Posted by Andy on September 29, 2010 at 05:18:52 user AndyG.
In Reply to: posted by Jock on September 29, 2010 at 01:09:03:
This link suggests that the word is Lewis's own, and not Ward's: but the idea is certainly intriguing.
That said, after the bucolic idyll of S&A I rather think Ransome's "real" and "not the Broads" novels are primarily focussed on removing us from sailing those boats on that lake, and in keeping some sort of lid on Nancy. For example, we have:
SD - sink a boat and keep Nancy in check with the GA
WH - freeze up the boats and take Nancy off with mumps
PP - stay away from the boats and keep Nancy busy with gold-digging
WDMS - use a location away the boats and far away from Nancy
SW - take away those boats and try to keep Nancy in check with map-making
P&M - await one (new) boat and keep Nancy in check with the GA. A sort of SD#2?
:o)
That each of the novels has its own spirit and outlook - which never becomes repetitive - argues in favour of the strength of the author. Though I don't see some over-riding, deeper meaning to the sequence.
Needless-to-say, I would, of course, enjoy being proven very wrong!