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humbird's review
4.0
This is one of my favorites--perhaps even my favorite so far. No Amazons--just Swallows, and a new friend, and an unexpected adventure that ended up in unintentionally broken promises. But they really did do the best they could, and all ends well despite a few near scrapes.
jonathanpalfrey's review against another edition
4.0
After a gentle start (there are seven chapters of preparation before anything out of the ordinary happens), this turns into an exciting story, in which four children find themselves unintentionally sailing a yacht across the North Sea, at night and in bad weather.
There are no baddies in this story: its heroes battle against the elements and their own limitations. But it's quite an epic struggle in which they're at real risk of death.
Readers should be warned that this is a sea story written by a sailing enthusiast: non-sailors may find that the blow-by-blow account tells them more than they wanted to know about sailing.
Also note before reading that it dates from 1937, so it's somewhat old-fashioned in general. The world before the Second World War was significantly different from the world we know now.
A story like this couldn't plausibly be set in modern times, because at least two of the children would have mobile phones, which would wreck the whole plot.
There are no baddies in this story: its heroes battle against the elements and their own limitations. But it's quite an epic struggle in which they're at real risk of death.
Readers should be warned that this is a sea story written by a sailing enthusiast: non-sailors may find that the blow-by-blow account tells them more than they wanted to know about sailing.
Also note before reading that it dates from 1937, so it's somewhat old-fashioned in general. The world before the Second World War was significantly different from the world we know now.
A story like this couldn't plausibly be set in modern times, because at least two of the children would have mobile phones, which would wreck the whole plot.
aliteubner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
doxamully's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sophielindridge's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
sgunther's review
4.0
Some years ago, before she passed away, I asked my grandmother what her favorite book was, and—in spite of the abundance of illustrious novels lining her shelves—her answer was We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea. So I skipped the first six novels in the series (sorry!) and read it. Probably my grandmother remembered reading it as a child; as I am no longer in that target age range, I did not quite fall in love with it. But (once you get around all the nautical jargon) it is sweet and fun.
mold_munchr's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I grew up on the Swallows and Amazon's series, and im sure the nostalgia is a big reason why i still love them. Reading them now as an adult I can definitely recognize that it is a product of its times and there is racism, romanticization of colonization, and racial slurs at times in this book. For sailing knowledge and accuracy it's spot on, but definitely one of those books you should read with a critical lens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Minor: Racism and Colonisation
treereader's review against another edition
4.0
After spending three days with my family on a yacht of very similar size to Goblin, I felt obliged to re-read this. And I think it makes a difference knowing exactly what's happening when he writes stuff like 'loosen the topping lift'.
rlangemann's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobook fall 2019/winter 2020. One of the most perfect children’s novels ever.
hutyluty's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book at least 10 times and every single time I end up reading the whole thing in one go.
Now I'm older I can recognise how perfectly paced this book is, as well as how close it skirts the line between children's adventure novel and horror. The scene where the anchor starts dragging and they're drifting through the fog is the single most terrifying thing I've ever read: the confusion, panic and terror are palpable, and I love the kid's reactions. John tries to stay stoic, Roger doesn't understand what's happening while Susan has a near breakdown.
The tension doesn't really let up for the next 200 pages, with one frightening episode after another, with each of the kids getting their turn in the spotlight. Afterwards, you realise how unlikely everything was, but at the time each event feels like a natural follow-up to the last, all culminating in a lovely, well-earned happy ending.
Now I'm older I can recognise how perfectly paced this book is, as well as how close it skirts the line between children's adventure novel and horror. The scene where the anchor starts dragging and they're drifting through the fog is the single most terrifying thing I've ever read: the confusion, panic and terror are palpable, and I love the kid's reactions. John tries to stay stoic, Roger doesn't understand what's happening while Susan has a near breakdown.
The tension doesn't really let up for the next 200 pages, with one frightening episode after another, with each of the kids getting their turn in the spotlight. Afterwards, you realise how unlikely everything was, but at the time each event feels like a natural follow-up to the last, all culminating in a lovely, well-earned happy ending.