Book launch: Julian Lovelock, “Swallows, Amazons and Coots”

Former University of Buckingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor Julian Lovelock has written the first book devoted solely to the study of Arthur Ransome’s 12 novels.

In Swallows, Amazons and Coots Lovelock highlights that to be properly appreciated today, the novels must be read as products of their era, inextricably bound up with Ransome’s life as he bore witness to the end of Empire and the dark days of the Second World War.

He assesses Ransome’s creative process and narrative technique, highlighting his contradictory politics, his defence of rural England, and his reflections on colonialism and the place of women in society. He demonstrates that, despite first appearances, the novels challenge as much as reinforce the pervading attitudes of their time.

The book, Swallows, Amazons and Coots, published by the Lutterworth Press (read more), will be relevant to anyone who has enjoyed the world of “Swallows and Amazons” but there is plenty to challenge both the student and the Ransome enthusiast.

At a book launch held at the University, Sophie Neville, who was a child star of the 1974 film Swallows and Amazons, and President of The Arthur Ransome Society, read extracts from his works.

Lovelock, who was also formerly Dean of Arts, said: “My own childhood adventures first interested me in Arthur Ransome’s tales of sailing and exploration.

“Stories are more relevant than ever when children have too much time in front of computer screens and too little freedom to go off exploring. There’s evidence that when children do get outdoors, it boosts their problem-solving skills, cooperation, focus and self-discipline.”

There has been renewed interest in Arthur Ransome with the release of a new feature film of Swallows and Amazons last month and the 50^th anniversary of his death is being marked in 2017 with a number of events.