Swallows and Amazons, a review

Book Review of
Swallows and Amazons
by
William
10-28-09

When a book involves exploring, pirates, and sea battles, a reader knows that it must be exciting and fun to read. Swallows and Amazons, which was written by Arthur Ransome and published by Lippincott in New York in 1931, is not set on the high seas of the Atlantic. It does however, involve adventure and many miniature mock battles that make the book more interesting. The author shows how much fun six imaginative children can have together just pretending to be explorers and pirates. Most kids do not have the chance to explore an unknown island, let alone live on it for a time. That would be extremely fun. Swallows and Amazons is definitely the story of an adventure that only those in a book can truly have.

At the beginning of the story there are four children who live on the bank of a lake that has an island in it that they want to live on. Their names are Captain John, Mate Susan, Able-seaman Titty, and the ship’s boy, Roger. The point of view switches from character to character, but it is all in third person. Towards the middle of the book, Ransome focuses more on one character while still keeping the book in the third person. Captain John leads his fellow shipmates to the island where they set up camp. From the time they set out to the time they return, there is a great sense of mystery as to what will happen. When writing the book, Arthur Ransome added that feeling, as well as one of humor, to keep readers interested in what will happen. He was very successful in keeping readers guessing.

The Swallows, as Captain John and his crew call themselves, meet problems all over the place. One man gets angry at them because he thinks that they set fire to his boathouse. They later discover that someone had been on the island before them, but they do not know who it is. During their stay at the island, they discover who it was: the “Amazons”, two sisters who came to the island a year ago. Known as Captain Nancy and Mate Peggy, the Amazons at first invade the camp but later become friends with the Swallows. Both groups form an alliance against the man with the boathouse, (known as Captain Flint by his enemies) who turns out to be the girls’ uncle. Although the Amazons confessed that they had set fire to the boat, they still decided, along with the Swallows, to declare war on Captain Flint because of his false accusation. After forcing him to walk the plank and becoming allies with him, the Swallows and Amazons are bid home by their mothers. Despite the many trials that they faced, the Swallows enjoyed the adventure and planned to go again.

I liked the book for a couple of reasons. First, I enjoyed how the author explained everything that the people in the book did. This kept me reading because I could understand what was happening throughout the entire book. I also definitely liked how he kept a small level of suspense while still keeping the story humorous. Even the characters names added to the story by giving it a flavor that would not have existed unless the characters had fake names. He did a great job on this. So the book had many spectacular elements in it that kept the book worth reading.

Arthur Ransome’s incredible book is a work of true literature. His characters truly come alive in it. Its humor and mystery allow the reader to have fun reading the story. Perhaps you will like Swallows and Amazons and agree with what I have said. If you are interested in a book that should be considered a classic, read the Swallows and Amazons. You will not be disappointed in book that will be your eyes glued to the page.