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  • Winter Holiday

  • Swallows and Amazons Series, Book 4
  • By: Arthur Ransome
  • Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
  • Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (39 ratings)

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Winter Holiday cover art

Winter Holiday

By: Arthur Ransome
Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
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Publisher's 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. The fourth book in Arthur Ransome's classic series, Winter Holiday takes intrepid explorers John, Susan, Titty and Roger Walker, and fearsome Amazon pirates Nancy and Peggy Blackett to the North Pole. Joined by budding novelist Dorethes Callum and her scientist brother Dick, the children plan an ‘Arctic’ expedition. But unforeseen events separate the travellers and disaster nearly strikes in the exciting climax of their race to the Pole.

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.

©2013 Arthur Ransome (P)2013 Audible Ltd

Critic Reviews

“All the thrills of Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe" ( Daily Telegraph)
“Absolutely fantastic” ( Daily Express)

What listeners say about Winter Holiday

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Winter Holiday

I love all of these books amazing Sirius I love this type of book and I love the different voices

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Charming!

An enjoyable tale of bold, self-reliant kids making their own adventures. Wonderfully told too - I love it when the narrators do all the voices!

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English winter recall

Perfect story laid out in detail for the imagination to work on fulltime. Arthur Ransome magic skillfully brought to life by a wonderfull narrator. Winter just as I remember but such adventure.

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The best sort of nostalgia

This is time travel & travel over the miles to a childhood I wish I had had.
Ransom has created an innocent world using his childhood experiences and I love to go there to the Lake country which, though born in England I never got to see. His love of the place shines through in the sounds, sights, smells and people.
His best books are those like this one where everything could have happened.

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A childrens tale yes but no less enjoyed by adults

A completely timeless tale of the Swallows and Amazons protagonists + 2 in a deep and magical winter with a frozen lake for skating and sledding.

Arthur Ransome's story is as innocent and fresh as it was 85 years ago

Excellent narration

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.