Re-reading childhood favourites...

[lizbee]

I have just finished re-reading The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, and I've just begun Black Hearts in Battersea. As I re-read Aiken's Hanover novels, I find myself with just one question:

How is it possible that the BBC hasn't made a series of family-friendly TV movies based on these novels? HOW, I ASK YOU? Starring Daniel Radcliffe as Simon and Billie Piper* as Dido Twite, with cameos by every actor in England as various other characters.

Admit it. Now you're wondering the same thing. MATT SMITH CAN PLAY DOCTOR FIELD. ADMIT IT, THIS IS THE BEST IDEA I'VE EVER HAD!

* Well, yes. Who else?

Comments

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

I have been typing my comments through a haze of the oppressed's despairing tears. Or it could be early spring allergies, I'm not certain which.

THOSE ARE THE TEARS OF OPPRESSION! THEY TASTE LIKE LEMONS AND SOUR YOGHURT!

NOW I SHALL PUT ON "BECAUSE WE WANT TO" AND DANCE!

I always felt a bit wrong for shipping Bonnie/Sylvia since they're cousins and all, but really, how can you not?

Likewise, but my vague reading extensive research tells me that no one would have thought twice about it back then, on account of lesbians not existing and all.

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

"NOW I SHALL PUT ON "BECAUSE WE WANT TO" AND DANCE!"

OH GOD OF ISRAEL WHY WHY WHY *dives out nearest window, realizes impact of gesture somewhat blunted by being on first floor, shakes dirty half-melted snow and dead twigs from hair and slinks back inside*

"Likewise, but my vague reading extensive research tells me that no one would have thought twice about it back then, on account of lesbians not existing and all."

If Joan Aiken didn't want us to ship them, she would never have made one of them a bold, enterprising, fiercely protective tomboy with a trigger temper and crack shooting aim, and the other a gentle, delicate, ladylike little orphan in need of emotional succor. She was totally askin' for it.

[marymac.livejournal.com]

She does have a few elderly little old ladies in pairs in her stories...
And all of her little old ladies are awesome.

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

I love her old ladies. And I don't usually gravitate toward tomboy characters, but I love Dido.

[marymac.livejournal.com]

I think possibly the only person in that timeline of books that I love more is Arabis. And that's nearly 100% due to her having a hawk.

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

I will always be very grateful to the unnamed, distraught little girl who wrote to JA after reading Black Hearts in Battersea and begged her not to kill Dido off.

[marymac.livejournal.com]

She was going to kill her off? Oh my.
Wonderful distraught little girl, definitely!

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

I saw her mention it in an interview ages back: She'd definitely meant Dido to have drowned, then she got the letter and began having second thoughts. Huzzah. :-)

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

If Joan Aiken didn't want us to ship them, she wouldn't have had Bonnie complaining that she was accustomed to boys' clothes by the end.

SO THERE.

Finally, and in conclusion:

(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v85/lizbee/?action=view&current=normal_caps-000157.jpg)

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

You are so mean. You know Mickey Mouse gives me hives and throat-swelling.

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v85/lizbee/?action=view&current=PDVD_159.jpg)

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

There, see? Even Billie herself frowns upon your shenanigans.

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

I really must learn to be more sympathetic to those with strong allergies to animated mouse characters.

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

My neck's gone all big and EVEN BILLIE BLAMES YOU.