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Just William #15
William The Rebel
William
239 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1933
91 people want to read
About the author
Richmal Crompton
468 books172 followersRichmal 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 1, 2019
William gets into more scrapes with his pals, the Outlaws. This time he manages to interfere in brother Robert's love life, accompany his father on a fishing holiday and cause mayhem in his local village.
August 16, 2024
William the Rebel is the fifteenth glorious addition to the interminable saga of the boy who seems destined to never mature beyond his eternal age of 11. One might expect that by this point in the series, the ideas would be growing as stale as the sandwiches in William's school bag, but no, Richmal Crompton continues to breathe life into her little anarchist with a surprising array of misadventures.
In this collection, William remains resolutely himself: a force of nature, a perpetual thorn in the side of authority, and a prime example of why some children should never be left unattended. The title, William the Rebel, conjures images of grand insurrections and societal upheaval, but this is William we’re talking about. His rebellions are less about toppling governments and more about causing gentle mayhem in his village, much to the exasperation of the adults around him.
Across these twelve stories, William's "rebellious" spirit leads him into various predicaments—ranging from encounters with suspected criminals to inadvertently rescuing people who may or may not need rescuing. His brand of rebellion often involves elaborate plans with the Outlaws, his loyal band of equally misguided compatriots, who follow William's lead with the kind of blind faith usually reserved for cult leaders. Yet, William’s plans, as ambitious as they are ill-conceived, consistently unravel in ways that surprise no one but William himself.
Crompton’s brilliance lies in her ability to portray William’s antics with a kind of affectionate exasperation. Even as he creates havoc, there’s a sense that the world wouldn’t be quite as colourful without his peculiar brand of chaos. Whether he’s attempting to make quick cash, engaging in amateur detective work, or simply trying to prove a point to his long-suffering family, William’s efforts are always endearing, if not entirely effective.
It’s worth noting that, despite the repetitive nature of the series, Crompton’s writing retains its sharp wit and her characters, especially William, remain vividly drawn. The humour is timeless, capturing the universal absurdities of childhood with a deft touch. One could argue that the stories are formulaic, and they’d be right. Yet, it’s a formula that works, largely because Crompton understands that the charm of the series lies in William's unwavering commitment to his own misguided sense of justice.
The stories in William the Rebel are a delightful mix of the ridiculous and the heartwarming. William's "rebellions" often stem from a desire to do good, even if his methods are questionable at best. This is perhaps what makes William so lovable: his intentions are pure, even if the outcomes are anything but. And, as always, his actions lead to a series of misunderstandings that leave everyone—from his family to the hapless villagers—wondering how on earth they got caught up in William’s latest scheme.
William the Rebel is another solid entry in the Just William series, offering readers more of what they’ve come to expect: laugh-out-loud moments, nostalgic charm, and a boy who, despite everything, somehow manages to come out on top. For fans of the series, it’s a must-read; for everyone else, it’s a gentle reminder that childhood rebellion, at least in William’s world, is best enjoyed from a safe distance.
In this collection, William remains resolutely himself: a force of nature, a perpetual thorn in the side of authority, and a prime example of why some children should never be left unattended. The title, William the Rebel, conjures images of grand insurrections and societal upheaval, but this is William we’re talking about. His rebellions are less about toppling governments and more about causing gentle mayhem in his village, much to the exasperation of the adults around him.
Across these twelve stories, William's "rebellious" spirit leads him into various predicaments—ranging from encounters with suspected criminals to inadvertently rescuing people who may or may not need rescuing. His brand of rebellion often involves elaborate plans with the Outlaws, his loyal band of equally misguided compatriots, who follow William's lead with the kind of blind faith usually reserved for cult leaders. Yet, William’s plans, as ambitious as they are ill-conceived, consistently unravel in ways that surprise no one but William himself.
Crompton’s brilliance lies in her ability to portray William’s antics with a kind of affectionate exasperation. Even as he creates havoc, there’s a sense that the world wouldn’t be quite as colourful without his peculiar brand of chaos. Whether he’s attempting to make quick cash, engaging in amateur detective work, or simply trying to prove a point to his long-suffering family, William’s efforts are always endearing, if not entirely effective.
It’s worth noting that, despite the repetitive nature of the series, Crompton’s writing retains its sharp wit and her characters, especially William, remain vividly drawn. The humour is timeless, capturing the universal absurdities of childhood with a deft touch. One could argue that the stories are formulaic, and they’d be right. Yet, it’s a formula that works, largely because Crompton understands that the charm of the series lies in William's unwavering commitment to his own misguided sense of justice.
The stories in William the Rebel are a delightful mix of the ridiculous and the heartwarming. William's "rebellions" often stem from a desire to do good, even if his methods are questionable at best. This is perhaps what makes William so lovable: his intentions are pure, even if the outcomes are anything but. And, as always, his actions lead to a series of misunderstandings that leave everyone—from his family to the hapless villagers—wondering how on earth they got caught up in William’s latest scheme.
William the Rebel is another solid entry in the Just William series, offering readers more of what they’ve come to expect: laugh-out-loud moments, nostalgic charm, and a boy who, despite everything, somehow manages to come out on top. For fans of the series, it’s a must-read; for everyone else, it’s a gentle reminder that childhood rebellion, at least in William’s world, is best enjoyed from a safe distance.
August 21, 2021
An excellent collection of William stories which made me chuckle on several occasions. I have come to the conclusion that I personally prefer the stories set pre and during WW2.
My favourite stories included
"Three Dogs and William"
"A Rescue Party"
"Mistakes Will Happen"
"William and The Watch and Chain"
"William The Fisherman"
"William and The Drug Trafficker"
"It All Began With The Typewriter"
My favourite stories included
"Three Dogs and William"
"A Rescue Party"
"Mistakes Will Happen"
"William and The Watch and Chain"
"William The Fisherman"
"William and The Drug Trafficker"
"It All Began With The Typewriter"
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August 14, 2021Liked "William's wonderful plan" , "William the fisherman" & "William and the drug trafficker "
October 14, 2024
2024-Oct re-read:
Nothing too outstanding, but nothing that felt droll either; just your standard dose of William.
Nothing too outstanding, but nothing that felt droll either; just your standard dose of William.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews