Posted by Rob Marshall on October 23, 2006 at 15:14:25 from 64.136.27.226 user Binnacle.
I think anyone who gets a view of Britain of the 1930’s from the S&A books would be very misled.
They are a very romantic view, which is understandable as they are children’s books well removed from reality.
If any of us were able to return to that period most would be appalled at what things were really like.
Class distinction was very much the norm everyone knew their place and would soon be put back in it if they tried to stray.
Medicine, living conditions and social welfare far removed from today.
It was a time considered by many as the Bad old days, which is the reason Winston Churchill was not elected after the war, no one wanted a return to the pre-war conditions.
Ar’s books were great escapism.
Britain of today seems to want to be a little USA ,taking on to my mind some of its less favorable traits.
Some of the better things of the 30s (manners, respect for elders, and pride in appearance etc) have to a large extent been discarded.
Neither time is ideal, and only the places are mostly little changed so they at least can be recognized by an overseas visitor.
I think what AR excels in is the mechanics of the stories, with great insights to sailing and practical things in general
Rob