My Friend Sandy provides an exotic setting for the further adventures of Janet Sandison and her friends, old and new. In time it is the direct sequel to My Friend Annie, and is a key book in the series.
My Friend Sandy Main Characters
- Janet Alexander
- Twice Alexander
- Sandy Maclean
- Sashie de Marnay
- Sir Ian Dulac
- Madame Dulac
My Friend Sandy – The Plot
Janet and "Twice" Alexander break new ground, in this fifth book of the My Friend series, in the island of St. Jago, British West Indies – a setting as far removed from the Highlands of Scotland as a calypso from a lament. Twice has commenced a new job as Plant Engineer on a sugar plantation called Paradise. Living in a house called Guinea Corner, with a large beautiful garden and servants to command, it is quite a cultural shift for Janet to make. However, she manages to throw herself into the life of the island whilst making friends with a hotelier called Sashie and a young boy called Sandy. Sandy is a bright, mischievous boy who has an unusual friendship with the Paradise Plantation's owner Sir Ian Dulac. Together, they manage to get to know everything about the island and its residents that is worth knowing about!
After the first few months Janet is persuaded to write a play for the entertainment of the locals. This is a joyous challenge that Janet rises to in typical "Reachfar" style. However, she also has to oversee construction of the stage, making of period medieval costumes, supervise catering arrangements and prevent arguments between some of the staff compound wives who are always keen to engage in a squabble!
The evening is a resounding success, despite the fact that Sandy notices truck loads of unexpected and un-catered for local people coming "down from the hills" to watch, and despite the fact that Sashie ends up getting shot! Janet takes it all in her stride and is able to bring her calm Scottish wisdom into many situations and engraves herself firmly in people's hearts.
This book is a great introduction to Janet's life in the Caribbean and it is great to know that the series has only just begun! Overall, the book is full of such humour and gives the reader a real zest for life and life in all its fullness.
It is advisable to read the My Friend books in sequence and, after My Friend Sandy, comes My Friend Martha's Aunt, which is again set in the Caribbean.
My Friend Sandy was first published in 1961 by Macmillan & Co Ltd. A paperback edition was released in 1963 by Pan Books Ltd.
Linda Smallwood - Hi my name is Linda Smallwood. I am married with two sons aged 13 and 11 and live in North Wales. After 18 years working for The ...
