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The Big Six
- Swallows and Amazons, Book 9
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
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The Big Six
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Summary
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 12 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.
In this (more or less) sequel to the adventures of Coot Club, Arthur Ransome returns once more to his beloved Norfolk Broads where trouble is again brewing for Joe, Bill, and Pete, the three boatbuilders' sons who live aboard the Death and Glory, and the three Coots, Tom, Dorothea and Dick. The problem seems to be that boats are constantly being set adrift and all the evidence points squarely at the three Death and Glories. In a clever bit of detective work, and with some help from a sophisticated photographic trap, the Big Six manage to exonerate themselves and catch the villains.
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. In 1936 he won the first ever Carnegie Medal for the sixth book in the Swallows & Amazons series, Pigeon Post.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- E. Weston
- 20-10-22
Truth and Lies
I really enjoyed the telling of this tale. As a child around 9 years old I was given my first Swallows and Amazons book and went on to complete the set. I don’t have them anymore 50 years later, and I find it difficult to sit down and read as finding the time and being able to hold a book is hard to do. Revisiting the series whilst I get on with other things is delightful! I don’t regret it. In fact I highly recommend them to young and old alike, though the youngsters might find it difficult to picture not having a mobile phone to alert each other at any time of day or night! But these kids in the tale are really having a brilliant time and a difficult one too. However it does demonstrate that with a little thought and good friends it is possible to win the day in the end!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Patricia
- 17-01-23
Would have been 5 star
Surely the N word could have been removed/replaced. Found it shocking and unexpected and most importantly unnecessary
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. G. Chew
- 11-10-20
Downmarked for just one thing ...
The reader's quite good, handling the accent changes well, but mispronounces 'Cachalot' (an alternative name for a sperm whale) and a pun of Catch-a-lot, which aptly describes the purpose-built fisherman's boat, whose unnamed owner befriends the Death And Glories.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- HS
- 19-02-21
Amazing
I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely recommend it for people that like a mystery. This book doesn’t really make sense if you haven’t read (or listen) the ones before it in the series.
It is about some people that are being framed for casting off boats and taking shackles. They then decide to find out who it is and why they want to, and succeed.
If you have trouble getting to sleep then you can play it when you are in bed. I find this very useful especially when I have something in mind that I am worrying about. The gentle tone of the narrator doesn’t keep me awake, instead it calms me when I am in an exiting part of the story.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Shegramy
- 21-05-18
The Big Six
A book brought to life by the narrator. Although this reader is over up years old it relived my childhood in the innocent days of yore.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martin
- 13-05-19
Perfect performance, perfect story
Loved the reading of this - the voices were really clear and expertly done. Classic Ransome.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarklet
- 15-12-22
Brilliant story, beautifully read
I enjoyed every minute of this listen. Good old Arthur Ransome, I could also set see him writing away, making sure he made it as exciting as possible.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Katie
- 18-06-19
Great story, well read
My family has loved all of Gareth Armstrong's Swallows & Amazons narrations, but this particular story is one of our very favourites.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 29-05-17
Love it!
Much less dated than I expected. Gripping yarn. My children loved it and demanded the next one straight away.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jill M
- 22-06-22
One of my favourites!
This book was published in 1940. It’s a detective story featuring Dick and Dorothea, my favourite characters from Arthur Ransome’s series of stories about children and boats! I listen on Audible or I read the books as the illustrations are so charming. This one is best read after Coot Club as they link together with the same characters in the Horning area of Norfolk. I enjoyed them so much I persuaded my other half to take a holiday in the area, visiting Ranworth Broad and Horning, then down to Gr Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Beccles- a lovely trip!
I read the whole series as a child, or had them read to me as parents used to do, which is probably why I enjoy the Audible version, as another reviewer mentioned, the narrator has a gentle voice and he plays all the characters beautifully. The reading relieves all the stress of the day and I often fall asleep!!
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