Product Description

This book comprises a collection of stories found by Hugh Brogan among Arthur Ransome's papers. In the unfinished thirteenth "Swallows and Amazons" adventure three young Coots - Joe, Bill and Pete - undergo a hair-raising journey as stowaways from Norfolk to the Lakes. There they encounter the intrepid Nancy Blackett. The other stories include "The Cloudburst", a fishing tale called "Where is Thomas Staunton?", the Baltic sailing mysteries "Two Shorts and a Long" and "The Unofficial Side", the Breton ghost story "Ankou" and an eerie cautionary tale of old Russia called "The Shepherd's Pipe". The text is accompanied by Ransome's own drawings.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #296557 in Books
• Published on: 1988-10-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

Customer Reviews

Who wouldn't want more Ransome ?
The twelve 'Swallows and Amazons' stories have attracted readers since the time they were first published. Everyone always wants more of their favourite author and their favourite characters. A thirteenth story would be sure of many readers across the world and of all ages and countries. There is nothing quite like 'the Ransome touch' and no writer has quite captured the spirit of his books.

However, the writing in this book, though it does not give us all that we would ask for, still manages to touch the same chords that stirred us when we were younger. The unfinished manuscript, called 'Coots in the North' by Hugh Brogan, tells us a little bit more about the Death and Glories and their possible meeting with the redoubtable Nancy. There are all sorts of possibilities that the imaginative reader can pursue for him or herself. Even the customary sketches can start yet more new trains of thought.

The extracts from 'The River Comes First' provide a magical reading experience and make you long for not just yet another 'Swallows and Amazons' adventure but the completion of this deeper manuscript that obviously meant a lot to him both as a writer and a lover of the lakes and rivers.