Posted by Roger Wardale on October 23, 2013 at 01:22:24 user RogerW.
In Reply to: Re: Favourites posted by Peter Ceresole on October 22, 2013 at 11:43:20:
I agree, Peter. As an adult I have never been moved to read GN very often (though it is a lot better in Gabriel's adaptation).
When PM ends with five whole weeks of holiday remaining and the Swallows due at Holly How soon, that really was as far as Ransome could take the series. For me seems the perfect way to round off. The series had started with the Swallows and it seems fitting to end with the Amazons, no longer mere providers of exciting adventures for the Swallows, having come into their own at last.
What surprises me is the view that GN should be considered metafiction fantasy along with PD and ML. I am sure that Ransome never saw it that way.
He had a bit of a struggle with the need to give the gaels a strong reason to be angry at the disturbance of the deer at a time when they were about to give birth in June rather than North's suggestion of August.
"Why they are not at school heaven only knows!!!!!!" he wrote.
When Myles North suggested bringing in Peter Duck and Bill, Ransome wrote explaining the difference between the 'romantic' stories and the 'real' ones. (North's words)
Considerable thought was given to the dedication. It must 'do nothing to weaken the reality' Ransome wrote.
I don't see how it is possible to ignore these pointers.