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Pigeon Post
- Swallows and Amazons Series, Book 6
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
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Pigeon Post
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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 Pigeon Post, the crew's on holiday and they turn their energies to mining for gold, aided by pigeon messengers Homer, Sophocles, and Sappho. The adventurers comb the nearby hills for a fabled lost claim, while being shadowed by a mysterious figure they dub "squashy hat". Undeterred by drought, sudden brushfires, and the continuing presence of Squashy Hat, the young prospectors persevere in their quest - with surprising results.
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.
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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
- 04-11-23
Marvellous
I think this is Arthur Ransome's best. All his tales evoke a bygone age when children were free to follow their imagined adventures. I have read them with modern children and they always have a lot to say about how idyllic it all sounds and how they would love to be able to do things like that.
Gareth Armstrong narrates beautifully, drawing the listener into the story and breathing life into every character. He does not talk down to the child characters. I've spent my life with children and I've met countless Rogers and Susans and Tittys and Nancys and especially Dicks. Gareth has captured their voices perfectly. And the light Lakeland accent he gives to the Amazons is spot on.
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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
- Ruth
- 26-08-20
A Great listening
I am working my way through all Swallows and Amazon books. They are providing me with great escapism in stressful times. Always tell such a excellent story.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jeremy
- 19-08-15
Arthur Ransome Classic
A great story with a happy ending and, unusually, for AR, hardly a boat in sight. The reader gets most of it right but occasionally puts the wrong emphasis in a sentence that grates a bit, but not enough to spoil the overall pleasure.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- sinbad4england
- 14-05-21
enjoyable adventure
Gareth Armstrong narrates the 'Swallows and Amazons' book so well they are a joy ! Every character is brilliant and brought to life by him with not a little praise to Arthur Ransome himself . How I wish he'd of written as prolifically as Enid Blyton and not worried himself with timelines, who cares if John remained twelve or Roger seven etc etc forever. Who cares if there were ten summer holidays ,twenty Easters and fifteen Christmases a year just to get more of these excellent enjoyable adventures.
The Arthur Ransome Trust should gift us some sequels (after vetting the author first) there is so much more waiting for our lovable 'crews' !
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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
- Mrs M E Burstow
- 01-12-18
A good yarn
The story has kept me hooked.
A book of childhood innocence.
Well worth a listen.
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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
- 15-07-23
Really well narrated!
I’m working my way through Arthur Ransome’s stories and this one is sooo entertaining. He writes a remarkably enjoyable story. No namby pamby children- these friends have ups and downs, struggle through difficulties and help each other all the time. There are emotional moments and happenings to make the reader smile! The narrator voices each character exceptionally well as each one has their own personality. When I have listened to these stories on Audible, I buy the hard back book from Amazon and add it to my collection. I love his illustrations- do try to see them!
I have one or two from my distant childhood- I find it touching to read little notes my mother - sadly no longer here- has pencil written in the margins!
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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
- F. Walshaw
- 19-07-15
My favourite Swallows & Amazons story so far
Brilliant couldn't stop listening to it! Exciting, believable and such fun I wanted to be there as well.
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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
- 13-09-22
Pigeon comes through!
I have had this book in paperback since a child, but it doesn’t detract from the experience of having it read to me. Loved revisiting this tale and think it’s a real shame that the whole series has never been filmed! This one would be difficult though as you will see towards the end! Well worth having.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Samantha
- 30-07-15
Childhood favourite
My mother loved these books as a child and I have listened to nearly all on audible. Pigeon Pigeon is my favourite. The plot is very funny and clever. I nearly died of laughing about the armadillo! The only problem is that the reader makes the bad mistake of calling Dorothea Dorothy, which has quite a different feel, though nearly the same name.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Geoff Hall
- 07-12-18
Not my favourite in series...
...but it's still a good adventure yarn set in the good old days. Bit of a slow start with them struggling to get the camp they want and not a lot happening, but it meanders along pleasantly and has little snippets of excitement. kept me listening anyway.
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