The Big Six Audiobook By Arthur Ransome cover art

The Big Six

Swallows and Amazons Series

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The Big Six

By: Arthur Ransome
Narrated by: Alison Larkin
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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 (more or less) live full-time 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.

Of course, this book, like all Ransome titles, is about a lot more than clever detective work; it has the smell of water and tarred rope, the sound of birds, and the plight of children left to their own devices and coping with everything from catching monster pike to trapping midnight eels.

(All 12 novels in the Swallows and Amazons series have been brought to life in the U.S. in print by David R. Godine, Publisher.)

Listen to more in the Swallows and Amazons series.©2000 Arthur Ransome (P)2009 Audible, Inc. Action & Adventure History & Culture Literature & Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Thrillers & Suspense Funny Feel-Good

Critic reviews

"There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun which is delightful and stimulating." (Times Literary Supplement)
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This is one of our very favorite Swallows books!! A good old fashioned mystery, with sailing - what could be better?

One of the Best

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Splendid continuation of the Swallows and Amazons. Excellent examination of the moral questions of guilt and innocence for young boys falsely accused of mischief based on circumstantial evidence . The Death and Glory Lads are forced to display personal honor, honesty and integrity in the face of overwhelming condemnations by their small close knit community. Superb.

Splendid continuation of the Swallows and Amazons

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This was one of the best books by Arthur Ransome and Alison Larkin is wonderful like always. Definitely a good read for anyone.

One of Arthur Ransome’s best

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The book’s storyline was amazing, and I was always excited to read more. Allison does a very good job at reading the book. It was 99.8% amazing,
Something to note: since this book was written about people in the 1930s, it should be taken into account that some of the terms they use would be unacceptable in society today. Through reading it I only heard one, the N word, but besides that, I don’t think there were other foul words.
It is a very exciting book, especially for me who does not enjoy intensity. I adore this series, and I hope that you will enjoy these novels as much as I have.

Big Six Review

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Although I have enjoyed many aspects of this series, particularly the wonderful performance by Allison Larkin, I would advise parents to consider having a conversation with children about the evidence that colonialism and classism were deeply entrenched in the society of the author and his readers. In this particular book I was shocked and dismayed to hear the N-word in chapter 31. This meant that I had an important and unexpected conversation with my children that I might not have had until they were older.

Parental conversation advised

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Generally enjoyed the book, kids fight against wrongful accusation by collecting evidence. But Alison Larkin’s narration includes clear n-words when the characters are developing a black and white print and one of the boys sees figures in a negative (in observing reversed image). There’s absolutely no reason this word needed to be used and I’m sad it wasn’t edited.

N-word a disappointment to say least

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