Capn’s Reviews > Castaway Christmas > Status Update
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Oh wow, shameless in-book advertising? Or did Margaret J. Baker really feel these constituted specific neccessities?: "There are sandwiches and a flask of tea in this carrier bag, with glucose sweets for Pinks, those tablets to clean your teeth, paper handkerchiefs, new Puffin books for you both, and a Penguin detective story for Lincoln when he joins you at the junction".
— Dec 16, 2022 03:52AM
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Capn
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"Stir Up Sunday" is a new one to me. I thought it might refer to civil unrest. XD
— Dec 16, 2022 03:12AM
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Emily
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Dec 16, 2022 05:42AM
That's funny -- referring to books by publisher does seem very artificial,
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Although, I am the proud owner of a Penguin Books bag. :) And I do like Puffins and Penguins. So I can see how it would be somewhat natural.. it just seems like something they might have edited out (assuming Baker put it in - I'm guessing an editor did it, though!)... :)I kind of like it - early and clumsy integrated marketing. Kind of cute, in a diabolical sort of way. XD
I think at the time Puffins would have been ubiquitous in the UK in the same way that Scholastic Book Services (the bookfair imprint) books were in the US. More than 90% of my UK paperbacks of that vintage are Puffins. On the other hand, the Penguin Detective story mention just sounds odd.
My current favourite theory is that an unscrupulous Editor sort of retroactively added that info. ;) Because if they were so ubiquitous, then why name-drop? As you said, "A Puffin each for two of you, and I bought a detective story for Lincoln" and I wouldn't have taken any notice at all! :)A bit silly. I love all these funny old details, though. :) Just makes it all the more interesting and 'of its time', you know?!
(If you're into vintage children's lit, consider joining us at "Forgotten Vintage Children's Lit We Want Republished!" - https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... ) :) It's a small but fun group to bring attention to forgotten authors or works that ought not to have fallen into obscurity. ;)
