Swallows and Armenians
by Babayan, Karen
pub. by Wild Pansy Press, UK - 2019     - - isbn 978-1-900687-78-2 (2nd revised Edition)
- Contents p. 7 -- Forward p.11-13 -- Preface p. 15-19 - - Glossary (terms Armenian/English) p.157-159 - - Authors Notes p.161-179 - - Notes p. 179-182 - - Lists of works (pictures) p. 183 - - Bibliography p. 185 - - Acknowledgements p. 187-190 - - about the author p.193 - - 193 pages total
This is an important book if one is to better understand Artur Ransomes relationship with the British/Armenian family who were the basis for the first of his Swallows and Amazons books series. It attempts to fill in gaps in knowledge about the persons and more fully describe the family of Ernest Altounyan and Dora (Collingwood) Altounyan and their life in Aleppo, Syria as well as their time in the Lake District in England.
It should be noted that when he was young, and before his first disasterous marriage to Ivy, Ransome proposed to Dora Collingwood, and she turned him down. That and the warm relationship Ransome had with the whole Collingwood family (Dora, her siblings and parents) complicates the relationship with Ernest Altounyan and Dora (Collingwood) Altounyan family.
Bababan stresses the Armenian background of the Altounyan family and enlightens us as to how it is to be Armenian and English. She also includes a fair amount on the history of the Armenian people and their sad history under ther Turks.
She also spent considerable time with some of the Altounyan family and no doubt became familiar with their family stories and how they personally felt. Her story describing Arthur and Evangenia visiting Aleppo and how that visit turned out gives a better insight into what family life for the children was like, and how it all went bad for Ransome and Ernest.
The book has 5 chapters which are historical fiction, in that what is known is put into a story which will stand on its own with dialog. They are revealing and interesting. Given the fact that Babayan spent significant time with the family, these stories should not be considered straight fiction. They are more of a way to conveniently tell the story of - the Swallows -.
This is a very interesting book for any who wishes to know more about the underpinnings of the Swallows and Amazons backstory. And about Armenian history. I recommend it. It is a good read.
~2021-03-25~

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