Missee Lee is the tenth book in Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series. However, the novel refers to itself as a sequel to the third book, Peter Duck. This suggests that the book is a story created by the main characters, like Peter Duck. However, there is nothing else to support or contradict this theory.
Following their ship (the Wild Cat) sinking, the Swallows (John, Susan, Titty and Roger), Captain Flint and the Amazons (Nancy and Peggy) are separated. Soon, Chang captures them all and sells the Amazons and Swallows to Miss Lee to be killed. However, she keeps them alive in order to teach them forever. This angers Chang and Wu, who hatch a plot to get them killed. With the Dragon Festival approaching, Miss Lee creates a plan to save her students. Will they save Captain Flint? Will they escape?
One of the funniest characters is Roger’s monkey, Gibber. This curious animal is constantly copying others, resulting in the group being captured and Miss Lee’s counsellor getting angry. However, the worst result of this innocent monkey’s copying is the Wild Cat going up in flames: while the crew are changing oil, Gibber imitates Captain Flint smoking and drops the burning cigar into the oil tank.
The main theme is sacrifice. Miss Lee’s father had united the three islands and guided them into a more peaceful life with less piracy. When her father grew old, Miss Lee returned from Cambridge to ensure the survival of what he had built. By doing this, she sacrificed her desired life of study, as a student and teacher. At the end of the book, Miss Lee stays back to protect the islands from Chang, giving up Cambridge once again to protect what her father built.
Missee Lee takes place on a small group of islands (which appear fictional) off the coast of China.() Similar to all previous books in the series, this book takes place in the author’s present and our past. This is clear due to the use of dialect to show that those living on the island do not speak much English. While this technique was perfectly acceptable in the past, it could now be seen as offensive.
Aged 11 or older? Seeking a new classic adventure? This book could be for you!