Swallowdale [Swallows and Amazons #2]

"Aug. 11. 1931. We climbed Kanchenjunga."<br /><br />"Shiver my timbers"<br />"Sh! You tame galoot."<br /><br />Just when you start to think that the author had written everything he had in his mind the first book, Swallowdale will quickly make you realize that cannot be further from the truth. This second installment of the series is much more fun, and gets better in almost everyway compared to the original. Loved every little bit of it.<br /><br />"We've just bathed. No Amazons yet. Wind south. Light. Sky clear. Now we are going to get the milk."<br /><br />What surprised me the most was - even with the environs being more or less the same as Swallows and Amazons - how little repetition we find while continuing through this new journey, which is to be expected in a series like this. It was also great having the entire gang from before. I don't thing I speak for all when I say thins, but, Titty Walker and Nancy Blackett are becoming two of my favorites characters of all time. Now that Ransome has made it clear there's a lot more to come, can't wait to go through the third book (and the rest).<br /><br />"We're all duffers sometimes, but it's only now and then that we get found out."<br /><br />"When a think's done, it's done, and if it's not done right, do it differently next time. Worrying never made a sailor."<br /><br />"Much better fun not knowing what was coming next."

This is the second instalment in the Swallows and Amazons series.<br /><br />For most of the year John, Susan, Titty, and Roger are siblings. For the duration of their summer holidays, however, they transform into Captain John, First Mate Susan, Able Seaman Titty, and the Ship's Boy Roger. They venture away from their summer dwelling in their sailing boat, Swallow, and camp upon Wildcat Island, at the centre of a nearby lake.<br /><br />This year, however, their plans are scuppered early on, when wild winds thrust Swallow upon the rocks and sinks her to the bottom in moments. They quickly find their beloved boat can be saved, although much repair work must be done to allow her to fulfil her duties again, and their summer plans can also be salvaged, with the discovery of a new camping ground with nearby unexplored territory .<br /><br />The early shipwreck meant the focus of this novel was less on sailing and more on navigating the land, instead. I found this just as intriguing as book one and enjoyed the adventures the foursome had, along with their friends and the Amazon sailing boat crew, Peggy and Nancy. <br /><br />One especially sweet moment arrived at the summit of a perilous climb. Roger unearthed a buried box and inside a hand-written note revealed the names of the Amazon's uncle, mother, and deceased father, after one of their own childhood adventures thirty years previously. It was quite sorrowful to think, however, that modern-day children no longer experience adventures and unsupervised stretches of time like those featured in this series, so altered is the world now.

Update of May 2013:<br /><br />Three years (give or take a couple months) is not really enough of a gap in between rereadings of a series I know as well as this one. Swallowdale in particular seems like it could benefit from lying fallow for a decade or so. But I suppose that in 2010 I just didn't dare to allow myself to foresee that my son would eventually appreciate having these read aloud to him, lest I jinx the chances of his liking these books which mean so much to me.<br /><br />As was also the case in my recent reading aloud of Swallows and Amazons, I suspect Ransome of deliberately making the chapters before the appearance of the Amazons boring just to contrast how much livelier things are when they do show up. Three times during the Swallows' first day and evening on Wild Cat Island, we have scenes in which various Walkers are observing <i>Swallow</i> lying snug in a harbor whose perfections are also detailed each time. The system of the harbor markings is explained at least twice. One notices these things more, reading aloud. Of course in my loyalty, I want to say that Ransome is doing this by design, side-stepping the fact that he's not always the most sparkling of writers...<br /><br /><br />Review of July 9, 2010:<br /><br />On rereading this book for the umpteenth time (although for the first time in many years) I just settled down with a happy sigh. How I love these books. This one is even better than <i>Swallows and Amazons</i>: longer, more eventful, and a shade more emotionally complex, but still with the same unrushed holiday pace in the leisurely unfolding of the story. I liked it better than ever.<br /><br />Taking place in the summer immediately following the first book, it deals with two calamities that strike separate blows to the holiday adventure plans of the Swallows and their allies the Amazons. One I won't mention on account of not wanting to spoil the book -- but trust me, it's very exciting. The other is the arrival of the Amazons' Great Aunt Maria (the G.A.), a gorgon of an aunt who arrives at Beckfoot instituting a reign of terror involving best frocks, decorous behavior and punctual attendance at meals. Poor Captain Nancy! I relished this part of the book more than ever, and had the realization that as satisfactory as the ending of this book is, the real conclusion to the story of the Blacketts and their aunt doesn't come until the end of a much later book in the series <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/439465.The_Picts___the_Martyrs_or_Not_Welcome_at_All__Swallows_and_Amazons___11_" title="The Picts &amp; the Martyrs or Not Welcome at All (Swallows and Amazons, #11) by Arthur Ransome" rel="noopener">The Picts and the Martyrs or Not Welcome at All</a>. <br /><br />Whereas the first book took place almost entirely on the lake, this one involves more of the country and people around it. The Swallows know the place better and are in turn known and liked, and consequently are more involved in the texture of the lives of the people around them, even as they continue with their independent adventuring, and are always "lurking" and hiding from the natives. I loved how virtually everybody the kids meet knows all about Aunt Maria Turner and how the cook at Beckfoot is on the verge of giving notice because of her.<br /><br />Can't wait to continue my reread of the series, but will probably take a pause between books -- they're too good to be gulped down all at once.

I read the first book in this series years ago and fell head-over-heels in love with it. My infatuation was so intense, that I felt downright repelled by any of the other books in the series. I have issues with sequels, and I was positive that no follow up novel could ever compare or measure up to the first novel. The first book was so marvelous, I just wanted it to keep going. I felt as broken-hearted and suspicious as the Swallows to discover that we wouldn’t be camping on Wildcat Island this summer. Like them, I was wounded and lost. How could this new adventure compare to the old one?<br /><br />But that was the genius – this isn’t more of the same – this is something new. There is a slightly wilder, tangier feeling to this book than its predecessor. This time around, our young heroes are more likely to reenact ancient explorers or an adventurous band of thieves than pirates and sailors. And yet the spirit is still the same. It still has the same sturdy, British attitude and stiff upper lip spirit that make it as attractive as a warm fire.<br /><br />Sometimes, a book that reminds me of my childhood ignites a wistfulness inside of me and makes me sad for the special time that can never be mine again.<br /><br />But then there are some books that don’t just remind me of my childhood – I AM a child again when I am reading it. Time falls away and I am in that happy place once more, and when I close the book, there is no sadness or wistfulness, only pleasure and complete satisfaction because, for a little while, I got to go back.

The second in Arthur Ransome's classic series about a group of children (a few groups of children, really) and their holiday adventures in the great outdoors, this delightful novel is more than the equal of its predecessor, <u> <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/125190.Swallows_and_Amazons__Swallows_and_Amazons___1_" title="Swallows and Amazons (Swallows and Amazons, #1) by Arthur Ransome" rel="noopener">Swallows and Amazons</a> </u>. Opening as the four Swallows - the Walker children: Captain John, Mate Susan, Able-Seaman Titty, and Ship's Boy Roger - return to the lake, eager for another summer of sailing, <u>Swallowdale</u> soon shifts focus, as two catastrophes - one maritime, the other familial - prevent their complete reunion with their friendly ally-adversaries, the Amazons. Landlocked, and unable to spend much time with Captain Nancy and Mate Peggy, the Swallows confront a summer stripped of all the delights they had spent a year anticipating. Until, that is, Titty and Roger discover a secret valley - the beautiful Swallowdale - and another sort of adventure begins...<br /><br />As with the first entry in the series, I was impressed by how engaging Ransome's narrative proved to be, given its leisurely pace, and lack of sensational incident. Everything that occurs - the discovery of Swallowdale, the Swallows camping out in their new valley stronghold, climbing Kanchenjunga (as they name a local peak), getting lost on a foggy moor - is realistically depicted. Despite that fact, or perhaps because of it, the reader is drawn into the story, following along with the adventures, enjoying the lovely descriptions, and taking the good-hearted, but wholly human children to heart.<br /><br />I was also particularly struck, while reading <u>Swallowdale</u>, by Ransome's understated humor, which I found just to my taste. The scene in which the Swallows are horrified to witness the Amazons being forced to wear dresses, and drive out with their dreaded Great Aunt, was quite amusing, as was Roger's observation, while resident with Young Billy the charcoal burner, that dreaming of a certain kind of adventure was one thing, but <i>living</i> it quite another! All in all, a delightful second installment of a series I am now determined to finish. I think I may save the next for the winter, though...

More 1930's kids camping/sailing/pirating adventures, this time with a shipwreck! And a cave! And a daring escape!<br /><br />I think one of the things that's most charming about these books is that they're so detailed. It's not just, 'the Swallows made camp,' it's a five-page explanation of how their tents work, and how they built a fire, and how they made a broom from brush. The educational value is faded with time, but the charm hasn't.<br />

This is a classic from yesteryear. I do wish they would bring it back into print. Oh, there are some comments that are perhaps not entirely pc, but none that are particularly uncomfortable. The kids refer to the "natives" and how to avoid them but it is all fantasy. I certainly would have no qualms letting a child read this. The worst problem reaction is likely the same reaction I have had: now I really want to take sailing lessons! There are also comments that may need interpreting by Americans since these are very British upper class families. Although I was aware of the upper class family part more as an adult than as a child. The clues are the casual way they speak of "Cook" as though she was a part of the family and a mention of a housemaid. The baby also has "Nurse". <br /><br />The Swallows have finally finished their school term (year) and are anxious to be back doing what they love: sailing and living on "their" island, Wild Cat Island, and sailing with their friends, the Amazons, two local girls. But nothing goes right. Their friends are stranded at home by a tyrannical nasty old fashioned Great Aunt who brought up their mother and Uncle Jim and assumes she still can rule the roost. Then the kids bash their boat, "Swallow" (as in the bird) on a partly submerged rock. They make the best of it and camp on land and have adventures with the Amazons in spite of the Great Aunt. What happens on these adventures and what did the Swallows discover that made a huge difference in their fun is just what you will have to read to find out. Start saving up money now for sailing lessons!

This is a kid’s adventure book good for ages 8-12. There’s long, beautiful descriptions and lots of dialogue making for a long book. Story is slow and charming as the four kids sail their ship and explore the islands around them. There is a part where Titty tries to make a voodoo doll out of candle grease but of course it just melts in the fire. She’s trying to make the great aunt leave her friends’ house but it’s more humorous as she’s all worried thinking she burnt up the “GA” ? I haven’t read the first one since it wasn’t available at my library so it took a bit to figure out the characters. Definitely would recommend reading these in order!

I think this is <b>definitely</b> one of my favourites from the collection!!<br />I loved the adventures and outdoor challenges. But also the references to hills and lakes of the Lake District which I knew and recognized from family walks. Perhaps more significantly I really envied the Walkers and "Red caps" freedom to explore independently, without their families. It seems that parents were much more liberal with allowing their children to be independent in this period.

I liked this one a little better than the first, perhaps because I have invested in the characters. My son is determined to get a sailboat now. This series and our recent sailing class have really sparked a passion for him.