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  • Published: 1 June 2009
  • ISBN: 9781405697163
  • Imprint: BBC DL
  • Format: Audio Download
  • Length: 2 hr 51 min
  • Narrator: Martin Jarvis
Categories:

Just William's Luck




Written in 1948 and made into a popular film the same year, Just William's Luck is the only novel Richmal Crompton wrote featuring her famous hero. The action takes place throughout one extraordinary day in William's life. It begins harmlessly enough in the old barn and soon develops into a riotous comedy-thriller as the invincible schoolboy hatches a plot to marry off the elder brothers of The Outlaws.

In this full-length Just William novel, William and the Outlaws decide to form the Knights of the Square Table, 'rightin' wrongs' for a minor fee ('Small wrongs: sixpence. Big wrongs: one shillin'.) In their quest to earn enough money to become tramps, they stop at no amount of do-gooding, embarking on a plan to marry off their older brothers. William becomes a veritable Don Juan as he woos a visiting film star for his brother (much to the surprise and annoyance of his brother's girlfriend.) Soon the gang have planned a midnight haunting to scare off old monkey face from the big house on the hill - after all, where else will they find a home for the happy young couple? Martin Jarvis portrays the whole gang in this riotous comedy that leaves William teetering on the brink of disaster and success... 'Martin Jarvis's recording of Richmal Crompton's Just William stories are works of genius' - Independent.

Musical Theme: Won't You Be My Ginger? composed and performed by Richard Dworsky (piano) (c) 1995 Inner Vista Music (BMI)

  • Published: 1 June 2009
  • ISBN: 9781405697163
  • Imprint: BBC DL
  • Format: Audio Download
  • Length: 2 hr 51 min
  • Narrator: Martin Jarvis
Categories:

About the author

Richmal Crompton

Richmal Crompton was born in Bury, Lancashire, in 1890. She was educated at St. Elphin's School and studied Classics at Royal Holloway College before becoming a schoolmistress. However, her teaching career was cut short by an attack of polio in 1923, which confined her to a wheelchair. She became a full-time author, and wrote over 40 books for adults, but she is best known for her hugely popular Just William books. William first appeared in 1919 in a short story for Home Magazine. The first collection featuring him was published in 1922, and he went on to star in 38 further books (the final one, William the Lawless, was published posthumously in 1970). They have sold over 12 million copies in the UK alone, been translated into nine languages and remain enduringly popular today.

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