William's Crowded Hours

Just William #13

by Richmal Crompton

Timed to coincide with William's 80th birthday this story concerns Ginger's odious cousin Percy who is a grown-up. The outlaws decide to devote their undivided attention on him and teach him a lesson.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Short Stories

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

Richmal Crompton Lamburn was initially trained as a schoolmistress but later became a popular English writer, best known for her Just William series of books, humorous short stories, and to a lesser extent adult fiction books.

Crompton's fiction centres around family and social life, dwelling on the constraints that they place on individuals while also nurturing them. This is best seen in her depiction of children as puzzled onlookers of society's ways. Nevertheless, the children, particularly William and his Outlaws, almost always emerge triumphant.

Reviews

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a delight to return to the world of William Brown and the Outlaws. There are some real gems in this collection, I particularly like the tale of 'The Outlaws and the Tramp'. Richmal Crompton writes so fluidly and I love the humour. I am sure a lot of it went over my head when I read these books as a child but as an adult I can really appreciate the irony.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this volume of stories. It was a new book to me (I think) although I may have read it as a child, I'm not entirely sure.

The majority of the stories were familiar to me through their excellent readings by Martin Jarvis, but two were new to me.

These were "A Crowded Hour With William" and "William and The Sleeping Major". I throughly enjoyed both stories, but the first just edges out as my favourite of the two.

I enjoyed all the stories, but had some particular favourites which were:

"William and The Spy"
"The Plan That Failed"
"The Outlaws and Cousin Percy"
"William and The Temporary History Master"
"William and The Snowman"

[Catherine Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother introduced me to these books. She read them as a child back in the 30s and has continued to enjoy them throughout her life. I still enjoy them too. They make me laugh out loud. There is nothing preachy in them at all. William is a 'naughty' boy and he and reader both relish in his escapades.

[Sanoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry.

[LS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delight as always. To get my hands on these books almost two decades after I loves them was just divine.

[Valeria Yantani · Rating 1 out of 5]

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