How do you know you're in an Antonia Forest book?

[jackmerlin.livejournal.com]

I had too much time to waste on the internet today and came across some 'how do you know you're in an author X book' so I thought we could do an AF one. So to start with -
You're deeply upset about something but you don't tell anyone (unless your name is Lawrie).
You never cry (ditto above).
You do something that might result in psychological trauma (e.g. kill someone, fight off a paedophile) but you never, ever talk about it.
You are a brilliant actor, singer, rider, leader, farm manager, Oxbridge candidate but still the boys are more important.
You wear third or fourth hand clothes but your sister gets a pony.
35 calendar years pass but you only age 2 years.
The only science you study at school is 'domestic'.
Either a bird you like very much or a human you don't know/like very much dies.

Over to you!

Comments

[lilliburlero.livejournal.com]

I did this (http://lilliburlero.tumblr.com/post/87612138706/how-can-you-tell-if-you-are-in-an-antonia-forest) on Tumblr a little while ago. We came up with quite a few of the same ones!

[(Anonymous)]

This is quite funny, but not entirely accurate. Kingscote does offer the traditional sciences and Jan opts for them, before she decides she may switch to law. Ann is also presumably taking science A levels.
Lizzzar

[jackmerlin.livejournal.com]

I'm about to go and look at your link but before I do -
You are a member of an unusually large family. Or you are an only child. If you only have one or two sisters you are just another rabbit and don't count.
You are unusually well read for your age.
You are good at sport. If you are not good at sport you are also just another rabbit. Unless you are Tim.
The elder sister you like or an elder pupil that your friend likes will give you good advice.
You being helpful towards a boy is A Good Thing. A sister being helpful to you is Annoying.

[the_antichris.livejournal.com]

People in authority make baffling, capricious decisions that negatively affect you. You pretend you don't mind. (Unless you're Lawrie.)

You are in a surprisingly effective school play.

Something significant happens on or near a train.

[hooloovoo_42]

Someone in authority tells you absolutely not to do something. You do it anyway.

You get into trouble for doing something you were told absolutely not to do. You do it again anyway.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

Your reactions and thoughts are primarily punctuated by semi-colons and colons.

[nickwhit.livejournal.com]

Yes! This.

[jackmerlin.livejournal.com]

You are frightened of something but do it anyway. (Unless you're Lawrie).

How do you know you're in an Antonia Forest book?

[mheloyse.livejournal.com]

- Your prompt action in calling the fire brigade when the house catches fire is treated with the utter contempt and derision it deserves.

- In fact, picking up the phone in any circumstances leads to untold disaster befalling you shortly thereafter.

- You are not in the least fazed when you discover the boy next door lives in a stately home with its own ballroom.

- The proceeds from the sale of your enormous house in a prime London location mysteriously vanish, leaving you so hard-up that you have to sell your heirloom diamond tiara to buy the bare essentials, like two thoroughbred horses.

- Your car battery never ever goes flat, no matter how long the headlights are left on when it's static.

- You routinely carry sugar around in your pockets.

Re: How do you know you're in an Antonia Forest book?

[sue marsden (from livejournal.com)]

- The proceeds from the sale of your enormous house in a prime London location mysteriously vanish, leaving you so hard-up that you have to sell your heirloom diamond tiara to buy the bare essentials, like two thoroughbred horses

Probably went in death duties and pying off Jon's debts.

Re: How do you know you're in an Antonia Forest book?I

[(Anonymous)]

A sudden unexpected death would result in death duties, and I think it is mentioned in Falconer's Lure that Jon had debts, which the Marlows presumably pay off. I agree this is a very likely exemplation for the fact that finances are tight, although yes in an upper middle class context.
Lizzzar

[jackmerlin.livejournal.com]

You break the law. If you are from a land-owning family that is ok. If you are not, then it is not ok.

You are one of seven teenagers in a family. One teenage boy lives within reach of communication of any sort. Only one of you is allowed to be friends with him at a time.

[biskybat.livejournal.com]

You are an underage driver or an incurably bad one but no-one minds if you drive any number of siblings around.

[(Anonymous)]

You spend an entire term coaching your team, & then almost throw the final match because you're too decent to bowl the Head Girl a ball she can't handle--even though you don't like her. This does not apply to your sister.
Your internal monologues contain sentences that are longer than some complete books.
Your uncle trained an Afgan hound as a flushing dog, & no-one thinks it's remarkable. (Still blows me away. We are in an alternative universe.)
thedogsdinner

[occasionalhope.livejournal.com]

You're paralysingly frightened of something but won't admit it (even when everyone knows). Unless you're Lawrie.