Posted by Jack Eckert on August 17, 1998 at 14:24:01:
In Reply to: Re: Just double-checking two titles of books posted by kate crosby on August 14, 1998 at 21:22:02:
I must confess to not thinking too highly of PD when I first read it (in, of all places, graduate school in 1982), probably because it seemed to break the flow from the more realistic books that precede and follow it. (Missee Lee, on the other hand, I've always thought was a complete riot, principally because of the Latin theme.) PD has metamorphosed into one of my favorites now, probably because it is so different. I am rereading at the moment and have just gotten to the fog chapter--one of the best parts of the book for my money.
I might disagree with Kate on the character of Nancy B. here. She's much more sympathetic (maybe because of the seasickness?) and seems less over the top than in some of the other books (I'm thinking particularly of Secret Water where there's some interesting tension between the Swallows who want to make maps and be serious and Nancy who just wants to be a savage--seems like an odd reversion to childhood on her part.)
BTW, has anyone ever resolved the problem that it's 1929 in Swallows & Amazons but certainly 1931 "next summer" in Swallowdale? I'm thinking those are the only two fixed dates in the canon....