Elinor M. Brent-Dyer Books In Order

Publication Order of La Rochelle Books

Publication Order of The Chalet School Books

Publication Order of Janeways Books

Publication Order of Lorna Books

Publication Order of Chudleigh Hold Books

Publication Order of Skelton Hall Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Elinor M. Brent-Dyer was a reputed English novelist, who was well known for writing historical fiction novels and children’s books. She was particularly popular for her long running book series called The Chalet School series. The list of her successful novel series also includes the La Rochelle series, the Lorna series, the Chudleigh Hold series, and a few other works. Author Elinor was born as on April 6, 1894 as Gladys Eleanor May Dyer in Southern Shields, Northumberland, England. She spent her earlier years growing up in a terrace house that did not have an attached toilet or garden. Elinor’s father had abandoned her and her mother to live with his first wife, with whom he had a son. Her mother married again after the death of Elinor’s father in 1913. Author Elinor received her initial education from a small South Shields private school. At the age of 18, she returned to the same school to teach following her 2 year training at the Training College in Leeds. Elinor spent 36 years of her life in the field of teaching. Throughout this time, she was employed a number of private and state schools in Middlesex, Hampshire, northeast, and Hereford.

During the 1920s, Elinor adopted a new name, Elinor Mary Brent-Dyer. She had gained the inspiration to write her successful Chalet School novels from a holiday that she had spent in Austrian Tyrol at the Pertisau Am Achensee. But, she had written and published her first novel, Gerry Goes to School, in 1922. Elinor had written it for a child actress named Hazel Bainbridge. Her first story in the Chalet series was originally released in 1925. In 1930, author Elinor had taken the decision of converting to Roman Catholicism. Elinor used to live with her stepfather and mother until 1957, when her mother had died. She had moved with her family permanently to Hereford in 1933. Elinor used to traveled to Peterchurch on a daily basis to fulfill her governess duties. Following the death of her stepfather, Elinor had become all alone, her brother had already died in 1912. She started a school of her own in Hereford and named it as Margaret Roper School. This school was non-denominational, but followed religious traditions strongly. Elinor adopted many of the customs of Chalet School stories for this school. She even chose a uniform for the girls similar to the ones described in the novels. Author Elinor considered herself erratic, flamboyant, and untidy. She didn’t even think that she was suited for the job of a headmistress. The Margaret-Roper School could not run for long and Elinor had to shut it down in 1948. After this, she had started using all her time for writing novels.

In 1964, author Elinor had shifted to Redhill. She was living there jointly with a fellow story writer named Phyllis Matthewman. Throughout her lifetime, author Elinor is said to have published more than a hundred books. She is most famous for the Chalet stories. This series is comprised of 59 stories altogether, making it the longest series of girl’s school stories. It has been in print continuously for over 70 years and more than a hundred thousand paperback copies of its books are sold all over the world every year. Most of the novels written by author Elinor consist of stories based on family, history, school, animals, and adventure. Elinor has also penned a cookery book, and 4 educational novels. Besides these, she has also developed a few plays and many unpublished poems. Those who were close to Elinor knew that she had a keen interest in music. Author Elinor breathed her last on September 20, 1969. Her final novel was released posthumously.

Every year on the day of her birth & death, her fans visit her grave and put flowers. A headstone bearing her name has also been erected in the Redstone Cemetery, where Elinor is resting. Her fans have also formed plaques in Hereford, South Shields, and Pertisau. The Chalet School series written by author Elinor M. Brent-Dyer was published between the years 1923 and 1970. It is shown in this series that the school was first located in Austian Tyrol. Then, it was shifted in 1939 to Guernsey when the Nazis rose to power. It was moved again, this time to Herefordshire, when Nazi forces invaded Channel Islands. The school was further shifted to a fictional island, before finally its final shifting to Switzerland.

Author Elinor has shown that the school was founded by Madge Bettany in 1925 after her brother takes up a new job in India’s Forestry Commission. She thinks that it would be an easy way of generating some much-required income. This way, she could also look after her younger sister named Joey. Madge starts looking for suitable locations for the school, but the options available to her seem to expensive. So, she thinks of setting up the school abroad, and chooses Austria Tyrol as the best location. The excellent climate there can help in the recuperation of Joey, who is an infirm. Besides Joey and Madge Bettany, the other primary characters mentioned in the stories include Robin Humphries, Jem Russell, Jack Maynard, Daisy Venables, Gay Lambert, Bride Bettany, Mary Lou Trelawney, etc. The books show that various girls coming to Chalet have personal problems, behavioral issues, or bad attitudes. Being in the company of school mistresses and better-behaved classmates, the girls start discovering the faults in them and become good pupils. This formula is often seen in most of the novels of this series.

A successful book of this series is entitled ‘Jo of Chalet School’. It was released by HarperCollins in 2000, after its initial release in 1926. The main characters of this book include Joey, Madge, Robin, and several others. At the beginning, it is shown that Chalet School’s strength rises to more than 30 pupils. With the start of the autumn term, new adventures are expected to take place. At first, the school authorities and pupils manage to overcome a threatening flood and then indulge in a dramatic incident of rescuing an unwanted puppy from St Bernard. Robin, Madge, and Joey go on to have a delightful and eventful Christmas. Another entertaining book of the children’s book series is called ‘Rivals of Chalet School’. It was published first in 1929 and then again in 1998 by the HarperCollins UK publication. At the start of this book, it is depicted that another school is founded nearby Chalet School, posing as a rival. This new school, St Scholastica, is located on the lake’s other side. Everyone wonders if the girls from both the schools will turn up friends or enemies. Several practical jokes and misunderstandings take place, making the girls and the schools indulge in a grudging rivalry.

One Response to “Elinor M. Brent-Dyer”

1. Roger Cawt4: 1 year ago

   Most of the books have also been published by Girls Gone By Publishers at one time or another. They also plan to publish a centenary edition of The School at the Chalet this year.

   Reply