Posted by PeterH on July 22, 2006 at 19:18:07 from 81.132.218.191 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Sequels posted by Joe Windsor on July 22, 2006 at 18:33:56:
First, to Joe: you say so we're friends at last. I have never been anything else. You also imply that I take your stance over the Ransome Lit Execs. I'm sorry but I don't. If sequels really did bring about HUGE benefit, as you claim, then where are all the sequels to other children's books, or adults' books for that matter? Some have been published, eg to Rebecca and Wind in the Willows, but they have been swiftly forgotten. If AR really did express a wish that no sequels be published, then I think that should be accepted (until 2037). Of course, the Lit Execs cannot prevent you writing a sequel, so I would still encourage anyone to have a try, if only to see how difficult it is.
To Jock: Yes, I suppose that a phrase like 'Jibbooms and bobstays' is dateless really, in that 'jibbooms' etc still exist, but I would submit that the concept of inventing an expletive for children's use is a very 1930/40s thing. There are problems either way, it seems to me. If you update the language, how do you get across the 'Terror of the Seas' image in child form using modern slang? If you decide to use 1930s style language and expression, how do you know you are getting it right? You would have to stick to phrases you knew were used then, which would be extremely restrictive.