book data
396 ratings,
4.25
average rating, 72 reviews
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published
September 1st 1986
(first published 1985)
by David R. Godine Publisher
binding
Paperback, 352 pages
isbn
087923573X
(isbn13: 9780879235734)
description
The first title in Arthur Ransome's classic series, originally published in 1930: for children, for grownups, for anyone captivated by the world of ad...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 678)
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avg 4.25
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
If you are looking for Bridge to Terabithia or The High King, you aren't going to find it here. This is from the other tradition of great British tales for children. It is an old fashioned adventure tale about four children spending part of their summer vacation camping out and sailing around a lake, and playing pirates with some other kids they meet. Thats what it is. Nobody has a painful secret, nobody is really a fairy, nobody develops a terminal illness, nobody discovers a door into elsew...more
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5 comments
Read in December, 2007
My daughter Arwen always loved this book, and I found her a copy from 1939 this year for Christmas. So of course I read it.
It's among the most charming childrens' books I've ever read. It has a marvelous blending of real life and imagination (and I'm sure it was an inspiration to CS Lewis for his Narnia books. Though they soon go off into a purely imaginative land, they begin in a world where a wardrobe can be a doorway to another world.) Swallows and Amazons is like that, about ...more
It's among the most charming childrens' books I've ever read. It has a marvelous blending of real life and imagination (and I'm sure it was an inspiration to CS Lewis for his Narnia books. Though they soon go off into a purely imaginative land, they begin in a world where a wardrobe can be a doorway to another world.) Swallows and Amazons is like that, about ...more
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Luke loved this book, despite the overabundance of sailing terms. I think the independence and confidence of the kids sailing really resonated to him. Arthur Ransome seemed to know what details to camping and exploring kids would love. I loved how often the group stopped to make a fire for tea. It's a charming book and part of a series.
I'm copying the below summary from Wikipedia.
The story follows the Walker children (John, Susan, Titty and Roger), who sail a borro...more
I'm copying the below summary from Wikipedia.
The story follows the Walker children (John, Susan, Titty and Roger), who sail a borro...more
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One of the best books about regular children doing regular things I have ever read. The story is fun and the adventures are inspiring. The language is rich and enjoyable
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Read in June, 2009
In this first installment about the Swallows (John, Susan, Titty, and Roger) and the Amazons (Ruth, aka Nancy when she is a pirate, and Peggy) we experience how much fun outdoor adventures -- camping and exploring and make-believe -- can be even for the adults (or natives as they are called by the children/pirates). In this nostalgic narrative, I remembered my days as an imaginative youth and even saw bits of myself in Titty and Susan and Nancy. Although I enjoyed reading Swallows and Amazons,...more
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Read in January, 1980
I read this as a youth and, it may not have changed my life but it focused some tendencies that were already there.
England's Lake District sounded very much like my own Muskoka Lakes district in Ontario and sailing was something I wanted to do.
Sophomorically, I remember being fine reading the name of one of the girls -her full name was probably Titiana, but wouldn't have told any of my friends. In the book, it was shortened, with no trace of concern, to Titty.
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England's Lake District sounded very much like my own Muskoka Lakes district in Ontario and sailing was something I wanted to do.
Sophomorically, I remember being fine reading the name of one of the girls -her full name was probably Titiana, but wouldn't have told any of my friends. In the book, it was shortened, with no trace of concern, to Titty.
...more
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Read in April, 2009
This was one of the best books that I read. My mom has been bugging me to read the series for a long time, and I started this book a while ago, but I thought that it was kind of boring. I admit that at first it does go a little slow, but as soon as you get into it, you can't put it down.
There was one thing, that at first was kind of cool, but then it got really annoying. The author would describe the way that they sailed and exactly what they did when, and how , and why. At firs...more
There was one thing, that at first was kind of cool, but then it got really annoying. The author would describe the way that they sailed and exactly what they did when, and how , and why. At firs...more
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Read in March, 2009
This was a big favorite of mine as a child, and I've recently re-read it almost 40 years on.
This is a story of another time - a group of siblings being allowed to get into scrapes and have adventures involving boats, exploring lakes and islands, cooking on open fires, talking to strangers... all apparently without having arguments with each other! What a great way for kids to spend the summer.
I'd certainly recommend it to 10-11 year olds, although I suspect that many won'...more
This is a story of another time - a group of siblings being allowed to get into scrapes and have adventures involving boats, exploring lakes and islands, cooking on open fires, talking to strangers... all apparently without having arguments with each other! What a great way for kids to spend the summer.
I'd certainly recommend it to 10-11 year olds, although I suspect that many won'...more
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06/22/08
Kathryn
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I only made it maybe 1/3 of the way through, alas. I know a lot of people absolutely LOVE this series, but it did not really grab me. The idea is sweet and fun and part of me wanted very much to join the Swallows and Amazons on Wild Cat Island, camping and sailing round the Lake District and making up all kind of adventures. But, alas, I found the action boring rather than enchanting, and the characters just weren't that vivid -- no new chums found here. Perhaps I'll come back to it at anoth...more
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10 comments
Wonderful kids' book from the 1930's. First of a series of twelve. Takes you into a time and place where kids could be kids, camping in nature for summer holiday, adventurous and imaginative: the author remembered what it's like to be a child. I love the sense of humor and the writing style which describes small moments in detail- a squirrel's journey from one branch to another or a dipper bobbing on a rock. This is the sort of book that a kid can treasure and make it part of his or her own life...more
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I've read this book many times - I was about 14 the first time. Swallows and Amazons stands the test of time because it is an adventure story of four children in the Lake District of England who sailed to an uninhabited island and camped there. The author writes it from their point of view with skill and respect. It is fun, exciting, and engaging.
The book started my love of sailing, which remains with me still...
The book started my love of sailing, which remains with me still...
This is a great children's book! It captures such a sense of adventure, as well as a real appreciation for camping and sailing. It did take a couple of chapters to get used to the fact that one of the children was named Titty...the whole book seemed a little bit representative of a different time and place, but that was one of the nice things about it. I loved it, and would definitely recommend this one.
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Read in May, 2009
Now this was a rollicking read. It was a children's book from 1930, and it ahs to be said that the children all seemed to act older than they actually are. But it was a wonderful story. It's set in the lake District and revolves around four children and their boat, meeting two others with their boat. It includes detailed descriptions of their sailing, and pirates, you can't go wrong with a pirate!
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Read in January, 1978
As a child these were my favourite books, I loved stories of adventure and my family holidayed in the English Lake District where these books are set so I knew the places they visited.
Whilst on holiday I would imagine meeting the Swallows and Amazons on every lake. At school my friends and I would play Swallows and Amazons. My best friend Sarah and I, being the only ones who were truly obsessed by the books would take charge and we would, of course, be the Amazons. Sarah was always Nancy a...more
Whilst on holiday I would imagine meeting the Swallows and Amazons on every lake. At school my friends and I would play Swallows and Amazons. My best friend Sarah and I, being the only ones who were truly obsessed by the books would take charge and we would, of course, be the Amazons. Sarah was always Nancy a...more
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One of my favourite children's books of all time. Not so well known in the States, but a children's classic in Britain.
John, Susan, Titty and Roger have gone to stay in the Lake country for the Summer with their mother while their father is away at sea. When they discover an island on the lake, they beg their mother to allow them to camp on the island for the remainder of the Summer holidays. So sailing out in the boat named "Swallow" they soon find that the island is not...more
John, Susan, Titty and Roger have gone to stay in the Lake country for the Summer with their mother while their father is away at sea. When they discover an island on the lake, they beg their mother to allow them to camp on the island for the remainder of the Summer holidays. So sailing out in the boat named "Swallow" they soon find that the island is not...more
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This is a great read aloud story about 4 siblings who vacation in the lake district of England. They are avid sailors and are given permission to camp on an island in the lake. Full of their adventures, details of daily camp life, and their friendship with the "Amazon" pirates, this book will enchant you, your children==boys and girls.
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Read in October, 2008
I read this to my kids. The plot is so simple- 4 siblings (2 brothers and 2 sisters) are allowed to sail a small sailboat (The Swallow) to Wildcat Island and camp out for a couple of weeks during the summer. During this time their world slips into a true children's world- grown ups are referred to as natives, the children become the ships' captain, the first mate, the able seaman and the ships' boy. A neighboring man living on a houseboat becomes Captain Flint- a retired pirate. This is a true a...more
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recommends it for:
8 and up
I've read this book twice now, and I'll always remember it as a favourite childhood book. It's set in the early 1930's with four children on summer vacation with their mother in the Lake District of England. They discover a sailing boat in a boat house on the lake and are given permission to use it. After exploring the lake, they decide to camp out the rest of the summer on "Wildcat Island" the mysterious and wonderful small island they claim to have discovered. But they do not know th...more
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This and the other eleven books in the Swallows and Amazons series were my favorite books in early adolescence. The author successfully creates a carefree but intricate world for the characters. Imagination (and suspension of disbelief) are required.
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01/08/09
Fiona
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Read in January, 1996
I read this series of books when I was about 10-11 and became obsessed with them. I'm not sure how many times I read these books over and over again. I loved the adventure and wanted to be a part of them
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quotes from this book
"BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS IF NOT DUFFERS WONT DROWN"
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