Coots in the North facts for kids
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| Author | Arthur Ransome |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Swallows and Amazons |
| Genre | Adventure, Children's Novels |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
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Publication date
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1988 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-224-02605-4 (pb) |
| OCLC | 18625905 |
| Preceded by | Great Northern? |
Coots in the North is an exciting, unfinished adventure story by the famous author Arthur Ransome. It's part of his beloved Swallows and Amazons books. This special book was put together and published in 1988 by Ransome's biographer, Hugh Brogan.
The story begins in the Broads, a beautiful area with rivers and lakes. But soon, the characters travel to the Lake District, where the Swallows, Amazons, and Ds usually have their adventures.
Contents
What Happens in the Story?
The Death and Glories' Adventure
The story follows a group of children known as the Death and Glories. They are feeling a bit bored because their usual "salvage" business on the Broads isn't doing well. One day, they spot a boat being loaded onto a truck. This boat is heading to the "Lake in the North." This is the same lake where the Swallows, Amazons, and Ds have their exciting adventures!
Joe, one of the Death and Glories, decides they should secretly hitch a ride. He doesn't even tell Bill or Pete, his friends, about his plan. They want to see this famous lake for themselves.
Lost in the Lake District
The Death and Glories manage to get on the truck. But they get left behind at a stop near the Lake District. They make their way to the lake, only to find the truck has already left. Now they are stuck far from home in Norfolk with no way to get back!
Luckily, they meet the owner of the boat they hitched a ride on. He helps them find the Ds, another group of Ransome's characters.
Meeting the Famous Sailors
Soon, the Death and Glories meet the Swallows, Amazons, and Ds. They are all out sailing on the lake. During their meeting, Nancy's boat suddenly capsizes! The Death and Glories quickly try to rescue her.
This is where the story, as published, suddenly ends.
Why the Story is Unfinished
Arthur Ransome had ideas for how the story might continue. He even thought about how the Death and Glories could get home. One idea was that they might help Captain Flint when his houseboat's anchor chain breaks in a storm. If they helped, Captain Flint might pay for their trip home and give them a reward.
However, Ransome never finished writing the book. He found it hard to figure out a good plot and a way for the children to return home without their parents having to pay.
In 2011, a group called the Arthur Ransome Society held a competition. They asked people to suggest how the book could be finished. But as of 2014, no one has been chosen to complete the story.
Other Stories in This Book
The book Coots in the North also includes other writings by Arthur Ransome. These are shorter pieces that Hugh Brogan found and published with the unfinished novel.
- "The River Comes First" and "The Cloudburst" are two stories.
- "The Unofficial Side" is a unique story. It's the only one Ransome wrote that touches on the Russian Revolution. It's told by a character named Hurst, who works on a small private yacht.
- "Two Shorts and a Long" also features Hurst and is set on the same yacht.
- "The Shepherd’s Pipe" was never published before this book.
- "Ankou" is another story.
