Posted by Dave Thewlis on May 11, 2003 at 15:23:56 from 148.78.245.11 user dthewlis.
In Reply to: Re: A Difficult Question! posted by Mike Dennis on May 11, 2003 at 10:33:26:
I originally found the Ransome books in my local public library when I was about 10 or 11, in the early 1950s. For a number of years and well into adulthood, whenever I visited a new place I would go to the library and see if the Ransome books were available in the children's section. In the 50s at least a subset generally were. In those days, library books had a tally page glued into the front or back cover where the "due date" would be stamped when a book was borrowed, and the Ransome books always had dates stamped in them suggesting that they were checked out regularly -- but I have only ever met about three Americans (exclusive of TARS) that have ever heard of or read the Ransome books.
I think that is a signficant difference, as mentioned by Kurt Cylke. In the U.K. there is (or at any rate was) a general awareness of Ransome and the Swallows & Amazons whether one had read the books or not. In the U.S. no such awareness existed; folks had to stumble across those interesting dust jackets and open the books mostly for themselves, unless introduced by a friend, relative, or knowledgeable librarian.
Mike also asked about equivalent American writing for children. I think "equivalent" is a tricky term in this context, but I would take it to mean series fiction about a set of characters, rather than a single book. Also I would say books about children, not just for children, and probably doing children's things rather than the "young adult" sort of book. I'm not sure whether it would also have to be adventures during school vacation/holiday preferably sailing or camping.
I think the prevalent "children's series" in the U.S. at least in the 30s-60s were the mysteries (eg Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew) and adventures (eg Tom Swift) which aren't at all the same thing - more like young and identifiable-with protagonists succeeding in the adult world, generally young adults themselves. Prolific children's writers like Stephen Meader also wrote much the same thing, but usually not series.
Curiously while I'm sure there were equivalents in America to the Ransome books, when I try to come up with any I find myself thinking of British authors, reflecting my young tastes I guess. I would of course definitely recommend Edward Eager's superb books, although they are more Nesbit than Ransome.
Incidentally I've become much more aware of the significance of series fiction since reading Victor Watson's Reading Series Fiction from Arthur Ransome to Gene Kemp which I borrowed from the TARS Library hosted by the Ratcliffes (unsolicited advert.) and I recommend the book very highly. Mr. Watson also spoke at the 2001 Literary Weekend in Durham on "Camping and Tramping Fiction: Writing Series for Children 1930-1960" and I have just gotten the transcripts from that weekend. Fascinating article and dovetails nicely with the book.
I remember wondering when I read Reading Series Fiction why he didn't have more American examples, but my own lack of success in identifying them above may illustrate the problem he had.