Posted by Elizabeth on March 07, 2008 at 22:39:57 from 24.22.115.46 user Elizabeth.
In Reply to: Re: Susan Fan Club posted by Peter H on March 07, 2008 at 19:22:34:
Hmmm...another "across the pond" difference? Or maybe just that what I learned as a child is now outdated.... I grew up calling honeybees, hornets, yellowjackets & bumblebees all "bees"; "wasp" was only the type that have the feet hanging down as they fly, and we were more fearful of their stings because the initial sting hurt like an electric shock & left you feeling shaken, and the residual discomfort was longer than the others. Seems like there was a lot of swelling, too.
As to how little AR mentioned insects, he also didn't mention other potential physically bothersome bits about living out of doors for extended periods. No digestive difficulties, no mosquito bites, no sunburn, not even that much in the way of normal scrapes & bruises. So, for all that Susan keeps the stories "real", they did have a well-written "fantasy" world for their adventures. Good weather, pleasant natives, a fair amount of good luck when things could have gone really wrong. I think AR's stories were designed to make readers feel happy in the end!