Having just reread Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons for the umpteenth time (I am 81!), and noticed that in a new film based on the book a principal character, Titty, has had her name changed to Tatty for political correctness, I worry about what other features of the book may be changed, or omitted for similar reasons.
For instance in Chapter 9 the Amazon Pirates use crossbows to overwhelm the Swallow explorers in what would now be called a threatening assault.
In Chapter 13 the Swallows visit charcoal burners working on the fell and are invited into the charcoal burners’ wigwam. Surely not now permissible without first having a criminal records check.
Dick White (via email)
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