Posted by Peter Ceresole on October 24, 2014 at 11:39:11 user PeterC.
In Reply to: Re: Childish behaviour posted by Roger Wardale on October 24, 2014 at 06:50:21:
Aren't we in danger of forgetting that AR had a large number of 'children's' stories to draw on, not just his own fairly disastrous experience, and he would have a very good idea of what might work with the book buying public?
He also had a good eye for a story, and both as a natural talent of his own, and from examples in other books, he would know about pacing, and varying light and shade. From the very start in SA, we can see that Roger was slated to be the buffoon when a buffoon was required for light relief, and later on, when he wanted to include a touch of satire on his own trade, Dorothea was a charming and rather more adult touch, which I suspect was at least as much for his own satisfaction as that of the child readers. The pearl diving was another change of pace from adventure that would be recognised by his readership. These are extremely long books for that market, and these episodes are necessary. But the over all story line was, from the children's perspective, rather serious, and skilfully drove the story on.
I'm also reminded, ever since you posted that terrific interview with Pilippa Ryan, that she said she thought that writing the stories was cathartic for him. And you can see that a bit of childish fooling about might lighten his own mood.