Swallows and Amazons cover art

Swallows and Amazons

Swallows and Amazons Series, Book 1

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Swallows and Amazons

By: Arthur Ransome
Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
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About this listen

For anyone who loves sailing and adventure, Arthur Ransome's classic Swallows and Amazons series stands alone. Originally published over a half-century ago, the twelve books are still eagerly read by children and adults alike – by all those captivated by the world of adventure and imagination. Such longevity is not only due to Ransome’s unparalleled gift of storytelling, but also his championing of qualities such as independence and initiative; virtues that appeal to every generation, whether young or old. Swallows and Amazons, the book that started it all in 1930, introduces the Walker family, the camp on Wild Cat Island, the able-bodied catboat Swallow, and the two intrepid Amazons, plucky Nancy and Peggy Blackett.

Arthur Ransome was a prolific writer of children's books. Born in Leeds in 1884, it was his father, a nature-loving history professor, who inspired his love of the outdoors and nurtured a passion for fishing. As a child he enjoyed active, outdoor holidays: sailing, camping and exploring the countryside. He used many of these holiday settings for his children's stories, notably the much-loved Swallows and Amazons, a book that sits comfortably in the category of ‘timeless classic’. In 1936 he won the first ever Carnegie Medal for the sixth book in the Swallows & Amazons series, Pigeon Post.

©2013 Arthur Ransome (P)2013 Audible Ltd
Action & Adventure Classics Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Outdoor Adventure Funny Camping Transportation Fishing Celebration
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Critic reviews

“Enchanting and escapist” ( Sunday Express)
“There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun which is delightful and stimulating” ( Times Literary Supplement )
“Thrilling not only to young readers fond of the sea, but also to older readers who remember how they enjoyed sea stories when they themselves were young” ( The Scotsman)
“All the thrills of Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe" ( Daily Telegraph)
“Absolutely fantastic” ( Daily Express)

What listeners say about Swallows and Amazons

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  • Overall
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Excellent fun

I enjoyed this so much more than I did as a child. A wonderful snapshot into an idyllic childhood. The performance is spot on. So enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Rightly a classic

Three cheers for a great performance of a true classic. Hurrah! Swallows and Amazons forever!

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  • Overall
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Loved it

It took a little while to settle into this book - as you can imagine it is quite old fashioned.
But once we got going, it most definitely captured my daughters imagination
Highly recommended

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

This book is amazing it is awesome and fantastic I really want More of these books.

This book is awesome and fantastic I rate this book five star's because it is amazing

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  • Overall
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Also enjoyable for adults

I bought after a recommendation. I was scared that a children's story would be boring for me but I really enjoyed the story and the characters. And the narrator is doing a good job.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderfully captures a child's view of the world

Enjoyable for both adults and children. A story that anyone who has ever lived by water can relate to. Well narrated.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Swallows and amazons

I did not like how they said the story in a normal voices no exitment but it's a good book 4 stars

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Such Fun!

What an adventure! No make-believe here! This is real! Imagination, what it’s all about! Six children, a lake, an island.Don’t we all thrill to the possibilities? Haven’t we all been there, in one way or another?A classic, because timeless. Oh yes, Daddy’s away at sea, there is a nurse and there’s a schoolroom back home, with hints of going away to board in the new term. It doesn’t
matter, because the fun’s the thing for us all. I am overwhelmed by their sailing skills; there’s an adult pirate who willingly walks the plank; buried treasure, and drama on the high seas. Wouldn’t you join in? And the butter and eggs and milk, fresh from the farm; and fruit cake and pie. And a great storm as well. Come on!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Terrible Narration!

I love this book, so when I saw this as an audio book I had to get it. Later when I first listened to it I thought it was fine, but later when I listened to it again I could point out several mistakes. The Narrator (Gareth Armstrong) sometimes mistakes words and different terms, and in the later stories (I have some of them too) he changes names. I am really annoyed by some of the voices, John's is really annoyingly thick, Susan's is to mother like, and Titty's is very childish. Roger's is alright and I like the Amazon's voices. I don't think that Gareth Armstrong should ruin anymore stories for anyone. People like particular things and they most certainly don't like different terms in a story that they already have read, especially ones they like.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A childhood classic and still, surprisingly good t

I grew up with the Swallows & Amazons stories. It was about the only fiction I would read, preferring mainly comics like "The Eagle". Now 50 years later I've found this edition on Audible. OK, yes the story and the character's names have aged a bit. But I was genuinely surprised at how much I still enjoyed the story. Well worth a listen!

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