him" when I found the going too tough! I did have one maths teacher who was nice, a Mr. Durkin. He did strange things like explaining, giving clear examples and even repeating if you didn't get it, something his peers seemed incapable of. But if I were to write a book about a school, the maths teacher would probably come out like one of Jane Shaw's.

Quote of the Day

So then I began to feel better and tried to thank Pierre for dashing to my rescue, but Pierre only laughed and said that it was easy to be courageous when an important member of the Sûreté was right behind you.

"The Sûreté?" I gaped. "That's the French equivalent of Scotland Yard, isn't it? Then he really is a flic after all?"

From ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, Chapter 14, Show-down.

Susan in Swedish: Fiffigt, Fifi!

Thanks once again to Eva Löfgren, who sent me this scan of Susan's Trying Term in Swedish. While the  UK edition shows an illustration of Gabrielle Gascoigne's arrival at St. Ronan's, the Swedish edition shows a scene from Chapter 4, when Susan catches the young boy who was thrown off the roundabout at the fair. The title in Swedish means Smart Girl. All the Swedish covers were drawn by Heidi Lindgren. Although the name Fifi is used in the titles, Susan's real name is used in the stories. However, Midge's name is changed to Myggan, and Pea-green becomes Grinus, meaning Whiner or Complainer. For more about the Swedish editions, you can read Eva Löfgren's chapter in Susan and Friends, entitled Fifi and the Fish, which is the sole source of information on the Swedish books and translations.

Jane Shaw Quiz 61

In Bernese Adventure, when Sara finds she has no money to pay for the lemonade she has just finished drinking, how does she resolve the situation?

The answer to Quiz 60: The Folding Letter is the handwritten letter by William Shakespeare in Susan's Helping Hand that is stolen by the Mad Collector.

Quote of the Day

But she couldn't just stand there, feeling sick. She made a dart at the bed, remembering her own invariable hiding-place for illicit comics when she was small, and pushed back the mattress. There lay a solitaire diamond ring and a crescent brooch, the very bag with Midland Bank on it that she had handed to the unknown at the gymkhana, a soft pigskin purse.

("I was right," she though, "I was right!")

From FOURPENNY FAIR, Chapter 15, Proof.

Treasure Box: The Lonely Giant

This is another very rare annual that contains a Jane Shaw story, The Lonely Giant. In Susan and Friends, it is listed as having appeared in The Treasure Book for Boys and Girls. This annual is called The Treasure Box for Boys and Girls. However, I don't think that the listing in Susan and Friends is in error. Both titles existed and it is perfectly conceivable that the story was printed in both. Jean Evans herself does not seem to have kept a copy of these Treasure Box annuals, otherwise they would have been found during preparation for Susan and Friends.

Quote of the Day

Margaret Scott was more encouraging. "I'm going to do it," she announced, "the Library, I mean. I think it might be quite a success: and if not, I'd rather hang for a sheep. If you come along at ten to-morrow, or is that too early?... All right, ten to-morrow and I'll hire you for the day - And will I make you work for your shillings!"

From THE CREW OF THE BELINDA, Chapter 12, Financial Crisis.

The Dog Who Couldn't Learn Tricks

While doing some browsing recently, I came across this annual called The Treasure Box, undated but from the late 1940s or early 1950s. I was surprised to see that the first item in the contents was The Dog Who Couldn't Learn Tricks, by Jane Shaw, surprised because it was the first I had ever heard of this story; it's not even listed in Susan and Friends. This story doesn't seem to have been reprinted elsewhere. I've found three annuals with The Wilsons Won't Mind, and the same goes for Susan's School Play and even The Onion Man. However, the stories for very young children don't appear to have got the same mileage. Most of them are easy to find because they were printed in the Collins Children's Annual, which enjoyed a wide circulation. However, the three Treasure Box annuals obviously were not printed in such large numbers. But now this long-lost treasure has been unearthed. 

Griselda and the Giant (colour illustration)

The colour illustration of Griselda and the Giant.

Collins Annual: Griselda and the Giant

This is the cover of the Collins Children's Annual that features Griselda and the Giant. Like all the Collins annuals it is undated, but is probably from 1958.

Jane Shaw Quiz 60

What is the Folding Letter?

The answer to Quiz 59: Sid has a bad stutter.

Quote of the Day

It wasn't until the train reached Rigi Kulm that their true situation dawned on them. All the passengers left the train and handed their tickets to a ticket inspector. Susan and Midge looked at each other.

"We haven't got a ticket!" said Susan.

"No," Midge agreed.

"We haven't any money!" Susan's voice went up to a high squeak.

"No," said Midge.

"What are we to do?" said Susan.

"Nothing," said Midge.

From SUSAN INTERFERES, Chapter 2, Up the Airy Mountains.

Fritt Fram, Fifi: Susan's Helping Hand

And Eva Löfgren came through once again with this scan of the cover of Susan's Helping Hand in Swedish. This is my favourite scene from the Susan stories, the runaway lawnmower at Cousin Barbara's farm. Eva informs me that a possible translation of the title is Susan at Large, which sounds just like a title that Jane Shaw herself might have used if she had continued the series. Eva, who contributed a chapter to Susan and Friends about the Swedish editions, often points out to me that the characters' clothes may look a bit strange to English-speaking Jane Shaw enthusiasts. Certainly, when the books were published in the 1950s, the characters would never have worn jeans, but at least the artist got the girls' hair colour right, although Bill has been given grey hair... Note that the name of the author has been included as a signpost, which Cousin Barbara would never have put in the middle of a field on her own farm! Flickböcker means Books for Girls. According to Eva in Susan and Friends, B. Wahlström is a well-known publisher of children's books in Sweden that has been publishing juvenile books since 1914.

Jane Shaw Quiz 59

In the Penny books, why does the little orphan Sid have problems communicating with people?

The answer to Quiz 58: David and Tish are twins.

Quote of the Day

COME and keep us company, wrote Aunt Madeleine. Your Uncle James and I are going to Switzerland for a few weeks. Please come. Meet us at Zurich on the 29th of July and we shall all go on to Böningberg.

From THE TALL MAN, Chapter 1, Lost - An Uncle and Aunt.

Fina Fisken, Fifi: Susan in Swedish

Thanks once again to Eva Löfgren, who sent me this very nice scan today of the cover of Fina Fisken, Fifi, the Swedish edition of Susan Pulls the Strings. The title means "Fine Fish" and seems to have a similar meaning to the famous Laurel and Hardy line "Another fine mess". This scan is of a much higher and clearer resolution than the one I posted last year.

Jane Shaw Quiz 58

In the Thomas stories, what is special about the relationship of David and Tish?

The answer to Quiz 57: Susan's father is called David Lyle and he is an engineer.

Quote of the Day

The hockey-pitches were waterlogged. Miss Dickson, the games mistress, and Elizabeth Lamont had grown impatient, and one afternoon, when the clouds actually cleared off for once and a watery sun had made a tentative appearance for half and hour or so, had ordered a practice. It had not been a great success; the mud was inches deep, no-one could run, far less hit a ball, and the rumour went round - and actually in later years became a school legend - that a girl had been lost in the mud.

From NORTHMEAD NUISANCE, Chapter 6, Operation Nuisance.

Farligt fiffel, Fifi!

Thanks to Eva Löfgren from Sweden for sending me these scans of the front and back covers of Susan at School as published in Sweden. As far as I know, Swedish was the only foreign language in which any of Jane Shaw's stories were published. A complete list of the Swedish editions and some more information about them can be read in an earlier post here.

Jane Shaw Quiz 57

What is the name of Susan's father and what is his profession?

The answer to Quiz 56: This Collins annual from the late 1950s is unique because it does not contain a Jane Shaw story. For many years from the early 1950s into the 1960s, Jane Shaw had always got top billing, but on this occasion the top billing went to other established authors, as can be seen below. The complete contents are:

7 * Bayley, Violet * Ten-Fifteen * ss; illus. D. L. Wynne

16 * Chappell, Mollie * Rescue at Redford * ss; illus. Madeleine Mays

25 * Knight, Frank * The Prince of Oyster Creek * ss; illus. Jean Main and David Cobb

33 * [Comic Strip] * The Secret Attic * cs

37 * Stephen, David * Kirsty's Talking Crow * ss; illus. Rene Cloke

47 * Shannon, Geraldine * The Day the Lion Got Loose * ss; illus. R.A. Branton

52 * Matheson, Jean * Dear Doubleface * ss; illus. Bettine Golby

60 * Weston, Kay * The World of Fashion: At Your Fingertips * ar; illus. Mob

65 * Austen, Jane * Enter Darcy: from Pride and Prejudice * ss; illus. Geoffrey Whittam

72 * Brooke, Rupert * The Great Lover: These I Have Loved * pm; illus. J. S. Goodall R.I. R.B.A.

73 * Oxenham, Elsie * Mistakes in the Abbey * ss; illus. Frank Varty

83 * Pullien-Thompson, Christine * A Job in Life * ss; illus. Sheila Rose

91 * Rossetti, Christina * A Birthday * pm; illus. J. S. Goodall R.I.R.B.A.

92 * Chappell, Mollie * Portrait of Caroline * ss; illus. Valerie Sweet

101 * Mob * Fashion Facts * ar; illus. Mob

104 * Dehn, Olive * Care Taken * pm; illus. J. S. Goodall R.I. R.B.A.

105 * Holmes, Winifred * The Secret of the Queen's Pyramid * ss; illus. H. C. Gaffron

112 * Boyd, Edward * My Sister the Cavewoman * ss; illus. J. B. Long

120 * Bayley, Viola * The Latch-key * ss; illus. R. Gillings

Quote of the Day

Susan felt quite ill at the dreaded word stepmother, and Charlotte made angry noises. "I'm sure it's unlucky even to mention the possibility," she said. "I say, here's your hat, on this shelf!"

"Goodness," said Midge, jamming it on her head, "where it ought to be! I'd never have thought of looking there-"

From SUSAN RUSHES IN, Chapter 7, Kitchen Knife, Circa 1920. 

Rousing Midge

One of my favourite features of the Susan stories are the ploys Susan uses to get Midge out of bed in the morning (or in the middle of the night if it's for one of their nocturnal excursions). At the beginning of Susan Pulls the Strings, after just one night in Wichwood, Susan amazes the Carmichaels by getting Midge downstairs in time for breakfast. How this was done is not explained, the text merely stating that "Susan set to work on her". However, as the series developed, a number of amusing ways were found to drag the reluctant Midge out of her peaceful slumber. My particular favourite is in Susan Muddles Through, when a cold wet sponge is used. In Susan Rushes In, when the cousins are going to collect mulberry leaves from the gallery across the street to save Pea-green's stolen silk worms from starvation, Susan shines a torch beam into Midge's eyes until she wakes up. In Where is Susan? the ploy is to just keep talking and bombarding Midge with questions until she is obliged to haul herself out of bed. In Susan's Trying Term, when Gabrielle breaks the school rules by sneaking out to the fair, Susan appeals to her cousin's conscience, warning her that this could mean Charlotte losing her coveted position as head of the house and being replaced by Hermione Pennington-Smith. Whatever tactic is used, rousing Midge always provides a comic moment in the stories.

Quote of the Day

Susan felt rather uncomfortable at the thought of switching patron saints... but she had to admit that the Venetians had made a gorgeous job of St. Mark's... and perhaps St. Theodore hadn't really minded... he probably wouldn't, seeing that he was a saint...

From WHERE IS SUSAN?, Chapter 3, Refuge.

Jane Shaw Quiz 56

Why is this Collins annual from the late 1950s unique?

The answer to Quiz 55: The illness that Penny gets in Fivepenny Mystery is chicken pox. This illness is often a plot device in Jane Shaw. It was chicken pox that sent Susan to Kent in Susan's Helping Hand and kept Katherine and Fiona at school in The Moochers Abroad.

Places in Jane Shaw: Monkton Combe

Today's quote describes the arrival of Penny and her family at Friars Combe, near Bath. In real life, the village is called Monkton Combe. Here it can be seen from a distance. Jean Evans loved Bath and the surrounding area. One of the reasons for this is that her favourite author, Jane Austen, lived there from 1800 to 1806 and partly set two of her novels (Persuasion and Northanger Abbey) there.

Jane Shaw Quiz 55

Which illness does Penny get in Fivepenny Mystery that results in her going to stay with the Gräfin von Adlerhorst?

The answer to Quiz 54: Laura and John Mallory call each other Jo.

Quote of the Day

"This must be Friars Combe," said Jill, consulting the sketch-map that the Mallorys had sent. "This must be the school. Now we go through the village, turn right, then right again along the main road - that's the Warminster road..." Dr. Carter followed Jill's instructions. "Now slowly, Daddy; there should be a gate and a road leading off to the left."

From THREEPENNY BIT, Chapter 1, Penny Becomes A Collector.

Big Book for Girls

Collins got a little extra mileage out of the 1953 short story Sara's Adventure by publishing it in this undated Children's Press annual.

The Cavalier's Tree

An illustration from Fourpenny Fair: Following Mr. Gauntlett's instructions, Penny rescues Candy from inside the hollow Cavalier's Tree.

Jane Shaw Quiz 54

In the Penny stories, what nickname do the Mallory children have for each other?

The answer to Quiz 53: Aunt Lucy's cousin Barbara lives at Apple-tree Farm.

Quote of the Day

Susan said afterwards that she nearly died. An invisible ghost, with only the sound of hooves to betray his presence, was bad; a real live - well, dead - ghost galloping past them was a thousand, thousand times worse. The girls crouched in the ditch and shivered with terror.

From SUSAN'S KIND HEART, Chapter 8, Mysterious Piece of Silver.

The Tall Man: Rinigen Castle

And here are the Warings at Rinigen Castle in The Plot, Chapter 3 of The Tall Man.

Places in Jane Shaw: Ringgenberg

In The Tall Man, the Warings travel to Switzerland and stay in the village of Böningberg, and one of the stops they make is Schlöss Rinigen, or Rinigen Castle. What Jane Shaw actually did was mix the names of two villages: Ringgenberg and Bönigen, which become Rinigen and Böningberg in the story. The children visit the castle, which is partially inhabited by the Rinigen family. In reality, Ringgenberg Castle was originally built in the 12th century and later fell into decay. A church was built into the ruins in 1670. At various times during the 20th century and the early 2000s, restoration work was done and it is now open to the public. The castle is a Swiss heritage site. Here is a view of the two villages that were combined in the story.

Jane Shaw Quiz 53

In the Susan books, who lives at Apple-tree Farm?

The answer to Quiz 52: Tertius Smith is the pompous artist who has a display of abstract works at the Little Gallery in A Job for Susan.

Quote of the Day

There was talk of a reward. We hoped very much that there would be a reward, a nice big one, big enough to bring us back to South Africa one day very soon. We could hardly drag ourselves away from our relations that terrible day at Jan Smuts Airport when we said good-bye.

From NOTHING HAPPENED AFTER ALL, Chapter 16, Nothing Happened After All.

Twopence Coloured frontispiece

Here is a "cleaned up" high-resolution scan of the Twopence Coloured frontispiece.

Pierrot Gourmand

While in St. Brioc (Binic), Sara develops a passion for Pierre Gourmand sweets. When the girls go to the circus, before finding a seat Sara makes sure that she has an ample supply of Pierrot Gourmand nougat. The Pierrot Gourmand company was founded in 1892 by a young Parisian confectioner called Georges Evrard and is still going strong today, producing over 140,000,000 sweets and cakes a year.

Jane Shaw Quiz 52

In A Job for Susan, who is Tertius Smith?

The answer to Quiz 51: The story set at Loch Ard is AMANDA'S SPIES.

Quote of the Day

They settled themselves at Quadri's for a change, all ready for another good gaze at the fabulous façade of St. Mark's; in fact, so intent was their gaze, that the tall girl with red hair and a very pretty green frock was standing by their table before they were aware of her.

"Why, hullo," said the beautiful Russian spy, "how nice to see you again!"

From WHERE IS SUSAN?, Chapter 5, Capture.

New House at Northmead illustration

From Chapter 10 of New House. Nicky, Kay and Lynette find themselves trapped inside the Claire mansion after closing time - and they're not alone...

Jane Shaw Quiz 51

Which Jane Shaw story is set at Loch Ard?

The answer to Quiz 50: The treasure chest that Sara and Caroline find in Breton Adventure is full of old books.

Quote of the Day

Celia thought, "This is it," and made a sudden movement to the side so that the dinghy tipped dangerously. Miss Grey screamed and fell flat on her face in the water. Geneviève's brother hastened to her rescue; bedraggled and dripping, but her glasses still firmly on her nose and her bun still firmly on her neck, Miss Grey struggled to her feet.

"You little beast," she said venomously, turning on Celia, "you pushed me in. You tried to drown me - you know I can't swim-"

From THE MOOCHERS ABROAD, Chapter 8, The Split Infinitive.

Places in Jane Shaw: Crackington Haven

While in quarantine at Pendragon Manor in The Moochers Abroad, Fiona, Katherine and Celia often scrambled along the beach, where Katherine also enjoyed surfing. In fact, her surf board is used as a lever to dislodge the huge rock that Celia's leg gets trapped under. They would often come across rock pools like this one.

Jane Shaw Quiz 50

What is in the "treasure chest" that Sara and Caroline uncover at the end of Breton Adventure?

The answer to Quiz 49: Jill is one year younger than Penny.

Quote of the Day

Next morning Jennifer lay in bed, the sun streaming in her window, and watched the swallows wheeling and swooping in their morning game. They'll soon be going back to England, she thought, and she didn't even feel an ache at the back of her throat. I'll go back - sometime, I'll go back, she thought.

From VENTURE TO SOUTH AFRICA, Chapter 14, Jennifer Changes Her Mind.

Susan and the Home-made Bomb illustration

In Susan and the Home-made Bomb, this is the picture that is wiped clean to reveal a masterpiece in pure Jane Shaw fashion.

Quote of the Day

This time he really did laugh - at our faces, I suppose. "Och, that wasn't difficult," he said. "Young Thomas was going round all the folks in the hotel this morning asking for the loan of their Kurkartes. He looked quite thrilled when I said that I had lit my pipe with mine."

Tish and I glanced at each other quickly... But of course that was a joke. We weren't likely to be so silly again - it was quite impossible to believe that Dr. Maclaren was a crook.

From THE TALL MAN, Chapter 7, We Make Our Reports.

500th Post: Anna-Säule Column

In Fivepenny Mystery, when Deborah arrives in Austria she is driven through Innsbruck. She thinks that the Maria Theresienstrasse is the most beautiful street in the world and catches a glimpse of the Anna-Säule Column, which was built in honour of the retreat of Bavarian troops in 1703. The funniest scene in Fivepenny Mystery takes place on the Maria Theresienstrasse too, when Penny, after blazing a trail by heaving pots and pans out of the caravan on the road to Innsbruck, throws a sheet out of the window and it wraps itself around a policeman. Like all of her stories, Fivepenny Mystery is based on memories and journals recording the author's holiday experiences, which lend a great deal of realism and precision to her books.

Jane Shaw Quiz 49

What is the age difference between Penny and Jill?

The answer to Quiz 48: Penny's kindly landlady on Arran is Mrs. Fergus.

Quote of the Day

"But sir!" said David indignantly, getting his breath back. "You told me to take them!"

"Told you to take them? I did nothing of the kind! I told you to take a pile of old junk from the table on the right-hand side of the door. These plants were on the left-hand side. Good heavens, boy, don't you know your left hand from your right hand?"

Well, there it is. David just stood there, getting redder and redder. For the fact of the matter is that David often doesn't know his left hand from his right hand unless he stops to think. He is left-handed, you see, and naturally his left hand is the important one to him and when you say to him, turn right, he often just automatically sturns left - Jill and I are always teasing him about it...

From JUMBLE SALE.

Places in Jane Shaw: Pencannow Point

In The Moochers Abroad, Fiona, Katherine and Celia go scrambling over the rocks after a picnic on the beach with Miss Barclay, who tells them that it's too soon after a heavy meal to bathe. They go along the beach till they come to the next cove and decide to explore a cave in the cliff wall. That cove is not named, but it is similar to Pencannow Point in Crackington Haven. In her eagerness to reach the cave, Celia lets loose a mini landslide and gets trapped under a large rock, although miraculously she comes out with nothing more than a swollen ankle. Cornwall's cliffs are 430 feet high. A head for heights is essential!