Feb
4
Swallows and Amazons
Posted by admin acc Comments (5)
From Amazon.co.uk
Arthur Ransome was a prolific writer of children’s books. Born in Leeds in 1884, it was his father, a nature-loving history professor, who inspired his love of the outdoors and nurtured a passion for fishing. As a child he enjoyed active, outdoor holidays: sailing, camping and exploring the countryside. He used many of these holiday settings for his children’s stories, notably the much loved Swallows and Amazons, a book that sits comfortably in the category … More >>
Categories: Amazon
As a child I read and re-read this book and its sequels. I loved them because of the freedom and adventure they offered and the fact that they were so exciting. I recently re-read Swallows and Amazons, after a gap of about thirty years for a course I was doing. I was very nervous picking it up. Sometimes the things you loved as a child don’t always retain their loveliness when you revisit them as an adult. Luckily, although it was different than I remembered I still really enjoyed it and have now started to read it to my children, who are also enjoying it.
What I noticed this time around is how realistic this fantasy is. Yes the four children got to an island and live without their parents, but they are hedged in by concerned and loving adults watching over them, and making sure that they eat properly, wear their vests in cold weather and not stay up too late. I found this quite endearing. It is also full of practical hints should you ever wish to run away to an island yourself. Ransome gives notes on how to make your own tent, build a competent campfire etc. It made me quite yearn to practice with the children in the back yard once the weather is better.
The thing I found most problematic were the details on sailing. I do not sail and everything I know about it comes from reading these books when I was small. There are a lot of technical details that pass me by and at times make the narrative drag. When I was reading it to my six year old she was getting fidgety at these times, although she loved everything else. If you’re having this problem I’d say persevere. It’s well worth it, and the section about Titty on her own on the island, and then the pirate raid on Captain Flint’s houseboat are still as wonderful as I remember.
Rating: 5 / 5
As review for Swallowdale.
This book was bought for one of my Step-grandchildren, to introduce her to these wonderful stories. I have four titles kept from my own childhood and these have been read by my own children and my grown up grandchildren, who have all enjoyed them. They are glorious escapism.
Rating: 5 / 5
A classic from my youth! I had never set foot in a boat, but new that I would love sailing – now I am grown up and have my own boat and it is time to pass on the story to the next generation. My daughter is loving it. I also adore the illustrations – perfect.
Rating: 5 / 5
It was my wife who suggested I read Swallows and Amazons to my ten year old son. My first reaction was to look at its 400+ pages and thought ‘this better be good’. Sadly, it isn’t. I know this is going to upset fans of S&A but in me it has induced a severe bout of narcolepsy – every time I read it I fall asleep. The reason? Virtually nothing happens! At least in a Famous Five book (once you get past the first half), you get a bit of action and intrigue, but here you do not. Most Famous Five books clock in at around 180 pages and I am utterly convinced that S&A could be pollarded down to this level and still have the story intact. The reason the book is so long is that the most mundane events (e.g. Susan making tea) are drawn out in excruciating and unnecessary detail. On a personal level I dislike the assumption that every reader knows the complete glossary of sailing terms. What the hell is a thwart? I’ve got to 44 without needing to know what one is and am glad to say I still don’t know.
Something for Ransome fans to consider. Where is the characterisation? For instance, how old is Roger, or Titty, or . . . ? Are they tall or short for their age? Fair hair or dark? All the characters are competely blank canvasses and for that reason I, for one, couldn’t have cared less if they lived or died in the story. Swallows and Amazons really is one of the most peculiar books I’ve ever read and have to state my opinion that it’s indifferently written and/or badly edited, take your pick.
Rating: 2 / 5
I brought Swallows and Amazons as a gift for a young lad of 10 who has moved to the lake district and will be having lots of adventures himself.I wrote a piece in the front for him in the hope that he will always keep it and remember me!
Rating: 5 / 5