Posted by Roger Wardale on December 14, 2014 at 07:59:48 user RogerW.
I have been reading WD, which is rather a change, as I find it rather a seasick book with a huge coincidence, and have enjoyed the trip down the Orwell immensely. Recently, we have remarked on the excellent outward bound chapter in PD. This strikes me as just as good.
I was reminded that Wren Howard of Cape was allowed to read WD more than most manuscripts — poor man, he sometimes never saw it before the printer! He made some useful observations about the opening chapter suggesting some cuts (originally we were to meet the Swallows in the train) and he made two suggestions — the use of the word 'hard' bothered him as only a few would know what it meant and he suggested 'shore' as it was not important. Ransome ignored the suggestion. Later sailing down the Orwell, he corrected AR's use of 'seaplane'. They were not seaplanes, but flying boats, qnd it would be interesting for the Swallows to see them afloat. Again Ransome ignored the correction/suggestion.