William the Conqueror

Just William #6

by Richmal Crompton

Inspired by the tales of Robin Hood, the Outlaws have come up with a new scheme for redistributing the treasures of the rich to the very poor. But this inevitably leads William into battle with the grown-up world, with typically disastrous consequences.

Genres: Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Short Stories, Classics, Comedy, Audiobook

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

Richmal Crompton Lamburn was initially trained as a schoolmistress but later became a popular English writer, best known for her Just William series of books, humorous short stories, and to a lesser extent adult fiction books.

Crompton's fiction centres around family and social life, dwelling on the constraints that they place on individuals while also nurturing them. This is best seen in her depiction of children as puzzled onlookers of society's ways. Nevertheless, the children, particularly William and his Outlaws, almost always emerge triumphant.

Reviews

[Mythlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine collection, though the tiresome Violet Elizabeth makes a few appearances early on.

One highlight is a story about William's short-lived and amusingly off-base religious mania – the Outlaws' banner says "Down with Idyls" – which is beautifully punctured twice, independently and with private amusement, by two clear-eyed men.

At the core of the William stories is the eternal conflict between adults and children. Because adults are the powerful ones, children must sometimes conform (or appear to conform) to adult rules – or even simulate acceptance of adult values – for their own ends. (Those ends may variously include sweets, spending money, avoidance of punishment, etc.) But Compton isn't fooled; children have a fundamentally different value system, and their perceptions and motivations are likewise very different from what the more naïvely nostalgic grownups expect.

At one point, a rival group of boys deliberately wrecks William's party the week before Christmas, in such a spectacular manner that

Even the adult relations of the Outlaws had resented this outrage. They had told the Outlaws that little gentlemen would regard the matter as beneath contempt. The Outlaws, however, did not regard the matter as beneath contempt. They were not out to prove themselves little gentlemen. They were out for revenge.

The collection ends on an unexpectedly optimistic note, with glimmers of hope for redemption of a group that Crompton has otherwise treated very unsympathetically.

[Anthony Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit more of a mixed bag than some of the others, but the best bits are still brilliant.

[Jayal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfort reading as always. The allure remains undimmed

[Mariangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories in which William's enemy Huber Lane and his band spoil William's party, and the follow-up story where the Outlaws take their revenge during Huber's party, since they do not follow the usual pattern of William's stories.

[Martyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"William the Conqueror" by Richmal Crompton is a masterclass in childhood shenanigans, where our hero William Brown turns everyday situations into uproarious adventures. Imagine acquiring a mountain of soot in "Enter the Sweep" and then envision the hilarity of a waxwork show mix-up in "A Birthday Treat." In "William Leads a Better Life," William tries to emulate St. Francis, with predictably chaotic results. And then there's "William and the Lost Tourist," where our protagonist is hilariously mistaken for Shakespeare's kin. Each story is a laugh-out-loud escapade, brilliantly showcasing the innocent yet cunning mind of William.

[Farseer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic William Brown stories. William is the kind of boy that other boys will like and adults will dislike. His adventures take us back to the fantasy and "wildness" of childhood. The stories in this book were quite good. Among my favorites were the ones involving the fights between the Outlaws and the repellent Hubert Lane and his friends.

[Joaquin del Villar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Otra entrega de las Aventuras de Guillermo, en ésta, el nexo en la mayoría de los relatos es la pugna entre los "Proscritos" y los seguidores de Huberto Lane, que tiene un brillante colofón en la batalla final entre unos y otros en el barro (momento épico del libro) en el relato La venganza es dulce . Otras historias a destacar son: El cazador de leopardos que tiene un momento a lo P.G. Wodehouse con Mr. Falkner subido en un tejado y armado de una escopeta, rodeado de leopardos. El otro, sin duda el mejor del libro es Guillermo, el filántropo con la niña Violeta Isabel y sus padres, los Bott. Un final impresionante.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audio-book was a lot of fun, the narrator was excellent and the stories were innocent and reminds one of a more innocent time while being entertaining and lots of fun. I recommend this book for children and the young at heart

[Lydia Mroczynska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This childhood favourite of mine has now also become an adult favourite. With never a dull moment and the ability to always bring us around to William's side in every situation is really Crompton's genius.

A Birthday Treat being one of my favourite William stories of all time.

[Grace Sargeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

[Janani K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny set of stories.

[Tom Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic!

[Richard Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love re-reading these stories after many years!

[MeryJiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hace mucho que lo leí y me gustó. No muchísimo pero me gustó.

[Jake Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very positive feelings about this book, but perhaps that's mainly in comparison to the utter garbage I've been reading recently. As before, I most enjoyed William's boyhood escapades with the Outlaws, particularly their half-hearted attempt to become saints.

[Anindita Satpathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not fully appreciate the humour, which was so intrinsically British and stitch-in-the-side causing, when I read it as a kid. But, I kept remembering bits of it over the years and giggling to myself. The most abiding sentiment is of when the four friends dressed up as clergymen and one of them chooses to call himself sister so-and-so instead of brother. William, a little jealous of not having hit upon that idea says 'swank, always trying to be different from other people'. Many times I have been treated to this comment by the younger sister upon a manifestation of my obstinacy typical of a middle child, and it's as funny every time I hear it. I remember that particular boy standing proud, refusing to be pressured by public opinion. I lay claim to no such noble emotion, but its still hilarious. Then of course there's Violet Elizabeth Bott, who's 'thix' years old and who, even for William, is a handful. There is the usual ensuing of utter chaos and William emerging grubby at the end of it all. They invite themselves to an arch rival's party and much to the dismay of the mild host, polish off the cakes, pastries and sweet rolls, leaving the wholesome sandwiches and savouries untouched. It does not end well, but they had a lovely dinner and you really can't ask for much more than that.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent collection of 'Just William' stories. Many of the stories had me laughing out loud, and while the language might be antiquitated to modern readers, Crompton's description made me feel as if I were involved in William and the Outlaws adventures myself.

My favourite stories included

'The Leopard Hunter'
'William and the Lost Tourist'
'The Midnight Adventure of Miss Montagu'
'William the Bold Crusader'
'William Starts The Holidays'

[Shinichi Kudo · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm currently reading this but till now its too too good!!!!! alot of humor is stuffed inside this book. a must read for any kid who loves comedy

[Desertisland]

Bottie Botts

[Thomas A Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was given this book as a child, this character is hard to hate...