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Description edit
The first title in Arthur Ransome's classic series, originally published in 1930: for children, for grownups, for anyone captivated by the world of adventure and imagination. Swallows and Amazons introduces the lovable Walker family, the camp on Wild Cat island, the able-bodied catboat... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters edit
- 'Captain' John Walker: Captain of the Swallow, eldest of the four Walker children. Is in charge of making final decisions and the most authoritative.
- 'Mate' Susan Walker: The Mate of the Swallow, second eldest of the four Walker children. She is the housekeeper and organiser, usually the most worried about keeping promises.
- 'A.B.' Titty Walker: The Able-Seaman of the Swallow, second youngest of the four Walker children. She is usually the most imaginative of the four.
- 'Boy' Roger Walker: Boy of the Swallow. He is the youngest of the four Walker children, and the most mischievous of the four.
- 'Captain' Nancy Blackett: The captain of the Amazon, and eldest of the two Blackett children. She is a very experienced seaman and usually takes command of expeditions. She is very brave, and not a sterio-typical 'girl'. Her real name is Ruth, but she prefers Nancy because her Uncle Jim once told her that Amazons are ruthless.
- 'Mate' Peggy Blackett: Mate of the Amazon, youngest of the Blackett children. She is not as brave as Nancy, but very like her. She is afraid of thunderstorms. Her real name is Margaret, but that doesn't feature much.
- James Turner (aka Uncle Jim, Captain Flint): The Amazon's uncle, and lives in a houseboat. He thinks that the Swallows have done something that the Amazons really have, and is opposed to them.
- Mrs. Walker (aka Mother): The Swallow's mother
- Commander Ted Walker: The Swallow's Dad, who sends the telegram to let them know they can stay on the island
- Mrs Blackett: The Amazon's Mother
- John Walker: Captain of Swallow
- Susan Walker: First Mate of Swallow
- Titty Walker: Able Seaman of Swallow
- Roger Walker: Ship's Boy
- Nancy Blackett: Captain of Amazon
- Peggy Blackett: First Mate of Amazon
- Captain Flint: Nancy and Peggy's Uncle
- Captain John: Add a description of this character.
- Mister Mate
- Captain Nancy
- Vicky
- Mrs Dixon
- Holly Howe
- Jim
- Mrs Jackson
- Robinson Crusoe
- Polly
- Young Billy
- Elizabeth
- Boy Roger
- Mr Turner
- Sammy
- Old Billy
- Billies
Quotes edit
-
“Better Drowned Than Duffers If Not Duffers Won't Drown”
Setting & Locations edit
- Wildcat Island: The island the Swallows camp on, and then later the Amazons
- Holly Howe: The house where the Walkers are staying
- Beckfoot: The Blackett's house
- The houseboat: Captain Flint's houseboat
- Amazon River
- Rio Bay
- Darien
- Swallow
- Cormorant Island
- Houseboat Bay
- Black Spot
- Shark Bay
First Sentence edit
Roger, aged seven, and no longer the youngest of the family, ran in wide zigzags, to and fro, across the steep field that sloped up from the lake to Holly Howe, the farm where they staying for part of the summer holidays.
Series & Lists edit
This is book 1 of 12 in Swallows and Amazons. (standard series)
Followed by Swallowdale (Godine Storyteller).
This is book 54 of 45 in 100 Books Every Child Should Read - Part 02: The Middle Years (The Telegraph). (authoritative list)
Preceded by The BFG, and followed by Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now.
This is book 57 of 196 in BBC 'Big Read' Top 200 Novels, 2003. (authoritative list)
Preceded by The BFG, and followed by Black Beauty.
This is book 77 of 95 in Telegraph Top 100 Books, 2008. (authoritative list)
Preceded by The Bell Jar, and followed by Germinal.
This book is in Random Synapses: 100 Book Reading Challenge (2011). (community list)
This is book 448 of 986 in 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. (authoritative list)
Preceded by Celia lo que dice (What Celia Says), and followed by The Secret of the Old Clock.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Arthur Ransome (Author)
- Arthur Ransome (Illustrator)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Country: UK
Publication Date: 1930
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Country: UK
Publication Date: 1930
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 352
Awards edit
- BBC's Big Read (April 2003, #57)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813
Subjects edit
- Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Family Life › Siblings › Fiction
- Books › Children's Books › Authors & Illustrators, A-Z › ( R ) › Ransome, Arthur
- Books › Children's Books › Series › Fantasy & Adventure › Swallows and Amazons
- Books › Teens › School & Sports › Fiction
- Books › Children's Books › Sports & Activities › Sports
- Books › Children's Books › Literature
- Books › Children's Books › Ages 9-12
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Links to Supplemental Material edit
- The Arthur Ransome Society: Provides interesting information about the author.
- Guardian.co.uk: An article about the possibility of Ransome being a spy by Jon Henley
More Books Like This edit
Books with Additional Background Information edit
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