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The Picts & the Martyrs
- Swallows and Amazons Series, Book 11
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
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The Picts & the Martyrs
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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 twelve 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. Jibbooms and bobstays!
Those two Blackett sisters are back at it again, and Nancy is right there in the thick of it. Their mother (doubtless suffering from exhaustion) has gone off sailing in the North Sea with Captain Flint on a rest cure, but she has allowed her two daughters to stay a fortnight at Beckfoot on the lakeshore with their trusty cook. She's also permitted their two old friends, Dick and Dorothea Callum, to come up for a visit. But when their redoubtable Great Aunt (aka G. A.) hears of their abandonment, she's horrified and off on the next train. 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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What listeners say about The Picts & the Martyrs
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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
- amos
- 28-07-22
Briliant
It’s a great book. The narrator is phenomenal especially his Great Aunt, who unfortunately appears a lot only near the end. She is quite a character brought to life brilliantly by the narrator.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs M E Burstow
- 20-02-19
A hidden gem of a story
Not as long as other Arthur Ransom books, but wonderful characterisation. Wonderfully comic charactet in Great Aunt Maria. Love how Nancy Blacket has debeloped as a character.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Katie Jane
- 06-05-21
One of the best
Kept my attention from start to finish. Great storyline, great narration and great fun. True Swallows and Amazon's stuff.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- nought
- 19-07-23
Good Adventure
As AlwAys another great yarn , nice gentle pace with a lot of fun as usual well read much enjoyed
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 12-08-19
Better and better
It was circa 1958 when I first read this book - along with all of the others in the series. Having listened to them again now I think this is the best of the lot. I enjoyed it not only because of happy memories of childhood, but mainly because its a great read! The GA lives up to her reputation ans Nancy continues to live life dangerously. Marvellous escapism.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ruth
- 02-11-20
Another great story
Great escapism from the trails of the current Virus situation. I love these stories even although I know them so very well
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 19-08-19
Brilliant
Classic story excellently narrated, a pleasure to listen to, and plenty more in the series
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 21-05-23
First class
I have enjoyed Swallows and Amazons stories for 60 years and it’s delightful to listen to Gareth Armstrong’s reading of the stories. All the voices are as I imagined them to be and I feel that he is enjoying the stories too.
Are there any more audio books narrated by him?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Louise
- 05-12-15
a classic children's story from the thirties
If you could sum up The Picts & the Martyrs in three words, what would they be?
old fashioned fun
What other book might you compare The Picts & the Martyrs to, and why?
other books in the series have some of the same characters
Have you listened to any of Gareth Armstrong’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I haven't listened to any others
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I know this book very well having read it as a child, and have returned to it and enjoyed it again. It is an old fashioned story about children having adventures and feels like a by gone era. Definitely not a story with contemporary issues and as such is a relaxing read!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- DF
- 14-06-17
What a book
This is a truly amazing book for children and it is evidently head,shoulders and body above the rest.
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