Posted by Ed Kiser on August 28, 2018 at 07:52:46 user Kisered.
In Reply to: Re: Least Favourite Character! posted by Ed Kiser on August 28, 2018 at 07:37:23:
(Sorry - the editing went off on an adventure of its own. Let me try
this again.)
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Roger came to me in a much more positive light.
When I first started reading the Ransome series, I was lucky to
have happened to start with the right one, SA. That book began
with what are today to me famous words, "Roger, aged seven,..."
This is what grabbed my attention, for two reasons. I was seven.
Here was a character that I felt I could associate with, one that
I could understand.
The second reason: my Father's name was ROGER, but of course I
would not call him that, but I did know his name, so at last, now
I can talk about ROGER (not my dad) and get away with using my
father's name.
The story went on to show Roger pretending to be a sailing ship,
tacking (a term that at that time meant nothing - something to
learn). He was pretending, just playing a "let's pretend" game.
I could identify with that as well, as many a time I sat
astraddle of the big arm rest of the easy chair, listening to the
radio "LONE RANGER" and "riding my horse" shooting my cap pistol
to help The Lone Ranger fight off the bad guys, just pretending,
somewhat like Roger was pretending.
I could go along with the idea. I became a part of that made up
adventure. I felt a connection with this character who turned
out to be the youngest in his family, just as I was the youngest,
which gave me yet another connection with this character.
I was so proud when "WE" found the gold in PP.
Roger and I were good friends. I was glad I was able to go with him
on those adventures. He is still a good friend to me decades
later.
When I today re-read of his adventures, somehow it helps me feel
young again. One is never too old to go camping on Wild Cat
island, with the Swallows.
"Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end."
ED KISER, KENTUCKY, USA
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