Posted by andy bolger on August 22, 2001 at 18:33:36 from 213.122.96.207:
In Reply to: Re: Resemblances to characters too posted by Peter H on August 22, 2001 at 16:08:21:
I read an interesting review of E. Nesbit's Bastable family series ( "New Treasurer Seekers" "The Woodbegoods" if I have their names right) which pointed out the similarities between the Bastable children and the Swallows. The review was by Joan Aiken who is an excellent writer herself. I found it in an exhibition produced by the Nesbit Society to commemorate "The Railway Children" which is believed to be set in New Mills not far from where I live in the Derbyshire Peak District.
I'm afraid I never followed this up and check out her claims, nor can I provide the exact quote. But I had already noted similarities between these books the 12. They belong to that small genre of"children's adventures that don't involve adult baddies as plot drivers" other examples include Bevis and Tom Sawyer.