I found my copy of this in a used book or junk store, already battered and sans jacket (if it ever had one), and from that moment, its days of lingering alone and forgotten in a bin were over. One of my favorites in the series. ( )

Growing up the Swallows and Amazons series by Arthur Ransome was one of my favorite series. When I decided to re-read it as an adult I was worried that it would not stand the test of time. I was delighted to find that in general found it just as enjoyable now as I did as a child. The characters, writing style and adventures are great and I truly enjoyed the series. ( )

John, Zuzana, Titty a Roger a s nimi poprvé Bridget Walkerovi se společně s rodiči připravují na velkou výzkumnou prázdninovou výpravu do kraje tajemných souostroví oblasti, kterou nazývají Záhadné vody.

I wonder why I like Ransome's novels so much. Is it because, as a child, I had no chance whatsoever to experience myself any adventure even remotely approaching anything these children are experiencing? Or because even when the children are occasionally comic, the humour is never condescending? Anyway, for a quinquagenarian this is definitely escapist literature ... but of the best sort. ( )

This is one of the latest Swallows and Amazons books in terms of the overall chronology of the series. It immediately follows We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea, which I rather dislike (too much seasickness), By this time the Swallows are older, John and Susan are old enough to be left in charge of the crew on a tidal island off the English coast. Roger the ship's boy is now rated an able seaman, and the youngest child, Bridget, hitherto too young to go along on the adventures, is included for the first time. They are exploring a set of tidal islands and are joined by the Amazons while encountering a local group of children, the Eels, who see themselves as a primitive tribe, conveniently serving as opponents for the Swallows" explorers." I suppose a contemporary critic might see the game as too imperialist, but in the context of the time it is harmless. One bit I remember is when Bridget is being a "sacrifice" and the others are afraid she is upset and stop the game, but she actually wants to go on playing. ( )