Algy Quote of the Week

Bombing a flowerbed? Yes, it’s the kind of thing only our Algy would do. “The Battle of Flowers” is a typical Algy story, and one of the rare WWI short stories that didn’t get recycled for Spitfire Parade (although you can find loose imitations of pilots going fighting mad after their goldfish or pet pig have been shot).

My favorite bit is just at the end, where the Biggles and Algy dialogue is simply brilliant:
 “Yes, and I’ve made a salad of their lettuce-patch,” added Algy triumphantly.
“But why? What have the lettuces done to you?”
“Done to me? Haven’t you seen what that swine did to my sunflowers last night?”
---"The Battle of Flowers", Biggles, Pioneer Air Fighter

 If only we could have had more of these moments in the later books, instead of Algy getting left in the office, or to stay with the plane…
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2 comments

  1. ShirleyJayNovember 20, 2012 at 5:14 PM

    I think these early stories of WW1 are the best way to introduce anyone to the books. Johns was writing about people and incidents of which he had first-hand experience. His ability to show character through dialogue is also important here.

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  2. SopwithNovember 20, 2012 at 11:30 PM

    They are quite quick and light-hearted reads, too, aren't they? There aren't that many sad WWI stories. Most of them end with Biggles having done what he wanted to do, and enjoying a rest in the mess.

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Maira Gall