But the one scene that makes the book absolutely magnificent is when Biggles and his friends have been captured by good old Erich, who has threatened to start killing people if Biggles doesn't tell him where the papers are:
Biggles sat on one of the beds. "It looks as if we're in a jam," he announced.
"You're telling us!" muttered Algy.
...
"What are we going to do?"
"Obviously, I'm going to show von Stalhein where the papers are hidden."
"What?" There was a chorus of dissent.
"But don't be silly," argued Biggles. "You heard what von Stalhein said about bumping you off at eight o'clock? He'll do it too, as sure as fate, unless I tell him what he wants to know."
"Well, let him," declared Algy desperately.
--Biggles Sees It Through
Oh, Algy, Algy, Algy. I do believe that you would have willingly given your life to keep those papers safe, just as you would have given your life for any one of your friends if it would keep them out of danger. You are the most fantastic person I've ever met.
*fangirl moment*
Presumably that's 11 out of 10, Soppy? I thought you might enjoy it. It's right up there with Swastika as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDeleteIt is a brilliant book and one of my topmost favourites. So many memorable moments, like Ginger trying to hook up (and keep) the papers with his plane. And Biggles staggering up from being knocked out, saying that while he is conscious he can fly :-)
ReplyDeletewhat about the tobogganning and Biggles saying he'd take that up when he was too old to fly? As if!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right, FB - that is a fantastic description of a fantastic ride.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I meant to say earlier, interesting that Biggles was prepared to lose some valuable documents (presumably they were as they went to a lot of trouble to try and get them back to Raymond) rather than see Algy and Ginger killed.
Or maybe he always had a Plan (unlike in a certain other fic on this blog).
'Sees it Through' has some of the best bits in it in the series.
ReplyDeleteI love the bit where Algy lands his plane on top of the trees, and then Ginger tries to shake it back down again whilst singing 'Rock-a-by-baby'. Priceless.
Or the bit where Algy realises they've left Biggles' jacket behind but won't immediately admit it: 'A strange look came into his eyes..."Er - Ginger, where did you put Biggles' jacket?" *splutter*
Welcome to Devious Algy... : )
In fact its a thoroughly good book all the way through, from 'Roll out the Barrel' onwards.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the one where von Stalhein agrees to accept their heads instead of the whole of their dead bodies? Gruesome - I think WEJ must have been in a light-hearted mood when he wrote it.
I don't really understand the Roll out the Barrel bit. Was it customary to sing when shooting down enemy aircraft? wej says that Ginger's lips pursed up to follow the catchy tune (so Biggles' singing can't have been that bad), and afterwards Biggles seems positively happy at having shot down another plane--so different from WWI Biggles who was so sensitive and easily affected by death.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Algy meant to put Ginger in it when he asked for the jacket. Remember that Algy had been flying the plane and looking after his two patients and worrying about Biggles' concussion. Small wonder that he didn't bother about a jacket.
Regards the papers, I think that no matter how valuable they were Biggles or Algy would have willingly given them up for the other. There is one bit in the book where Biggles would rather burn the papers than have them fall into the wrong hands.
I loved the bear bit in the book, although I don't understand why Biggles didn't do a Biggles Goes To School and trot out his bear-charming magic. Had he forgotten that he knew how to do that? Was he not in the mood? Had no stale buns?
I DO have a PLAN for my fic.
I just don't know what it is yet.