Posted by Eric Abraham on August 24, 2006 at 13:47:00 from 63.245.133.212 user EricAbraham.
In Reply to: Re: I'm glad it happened! posted by Jock on August 21, 2006 at 14:28:48:
The "style" may be (with much study) copied or pretty much replicated, but the ESSENCE would be much more difficult. I remember reading a couple of the Wizard of Oz sequels NOT written by Mr. Baum and I didn't think they had the same "spark" of the original stories. I think this is what the executors of Mr. Ransome's estate are refering to.
A successful sequel can't just rehash the old stories, but has to go on to ever greater and broader levels of story-crafting with the same or very similar style and essence of the original. Mr. Ransome achieved that by having different situations and introducing new characters in the new books. I was always excitedly lead on by the new tales in what ever situation presented. And, again, it is only natural that some would "like" one or more books over others - personal taste, etc., which is what would make a sequel so difficult to really pull off! (Check out how many folks here are not fond of Great Northern?.)
There have been many visual artists who have tried to execute works that would pass as a Rubins, Rembrandt or whomever and have been found out, usually by small details not obviously noticed except by close examination by experts. An original usually has a freshness and spontinaity that is almost impossible to duplicate. Now, no one is going to try to replecate Mr. Ransome's stories and pass them off as his, but they still would have to be really really close in all these traits I have mentioned to succeed.
I have never ceased to be amazed at the insights all of you have ezpressed on TarBoard about Mr. Ransome's works and the contemporaty environment.
Eric Abraham - In Beautiful Central Kansas