Schooldays at The Abbey

The Abbey Girls #4

by Elsie J. Oxenham

Schooldays at the Abbey (The Abbey School Series)

Genres: Childrens, 20th Century, School Stories

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

A celebrated English girls’ school story writer, Elsie J. Oxenham's was born Elsie Jeanette Dunkerley in 1880 in Southport, Lancashire, She was the daughter of writer John_Oxenham, born William John Dunkerley, who had chosen the pseudonym ‘John Oxenham’. And Elsie decided to adopt the same surname for her writing career.

Her father was a clear influence upon her own writing. Her brother, Roderic Dunkerley, was also an author (published under his own name), as was her sister Erica, who also used the 'Oxenham' name.

She grew up in Ealing, West London, where her family had moved when she was a baby, living there until 1922, when the family moved again, to Worthing. After the deaths of her parents, Oxenham lived with her sister Maida. She died in 1960.

Oxenham, whose interests included the Camp Fire movement, and English Folk Dance traditions, is primarily remembered as the creator of the 38-book 'Abbey Girls' series. In her lifetime she had 87 titles published, and another two have since been published by her niece, who discovered the manuscripts in the early 1990s.

She is considered a major figure among girls' school story writers of the first half of the 20th century -- one of the 'Big Three,' together with Elinor Brent-Dyer and Dorita Fairlie Bruce.

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another very pleasant entry in the Abbey series. I did enjoy Jandy Mac's introduction and character, and the dilemma she faces was a totally reasonable one given the situation and her personality.

I'm still very much enjoying the series and I'm looking forward to borrowing more from my pusher, opps, I mean friend.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the 20s onwards these are innocent tales of female friendships. Here it’s set in the school but later on the women’s lives are followed. Mum had one of these books as a child and I read it in my teens and got more. Their innocent stories of caring women friends had appeal and they haven’t lost their charm.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Janice convinces her aunt to visit the Abbey, since Janice's almost stepfather, whom she called "Uncle Tony" grew up there. In the process she meets — and likes — the two Abbey Girls. Shen her aunt does to Canada, Janice begs to be allowed to join the school for the rest of the term, and gets her wish. I found the story both exciting and moving. Recommended.

[Lesley Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I am thoroughly enjoying reading the series of books. I read at least one as a child and now find myself revisiting my childhood and loving them.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to see Oxenham dealing with her desire to write another book in this time period without disrupting 20 books already written! Kinda like a meta-time travel book.

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good to know how Jandy Mac fits into these stories after all the years. I read an online copy of this book.

[Myrtle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up

[Carolynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jandy MacDonald visits the Abbey for the first time, because it was once owned by the father of her Uncle Tony. She discovers she is fond of the Abbey, but even fonder of its current occupants Joan and Joy--so she is distressed to think they might actually lose the Abbey--to her! This book is important in because it introduces Jandy Mac for the first time, and we get to see Joan and Joy in a positive light.

[Roseb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one I hadn't read previously. I am really enjoying going through and getting the whole story... 20+ years after I first discovered the series!