If you’re not going to read the whole lot (and there is some variation in quality), I would suggest Winter Holiday, and then if you like that it’s natural to follow it with Pigeon Post. To me these are the best of the bunch.
Thanks Ronald. I also have him in the 'comfort reading' category - and likewise Austen.
I do agree about his handling of plot and story; to me this is exemplified in 'Pigeon Post', where each of the eight young characters has their part to play, though there's a special place for the three youngest, Titty, Roger, and Dick. And the unveiling of Squashy Hat at the end is a masterstroke.
I have never read Ransome. Should I fill some of the gap between now and Vows and Watersheds’ launch with one of his books? And if so, which would you recommend?
I return to Ransome for comfort reading whenever I'm really ill... along with CS Forester's 'Hornblower' series (though I suspect you may want to disparage the gender balance there) and Jane Austen. Apart from the aspects you mention, Ransome is a master in plot and story (action so often being determined by character) and dialogue.
If you’re not going to read the whole lot (and there is some variation in quality), I would suggest Winter Holiday, and then if you like that it’s natural to follow it with Pigeon Post. To me these are the best of the bunch.
Thanks Ronald. I also have him in the 'comfort reading' category - and likewise Austen.
I do agree about his handling of plot and story; to me this is exemplified in 'Pigeon Post', where each of the eight young characters has their part to play, though there's a special place for the three youngest, Titty, Roger, and Dick. And the unveiling of Squashy Hat at the end is a masterstroke.
I have never read Ransome. Should I fill some of the gap between now and Vows and Watersheds’ launch with one of his books? And if so, which would you recommend?
I return to Ransome for comfort reading whenever I'm really ill... along with CS Forester's 'Hornblower' series (though I suspect you may want to disparage the gender balance there) and Jane Austen. Apart from the aspects you mention, Ransome is a master in plot and story (action so often being determined by character) and dialogue.