Posted by Robert Thompson on August 21, 2008 at 19:47:43 user robert.
In Reply to: Popularity (domestic and abroad)? posted by Mountaineer on August 21, 2008 at 10:21:04:
Dear Mountaineer,
You mention the German, Czech and Japanese editions of Ransome - here is the complete list of all eighteen languages and how many of the twelve books were translated:
Chinese - SA
Czech - All twelve books
Danish - SA SD PD WH PP
Dutch - SA
Finnish - SA SD
French - SA SD PD WH CC PP WD
German - SA SD WH WD ML
Hebrew - SA SD PD SW
Hungarian - SA SD WH PP WD SW PM
Japanese - All twelve books
Korean - SA
Latvian - SA
Norwegian - SA
Polish - SA SD PD
Russian - SA
Slovak - SA SD WH
Spanish - SA SD
Swedish - SA SD WH CC PP WD
As you say, many of the editions are long out of print, but I do have first-hand knowledge of the enthusiasm of Czech readers of Ransome - at least five of them have enjoyed the Swallows and Amazons cruises on Coniston in the last few weeks, and this Saturday I will have my "native guide" hat on when I take a most excited couple to Wild Cat Island.
As Alan Hakim has indicated there is a forthcoming book for TARS members due out next year - if I ever manage to finish it!
If in the meantime you need any further details of the translations please email me off-TarBoard, I'd be glad to assist.