Swallowdale (Godine Storyteller) [Paperback]

Arthur Ransome (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 16, 2010 | Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Godine Storyteller

The first title in Arthur Ransome's classic series, originally published in 1930: for children, for grownups, for anyone captivated by the world of adventure and imagination. Swallows and Amazons introduces the lovable Walker family, the camp on Wild Cat island, the able-bodied catboat Swallow, and the two intrepid Amazons, Nancy and Peggy Blackett.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The author really does know how to write for children: in other words, he writes of what he himself delights in and so pleases without any effort both young and old. --The Nation

This book is both silvery present and golden retrospect. All that is tedious and sullen and deceptive vanishes in its sunniness as clouds vanish in the tempered air of a summer day. . . We think that the book will last, too, from edition unto edition. --Saturday Review

There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun which is delightful and stimulating.TLS

He makes a tale of adventure a handbook to adventure. --Observer

This book is both silvery present and golden retrospect. All that is tedious and sullen and deceptive vanishes in its sunniness as clouds vanish in the tempered air of a summer day. . . We think that the book will last, too, from edition unto edition. --Saturday Review

There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun which is delightful and stimulating.TLS

He makes a tale of adventure a handbook to adventure. --Observer

About the Author

Arthur Ransome was born in 1884. He was in Russia in 1917 and witnessed the Revolution, which he reported for the Manchester Guardian. After escaping to Scandinavia, he settled in the Lake District of England with his Russian wife where, in 1929, he wrote Swallows and Amazons. Thus began a writing career that has produced some of the best children s literature of all time.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: David R Godine; A Godine Storyteller edition (July 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879235721
• ISBN-13: 978-0879235727
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arthur Ransome was born in Leeds in 1884 and went to school at Rugby. He was in Russia in 1917, and witnessed the Revolution, which he reported for the Manchester Guardian.

After escaping to Scandinavia, he settled in the Lake District with his Russian wife where, in 1929, he wrote Swallows and Amazons. And so began a writing career which has produced some of the real children's treasures of all time. In 1936 he won the first ever Carnegie Medal for his book, Pigeon Post.

Ransome died in 1967. He and his wife Evgenia lie buried in the churchyard of St Paul's Church, Rusland, in the southern Lake District.



Photography (c) Arthur Ransome's Literary Executors & courtesy of the Brotherton Collection, Leeds University Library

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More an equal than a sequel!, December 10, 2000

By 

Steve Benner "Stonegnome" (Lancaster, UK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swallowdale (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)

"Swallowdale" continues very much where its predecessor, "Swallows and Amazons", leaves off, with the Walker children returning to "that remote lake in the north of England" one year after the events of the first book and looking forward to another couple of weeks of fun, sailing with their friends, the Amazon pirates. Plans quickly begin to go awry, however, and Ransome turns events away from the anticipated activity of sailing on the lake to an altogether different sort of fun, as the children take off camping and exploring in the surrounding fells and mountains.

The book has all of the fine qualities that make its predecessor such an excellent read for children (and adults) of all ages. Ransome's prose is a delight throughout, his characters engaging and the events that befall the children entirely believable. As in all of the other books of this series, simple pen and ink drawings by the author add considerably to the enjoyment. If only the world (and the Lake District!) was still like this!

Incidentally, although this was the second of Arthur Ransome's "Swallows and Amazon" books to be published, it is best read after the third volume, "Peter Duck", because it is set chronologically after the events of that book, and makes occasional back reference to it. You will enjoy "Peter Duck" much more if you read it BEFORE you read "Swallowdale". And if you enjoyed "Swallows and Amazons" you will certainly enjoy this.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For adventurous minded kids aged 7 to 70, June 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Swallowdale (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)

Swallowdale has it all for adventurous minded children - sailing, shipwrecks, pirates, camping, exploring, caves, climbing, battles...

The Swallows (Captain John, Mate Susan, Able Seaman Titty and Boy Roger) and Amazons (Captain Nancy and Mate Peggy) meet up again along with Captain Flint and his parrot Polly to explore the mountains and lakes of the English Lake District.

Written by Arthur Ransome over 60 years ago, this is a book for grandparents, parents and children alike - a book to be passed from generation to generation.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Adventure story for any age!, January 8, 2001

By 

Carl Brookins - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swallowdale (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)

Small boat or dinghy sailing, camping out, excitement, nice people and strong writing: what more could a reader ask for? I first read this book at the home of a boyhood friend about ten years after it was originally published, and I count the series (this is the second of 12) as responsible for my lifelong interest in camping and sailing. More than half a century later, I acquired a set and found to my absolute delight that they read as well and are as powerfully satisfying as ever.

Here, within the covers of a very well-written book, you'll find a group of charming children and a few adults, spanning a wide range of ages and character types. Swallowdale is by turns funny, thoughtful, insightful and so well written it is a distinct pleasure for readers of any age.

Did I mention the writing? It's better written than most current novels.