Posted by Jock on October 22, 2006 at 21:20:38 from 87.105.81.146 user Jock.
In Reply to: Re: Beckfoot refrigeration system (was posted by PeterH on October 22, 2006 at 20:18:56:
what about Arthur Ransome, and his books? Are they
as popular as they once were?
Yes.
If so, why?
They are well crafted adventure tales
'Well crafted' - in what way? Can you give examples
of this craft? How does it hit you in the books?
Each book's plot is fresh, the tenion builds gradually,
the resolution is entirely unexpected. The language is
wonderfully descriptive and yet the plot continues its
flow almost effortlessly.
Is that necessarily a good thing?
Yes.
Why?
Because being able to communicate well is a good thing.
Reading good literature develops literacy.
Would you encourage your children/grandchildren
to read them?
Yes.
Why?
Because, I enjoyed the books. My children enjoyed
the books and it is likely that my grandchildren
will enjoy thebooks.
What would you say to a children's librarian who
refuses to have them available on the grounds that
they are not 'relevant' today?
Grr! Where are these librarians? Let me get at them!
Please answer the question.
What I would say to the librarian rather depends on
the librarian. Hence my question.
Were the Swallows a 'healthy normal' family?
Yes.
Really?
Yes.
Why was Nancy such a character?
She does the deus ex machina job.
Eh? Please explain.
A device to move the plot along and or
shift the scene.
Had she ever known her father?
Difficult one that. No direct references, but like
John she seems to be trying hard to match (or even
beat) some external standard. This would be consistent
with her having known her father in her early life.
Difficult indeed. But thank you for
at least having a stab at answering this one.
What sort of impression of the English do AR's
books create overseas?
An accurate answer would require some serious
academic research.
Or, an answer can be compiled from the many
reactions posted by overseas Tarboarders - Ed,
Eric, Pam, Adam, Prue, David et al.
Too small a sample to be scientifically meaningful.
Also TarBoarders select themselves by joining
TarBoard adding an element of bias. It may be fun
to analyse overseas TarBoarder reactions to AR's
stories, but the results have no real significance.
let's get back to poking around in Beckfoot's cellar
Please count me out.
No probs.
so let's get back to strawberry ices - which Ransome
does actually mention.
(And why (hardest question of all) was Bridget given
crushed raspberries instead?)
Easy! People used to have a superstition (in Poland
people still do) that you can catch a cold from
eating ice cream. Note Susan's warning to CF after
he walked the plank. Bridget being but a baby would
have been considered more susceptible.