Posted by Peter H on August 31, 2005 at 19:06:08 from 86.130.133.179 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Least favourite among the books posted by Dan Lind on August 31, 2005 at 01:12:01:
Thank you, Dan - feedback at last, although I had to wait 14 years!
My view, as stated in that Moss article, is that AR should have kept his nerve and persevered with the Swallows and the Eels, with the Mastodon as a more ambivalent figure. I myself like SW, mainly for its mysterious atmosphere, and the constant backdrop of the advancing and receding tide. AR always fits his stories and characters into the surrounds perfectly - you never feel that they have been 'parachuted in', except, that is, when the Amazons suddenly pitch up in SW. The reasoning for this is explained in that very unconvincing telegram.From then on, there's far too many characters in the story, and everyone has to 'revert to type' which kills any individuality. But the haunting land/seascape still does it for me.