Posted by Shawn Dawson on March 21, 2005 at 00:06:35 from 71.32.126.187 user shawn.
In Reply to: Re: What is your favourite Ransome quotation? posted by Peter H on January 16, 2005 at 18:36:39:
Hi all,
There can be no favorite quotation for this yankee. Ransome is just a magnificent writer -- he sprinkles gems like candies on a Christmas tree.
From Swallowdale
Chapter 4
"They found, like many explorers before them, that somehow, in their absence, they had got into trouble at home".
The above captures the point of view of kids perfectly, but also is experienced by many a husband who, at times, comes home only to find he is in the doghouse for he knows not what.
Chapter 7
"The only thing about her that was as it should be was Titty's swallow flag, which fluttered proudly from the top of the jury mast, as if it had never know the bottom of the lake."
Chapter 8
I am very much in agreement with the others who appreciate the "When a thing's done ...." line.
Chapter 9
For describing Susan, the following is superb:
"People had to be tidied away too, only the worst of tidying people away was that they wouldn't keep still, and as soon as you had tidied them away from one place you found yourself falling over them somewhere else."
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I don't have my copy of SA handy to browse through, and I've only read SA, PD, and SD (almost) to date. I'm sure I'll add more favorite quotes later.
Shawn Dawson