SimonA
Active member
Where did you get the full set from? I have just finished reading my son's copy of Swallows & Amazons and am keen for more!
Arthur Ransome Books - which one is best?
- Thread starter Roach1948
- Start date
Roach1948
New member
I them from Nauticalia - not cheap at £150, but worth it as they have all the original sleeve designs and illustrations in them. Hardback ofcourse.
Santana379
Member
There are always hardbacks and paperbacks for sale on ebay if you don't need new copies, and there are pretty cheap ones to be had 2nd hand on Amazon too.
Little Knot
Little Knot
Andrew_Fanner
New member
Some of mine are 1st Ed's given to my mother as prizes, others came from bookstalls at boatjumbles. Coots in the North was a bit more of a pain but Ebay did the business.
PeteCooper
Well-known member
Does this version refer to 'Titty' as in the original, or 'Kitty' as it was changed to later?
pyrojames
Well-known member
I think I like Secret Water ahead of WDMTGTS, simply because I now have young children and Hamford water is nice and close. Otherwise Great Northern or S&A as the start of it all.
Oh and Roach, the 5th has been and gone. Is Pin Mill graced with another pretty boat yet?
Oh and Roach, the 5th has been and gone. Is Pin Mill graced with another pretty boat yet?
jhr
Well-known member
They are all still in print, in paperback as well as hardcover. Google "Jonathan Cape" or "Random House UK", or use Amazon, as others have said.
Roach1948
New member
Nauticalia versions use the original 'Titty'
Roach1948
New member
Moving to Pin Mill in the next fortnight. I need to be on a pontoon to do some varnishing, but I have given up for the moment!
Seajet
...
I went aboard 'Nancy Blackett' at the International Festival Of The Sea; funny, I seemed to get something in my eye...
I'd rate 'We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea' as best, also it was my first, leading to my teaching dad to sail ( I was 8 ), trips to 'Wild Cat Island', and a lifetime sailing.
It now seems accepted by some that Arthur Ransome was a spy, some say a double agent for the Bolsheviks - either way, what a writer.
I gave WDMTGTS & Swallows & Amazons to a sailing friend for reading to his young boys, apparently going down rather well.
I'd rate 'We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea' as best, also it was my first, leading to my teaching dad to sail ( I was 8 ), trips to 'Wild Cat Island', and a lifetime sailing.
It now seems accepted by some that Arthur Ransome was a spy, some say a double agent for the Bolsheviks - either way, what a writer.
I gave WDMTGTS & Swallows & Amazons to a sailing friend for reading to his young boys, apparently going down rather well.
Lakesailor
New member
Resurrecting this thread. My favourite was Winter Holiday, for some reason. I loved them all except, as some-one else said, Missee Lee.
On the subject of which to start with. I've just finished Roger Wardale's book Arthur Ramsome - Master Storyteller and AR was insistent that new readers started at S & A. He even included a note on the back cover of Secret Water "Before reading the rest of these books it is really necessary to begin with the Swallows and Amazons.
This was his fall-back position as he had originally wanted to ask booksellers not to sell later volumes to any reader who had not already read Swallows and Amazons.
On the subject of which to start with. I've just finished Roger Wardale's book Arthur Ramsome - Master Storyteller and AR was insistent that new readers started at S & A. He even included a note on the back cover of Secret Water "Before reading the rest of these books it is really necessary to begin with the Swallows and Amazons.
This was his fall-back position as he had originally wanted to ask booksellers not to sell later volumes to any reader who had not already read Swallows and Amazons.
Alpha22
Active member
Swallows and Amazons is a must, but I feel as an adult returning to the books, it lacks the punch of some of the later ones.
I never got on with Missy Lee either, but highly rate WDMTGTS and The Big Six too. But as I went to school in Wroxham, and had friends in Horning it has special meanings for me. I can't drive down Lower Street, Horning, or sail/motor down Horning Reach without getting a fly in my eye.
The books fall into 3 camps as I see it. There are the Lakes, the Broads and the others.
If only reading one or two, "We didn't" is a good stand alone book. As is Secret Water.
I always try to read Winter Holiday over the Christmas break, especially if there is snow around. It makes my Christmas if I can finish it on Christmas day!
I never got on with Missy Lee either, but highly rate WDMTGTS and The Big Six too. But as I went to school in Wroxham, and had friends in Horning it has special meanings for me. I can't drive down Lower Street, Horning, or sail/motor down Horning Reach without getting a fly in my eye.
The books fall into 3 camps as I see it. There are the Lakes, the Broads and the others.
If only reading one or two, "We didn't" is a good stand alone book. As is Secret Water.
I always try to read Winter Holiday over the Christmas break, especially if there is snow around. It makes my Christmas if I can finish it on Christmas day!
Sandgrounder
Active member
In my view you have to start with Swallows, after which it makes sense to floow the published order.
I read them to both my daughters as bed time stories and they are still much loved apparently.
My favourites are Swallows and then Secret Water; least favourites are Missee Lee and Great Northern in which he didn't appear to have anything much that he wanted to say.
I read them to both my daughters as bed time stories and they are still much loved apparently.
My favourites are Swallows and then Secret Water; least favourites are Missee Lee and Great Northern in which he didn't appear to have anything much that he wanted to say.
Lakesailor
New member
I've been buying older copies from fleabay and enjoy reading a "tired" copy more than a shiny new one.
I just read Bix Six again and enjoyed it again. Amazing how the youngsters are so much more naive than similar aged youngsters would be today when accused of vandalism. They initially just try to ignore it. Without the benefit of television and cinema they have no idea of the need to show themselves innocent.
It must be to do with getting older, but I've found Picts and Martyrs to be very juvenile compared to other books.
I think I dislike Dick and Dorothea. They were a bit annoying in Bix Six as well.
I know you could say that the books are aimed at children so my criticism isn't valid.
However, as other books by Arthur are less juvenile, I suppose this one is just one of the less appealing.
Just reading WDMTGTS now and enjoying it again.
If you read Roger Wardale's "A R, Master Storyteller" and Roland Chamber's "The Last Englishman" you get to understand so many of the episodes featured in the books.
I just read Bix Six again and enjoyed it again. Amazing how the youngsters are so much more naive than similar aged youngsters would be today when accused of vandalism. They initially just try to ignore it. Without the benefit of television and cinema they have no idea of the need to show themselves innocent.
It must be to do with getting older, but I've found Picts and Martyrs to be very juvenile compared to other books.
I think I dislike Dick and Dorothea. They were a bit annoying in Bix Six as well.
I know you could say that the books are aimed at children so my criticism isn't valid.
However, as other books by Arthur are less juvenile, I suppose this one is just one of the less appealing.
Just reading WDMTGTS now and enjoying it again.
If you read Roger Wardale's "A R, Master Storyteller" and Roland Chamber's "The Last Englishman" you get to understand so many of the episodes featured in the books.
bobgarrett
Active member
Definitely "We didn't mean to go to sea".
Kukri
Well-known member
"We didn't mean to go to sea" would be the very top of the list. As a boy I liked "Swallowdale" best of the rest, but now I like "The Big Six". Well, actually, I like all of them, but you have to start with Swallows and Amazons.
Lakesailor
New member
I reckon Arthur's killer skill is in creating a tension in the story. Sometimes you are tempted to look ahead as you can't stand the suspense.
Or is just me being a wuss?
Or is just me being a wuss?
Phoenix of Hamble
Active member
I really quite liked them... the signalling in 'Winter Holiday' where the characters were introduced is just the sort of thing I would have done as a child, so perhaps I related to that... I liked the fact that both Dick and Dorothea were cast a little as 'outsiders' who were still welcomed and encouraged to join in... as said a fair few times above, simple times, thankfully ignorant of the modern world.
I'm off now to re-read one of them.... can't decide which yet though!
Lakesailor
New member
You could toss for it.
I doubt Dick would done that though
I doubt Dick would done that though
Poignard
Well-known member
Not written by Arthur Ransome but it does have a connection with him:
'Close-hauled' by K.Adlard-Coles.
KA-C bought Ransome's boat and spent his honeymoon sailing her back to the UK East Coast. This book describes the voyage. I thought it was 'a good read'
'Close-hauled' by K.Adlard-Coles.
KA-C bought Ransome's boat and spent his honeymoon sailing her back to the UK East Coast. This book describes the voyage. I thought it was 'a good read'