“Wilderness is not a luxury
but a necessity of the
human spirit.”
Edward Abbey
“Dark Sky Island” by Enya (courtesy of Letitia Luca):
“Unless you try to do something
beyond what you have already
mastered, you will never grow!”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Courtesy of Rimpyroo:
Today’s post is about a book that is loved and famous because its author had deeply felt emotions of love for nature, freedom, adventure, imagination, and the talent to put those feelings into words. The readers who know this book will agree, those who still are planning to read it, are in for an unforgettable treat.
ARTHUR RANSOME
1884 – 1967
Courtesy of Mad Biker 3020:
Arthur Ransome was born in Leeds in 1884, the oldest of four children. His father was a history professor at what is now Leeds University. Ransome was educated at Rugby. Until his father’s death, when Arthur was 13, the family would spend every summer holiday in a house on Coniston Water. His father inspired Arthur’s love of the outdoors A few years later when Ransome was struggling to earn a living as a writer in London, he snatched a brief holiday in Coniston and met a near neighbour, a celebrated writer and Lakeland artist, W.G. Collingwood.
Coniston Water in the Lake District
Courtesy of Aerodynamics Consultants Ltd:
It was a watershed in his life. He was taken in by the Collingwoods and more or less adopted into their family. Their son, Robin, and two daughters, Dora and Barbara, taught him how to sail. In due course, he proposed to both in turn, and although both turned him down, Ransome remained close to them. Dora went on to marry Dr Ernest Altounyan; the Swallows and Amazons were the children Ransome would have wanted to have.
Instead, he married Ivy Walker, a melodramatic aspiring writer. She would send telegrams to herself, and empty plates of eggs over her head to gain her husband’s attention. Aged 24, Ransome had proposed to her half as a joke, and when he tried to break off the engagement, there were histrionic scenes that made him feel, he said, ‘at the same time a villain and a rabbit.’
He became a reporter for the Daily News, in London, for whom he was a Russian correspondent during the First World War and the Russian Revolution. Mostly to escape Ivy, Ransome took off for Russia in 1913, though not before they had a daughter, Tabitha. Poor eyesight and ill health made him unfit to join the British Army in 1914, so he was able to stay in Russia as a correspondent through the days of the revolution and the founding of the Soviet Union. It is thought that Ransome was the only Englishman to play chess with Lenin.
Alexander Bogdanov playing chess with Lenin
He was recruited into MI6 and filed regular reports on the Soviet leadership to the Secret Intelligence Service. He was far too dreamy to be a proper spy, but courageous nonetheless. Twice he bluffed his way through the front lines of the Russian civil war to carry peace proposals from Estonia to Kremlin. Walking towards the lines, he clenched his pipe in his teeth and puffed furiously, trusting that nobody would shoot a man with a pipe in his mouth. He won over the soldiers who threatened to kill him and went on his way. Walking back through the lines, he was challenged three times by different warring bands, and survived the last challenge when an officer recognised him as a chess partner.
“Piano Concerto No. 2” (2nd movement) by Rachmaninov, performed by Hauser and the London Symphony Orchestra:
Back in England in 1924, he concluded a harrowing divorce from Ivy. While in Russia, he met Trotsky’s secretary, Evgenia, and now free, married her. He returned to England and with Evgenia, they settled in the Lake District, where to pay off his alimony, Ransome wrote fishing pieces for the Guardian. Then came Swallows And Amazons, and Ransome’s financial problems were over.
Evgenia Shelepina, later to become Ransome’s wife, whom he called Topsy or Dear Old Top.
He and Evgenia had no children of their own. Ivy refused to let him see Tabitha, who bitterly resented her father’s evocations of the idyllic childhood she never had, especially since he gave her mother’s maiden name of Walker to his invented family. In old age, he turned against the Altounyan family, thinking, unfairly, that they were taking the credit for inspiring his books. Ransome had never really ceased to be a child himself; he was protecting the private world of his imagination.
Arthur Ransome died in 1967 and was buried in St. Paul’s Church, in Rusland in the Lake District, where fans still write in the visitors’ book, “Swallows and Amazons Forever!”
Courtesy of ian chapman:
In 1925 he bought an old farmhouse near Cartmel Fell and the area would provide the setting for his classic “Swallows and Amazons” series of novels for children. His novels have been published all over the world, inspiring many tourists to visit the location he described with such affection.
Low Ludderburn in Cartmel Fell, where Ransome lived
Courtesy of Lakeland Arts:
SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS
A pair of red Turkish slippers started it all. In 1928, Arthur Ransome, then 44, spent the summer sailing on Coniston Water in the Lake District. With a friend, Ernest Altounyan, he bought two 14ft dinghies, and with the five Altounyan children, he explored the islands and lakeshore he had known as a child. After summer was over, the children came round to present “Uncle Arthur” with the Turkish slippers as a parting gift for his birthday. In return, Ransome began writing a story for them with the dedication, ‘For the six for whom it was written in exchange for a pair of slippers.’ The story was Swallows And Amazons.
Three of the Altounyan children who inspired Ransome
Dora Collingwood, who married Dr Ernest Altounyan
It was the first in a series of 12 books written over the next 18 years that would enthrall millions of children and make even duffers want to learn how to sail. Taqui Altounyan (the tomboy Nancy Blackett in the books) remembered Ransome as a ruddy-faced man who played penny whistle and had round glasses and a rather long moustache. If he had been no more than an overgrown schoolboy who loved fishing and messing about in boats, he would still be among immortals – but his background was more bloodcurdling than any of his adventure stories.
On the first day, Ransome writes,
“…they had seen the lake like an inland sea. And on the lake they had seen the island. All four of them had been filled at once with the same idea. It was not just an island. It was the island, waiting for them. It was their island. With an island like that within sight, who could be content to live on the mainland and sleep in a bed at night?”
When Mrs. Walker sends a letter informing her husband, an officer in the Royal Navy, of the children’s desire to sail out and camp by themselves on the island called Wild Cat, he responds by a terse but empowering telegram:
“Better drowned than duffers.
If not duffers won’t drown”
That sets the tone for much of what follows in this enchanting book; children left to their devices to manage their days and make their own fun. After piloting the catboat Swallow to the island, the Walker children camp amidst the glorious outdoors. They fish and then cook their supper on an open fire. They gather wild garlic and spinach leaves to go with the freshly cooked fish and wild mushrooms. They sing and they tell stories and laugh around the campfire.
Having made friends with the Blackett sisters, Nancy and Peggy, who live locally and sail a dinghy named Amazon, they engage in friendly competition and join forces against the Blacketts’ unfriendly uncle James, whom they nickname Captain Flint. Adventure ensues when the Captain’s boat is burgled, but all comes right in the end, setting the stage for ten delightful sequels that similarly celebrate the resourcefulness of young people allowed to get their hands dirty as they master real skills – boating, camping, fishing, and the like – in a delightfully imagined but recognisable wonder of the natural world.
The book has had several adaptations, a recent one being the 2016 feature film, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe.
Courtesy of StudiocanalUK:
An extract from Swallows and Amazons:
“Next morning the whole of Swallow’s ship’s company bathed before breakfast. The landing place, with its little beach, on the eastern side of the island, was a good place for bathing. There was sand there, and though there were stones, they were not so sharp as elsewhere. Also, the water did not go deep there very suddenly, and after Susan had walked out a good long way, she said that Roger might bathe too. Roger, who had been waiting on the beach, pranced splashing into the water.
‘You are to swim as well as splash,’ said Mate Susan.
‘Aye, aye, sir,’ said Roger. He crouched in the water with only his head out. That, at least, felt very like swimming. John and Susan swam races, first one way, and then the other. Titty, privately, was being a cormorant. This was not the sort of thing that she could very well talk of to John or Susan until she was sure that it was a success. So she said nothing about it. But she had seen that there were lots of minnows in the shallow water close to the shore. Perhaps there would be bigger ones further out, like the fish the cormorants had been catching yesterday. Titty watched them carefully. The way they did it was to swim quietly and then suddenly to dive under water, humping their backs, keeping their wings close together, and going under head first. She tried, but she found that unless she used her arms, she did not get under water at all.”
“Je crois entendre encore” (Arr. for Violin & Orchestra) from “The Pearl Fishers” by Georges Bizet, performed by Joshua Bell (courtesy of mariamagda57):
Courtesy of JTC Films:
naturetails 
Amazing post! I loved the Enya song as well, so beautiful.
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Thank you, Dorothy, for your wonderful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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An amazing story about an amazing author. Nice Joanna.
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Thank you, Pat, for your lovely comments, which are much appreciated!
Joanna
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Very welcome, Joanna.
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Thank you, Pat.
Joanna
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The only book of his I read was The Coot Club which I loved. Though I don’t recall much about it now, I remember that it stayed in my mind for some time. Maybe if we had not left England I would have read the other books. It seems English children’s authors wrote many tales of heroic friends. I wanted to be like The Famous Five! It was nice to think children could be so resourceful and do good things. Ransome’s books will have delighted many generations of children. Such stories are a treasure. Thank you for reminding me Joanna and for this great presentation.
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Thank you so much, Carolyn, for your wonderfully thoughtful comments, which are very much appreciated!
Joanna
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Dear Joanna Ji 🙏
Your article is not merely a biography of Arthur Ransome, it feels like a journey into the timeless dialogue between the human soul and the wilderness. The way you have woven together his love for nature, freedom, and imagination shows that Ransome was not only a writer of children’s adventures but also a philosopher of the open skies and untamed waters.
What touched me most was how you highlighted the simple yet profound truth that childhood is not left behind with age, it merely hides within us. Through your narrative, Ransome appears as that eternal child who never stopped dreaming of boats, lakes, and distant islands. You remind us that literature, when born from such sincerity, is not just a craft of words but a vessel of the soul carrying courage, wonder, and the love of life itself.
Your reflections also awaken in us a longing for simplicity for nights by the campfire, for laughter shared under the open sky, for adventures that teach self-reliance and freedom. Reading your article, one realizes why Swallows and Amazons continues to enchant generations: because it is not just a story, it is a philosophy of living close to nature, in harmony with imagination.
Truly, your piece has the rare gift of transforming history into a mirror for our inner selves. Thank you for this beautiful offering. 🙏
With warm appreciation,
-Vijay
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Thank you Joanna for sharing this celebrated life of Arthur Ransome. Beautiful tranquil music is a nice complement to your post. Cheers my friend. 🥰💖🎵
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Thank you so much, Vijay, for the wonderfully analytical comments that lifted my spirit and made my day! I love every word of your beautiful review and cannot find words to thank you enough! If you were a professional book critic for any national newspaper, publishers would strive to get your attention, and readers would buy the paper just to read your extraordinary and unique reviews.
Joanna
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Thank you, dear Kym, for your beautiful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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🙏Good Night from India 😊
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Good night from England, Vijay Ji, and thank you again!
Joanna
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A great post Joanna. I recall seeing the movie come by, but had never heard about the book nor the author, Now I am going to have to give it a look. To write a children’s book, you need childlike qualities and it seems he had these to spare. Happy Thursday Joanna. Allan
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Thank you, Allan, for the wonderful comments, which make me happy!
Joanna
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Hi. Thanks for the introduction to this writer. I was totally unfamiliar with him!
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Unfortunately, I had never heard of Arthur Ransome or his work. So, it was very informative and enjoyable to learn about him. I always enjoy reading about an author’s life and thank you for posting about them.
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Thank you, Diana, for your kind comments, which are greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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Your work is a thesis on the topic!!
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Thank you, Indira, for your words of kindness, which are very much appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Neil, for your wonderful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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First of all, my apologies, Joanna, for being late in reading and responding to your post, Joanna—I didn’t receive a notification this time, which is unusual. WordPress often behaves strangely, and I still miss notifications from several regular friends.
Thank you for yet another delightful post on an eminent author, Arthur Ransome, and his classic Swallows and Amazons. The background you shared is fascinating—the adventures of children during their holidays are captivating, especially their encounters that highlight survival skills and the value of friendship. The novel beautifully celebrates childhood independence, outdoor exploration, and the seamless blending of fantasy with everyday life.
I especially liked your observation that Ransome never stopped being a child at heart. He continued to explore nature, imagination, and even relationships with curiosity and boldness. His own life story—his marriages to Ivy and Evgenia, and his connections with Dora and the Altounyans—is indeed adventurous and could well be the subject of another story.
On a personal note, I could relate to Ransome’s early loss of his father, as I experienced the same at a similar age. Such tragedies often instill strength and resilience, shaping the struggle for survival. This is why Swallows and Amazons is not merely a children’s book—it offers rich insights for adults as well. Those who enjoy sailing or simply pottering about in small boats will particularly find it engaging.
I truly appreciate your thoughtful choice of books and authors. Just last week, you wrote about another children’s book with timeless appeal for readers of all ages.
Thank you once again for a post that is both enchanting and meaningful. Emerson’s quote was deeply inspiring, and the images and clippings you included made this post truly unique.
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Thank you, Kaushal, for the wonderful comments, perfectly highlighting the important points of this book: the love of nature, the beautiful outdoor living, the resilience, and quick thinking in adverse situations, being a child at heart even when grown up, and allowing imagination to have an upper hand when seeking an adventurous life. Every word of your review is greatly cherished!
Joanna
PS. I don’t need to apologize for the delay, as I understand that it must be a valid reason for the late reading.
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You are so right, Kaushal, about WP, as it altered my simple PS to you about not needing an apology!
Joanna
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The most delightful part about this post was the the person himself, your introducing him was the perfect opening for a perspective a reader needs before taking up reading someone’s writing. 1884, i mean can we even imagine life of that year, today. And a children’s writer. As I even write this Joanna, my head is taking me back to that period and I think to myself, what could be better work than being in nature only and completely, immersing even deeper than one could.
I appreciate as I always will for the gifts you bring us with these gems of writers, sharing their life and life works. There is indeed much to learn from between these lines and lives, today. A golden period for children then before all kinds of tech inventions sat in. Thank you.
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Thank you, Narayan, for your thoughtful comments, which are very much appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you so much, Joanna, for your kind words! You’re welcome, always!
And yes, wp makes mischief at times.
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Thank you for being kind, Kaushal!
Joanna
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It’s your graciousness, Joanna.
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You are a great man, Kaushal, and that is a fact!
Joanna
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I’m humbled and honoured. You’re so kind, Joanna. Namaste 🙏
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I am only stating the fact, Kaushal! Namaste! Thank you!
Joanna
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🙏💐🙏
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How wonderful, a new author I had not heard of. Thank you, Joanna for this lovely write up. 💕
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Thank you, Monica, for your wonderful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you,Joanna, for yet another beautifully engaging writeup on a very eminent author, Arthur Ransome and his wonderful classic “Swallows and Amazons”. Your of narration of interesting adventures of children are simply captivating,I love reading about lives of great authors & their captivating classics & you have , painstakingly, brought out the best for us to benefit.Thanks for sharing the post,Joanna.Namaste
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Thank you so much, Dhirendra, for your wonderfully thoughtful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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My pleasure 🙏
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Thank you!
Joanna
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Your articles are always fascinating. Thank you, dear Joanna!
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Thank you, dear Filipa, for your wonderful comments, which are very much appreciated!
Joanna
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It’s so good to be here, Joanna! And your articles are honey to my soul.
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Thank you so much, dear Filipa, for your kind words, and it is good to have you back!
Joanna
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What a story, Joanna. It definitely makes me think how much freedom, curiosity, and a bit of risk shape the stories we leave behind.
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Thank you, Ritish, for your wonderfully thoughtful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Joanna these books I didn’t read but of course have seen many TV adaptions etc. Your post is a fabulous overview of the books and Ransome’s life. Sorry for late comments, again! 😊🤗💌
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Thank you, Ashley, for your lovely comments, which are very much appreciated! Never mind when you read my posts, better late than never!
Joanna
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What a wonderful journey through Ransome’s life and work. Thank you for sharing such literary and human richness; reading it is like navigating through history, nature, and dreams.
Hugs, my friend Joanna. 🤗👏💫
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Thank you, Lincol, for your wonderful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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