Riddle of the Sands

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Or want to see it again, & again. Brill book, and pretty fair film of the book for a change!

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I started to read it about 20 odd years ago, got about halfway through it, and just couldn't take anymore "what ho chaps" and stiff upper lips.................I then picked it up again this summer, while on passage from Chichester to Bideford, got about 80% through it................it's still book marked where I got to, and is still sitting on my bedside cabinet!

I know that it is a novel of it's time, but IMHO it don't do time travel well, parts of it I find very interesting, particularly the description of the boat (and others) but the story line is so long winded, it's almost like trying to wade through "War & Peace!
 
Got the book, got the film, and got "The Riddle" the book on Childers and his life.

I do accept that the writing may seem dated, but it was written in the style of that time, and was charming if dated to us.

Still enjoy the story, and re watching the film etc. Highly recommended.
 
Ohh! Smiffy, and I thought you were a soulmate. Try an HG Wells (or a Sherlock Holmes adventure) classic first, then Erskine will seem a doddle.

You do really need to get into the feel of things, how an early C19 private school educated civil servant might behave. Then relate that to the odd cove in his little single-handed yacht compared to the norm of proffessionaly crewed Fifer's that most people of that class & era would sail.

I tried to PM you, but I seem to be banned, have I upset you or are you off all PM's?
 
Always have the feeling that he had become bored with the book before he had finished writing it.

The last 10% or so seems little more than a convenient end to get it finished asap.
 
Don't be daft Steve of cause you aint banned!, nobody is on ignore or banned, I just closed the box is all, anyway, you have got my email addy, you can use that if you want to give me some earole! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Regarding riddle, I guess I just have a personality defect? I just don't do Toffs! Never could...........I can do Gentlemen, but they are an entirely different kettle of fish to Toffs. Then of course there is Chaps, always had a bit of difficulty with Chaps, (pronounced Cheps).......

I do realise that all of the above is a failing on my part, and I do apologise to any Cheps or Toffs, that might be reading this, but hey! nobody's perfect! IMHO the Riddle needs to be re-written, and updated a bit (ducks incoming)......... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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Adds weight to the argument that every time an Englishman opens his mouth he is despised by another.

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Does it?............not to me it don't. Not sure what you are trying to say really? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Most sequels to classics, written by later authors, are garbage (ever tried the 'sequel' to Pride & Prejudice?) but this one isn't. Also an interesting and well-informed description of dealing with the tides around the islands.
 
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Don't worry, we shot the author in the end!

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Yes I know....................Hmmmmmm, shame we can't shoot a few more! Authors that is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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You do really need to get into the feel of things, how an early C19 private school educated civil servant might behave.......

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C20 you mean?

Donald
 
I thought the ending of Rogue Male even less believable. An excellent read up until the last ten pages where every loose end seemed to be miraculously tied up. That guy Muller jumping into a 'rubber boat' cast into the wake of a steamer, off Portugal, at night! Come on, Geoffrey, you can do better than that!!
 
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