The second book in the Lone Pine series. These twenty books are British fiction for children that were written from 1943 to 1978. It's about a bunch of kids who form a club and have adventures in the Welsh countryside. This one, from 1944, was written during WWII.

In my mind I can't help comparing it to that other British writer of children's adeventures, Enid Blyton. There are some similarities, like the group of boys and girls having their holidays in the countryside, relatively free from adult supervision, playing and having adventures.

I find this books more down-to-earth than Blyton's, more connected with a real location. At the same time, I don't think Saville was as good a storyteller as Blyton. His adventure is less focused. Another reviewer wrote "the kids run around like they have ADHD and an accomodating adult is never far away to provide food or shelter". And that's spot on. They run around, and the adventure kind of happens, but they do not seem to enjoy the same independence from adults and the same awareness of the adventure as Blyton's characters.

On the plus side, I found the twins more amusing than in the first book. They are still up to their annoying customs, mind you, but I'm getting used to them and seeing the funny side of their anctics. They provide a welcome dose of individuality and zaniness. ( )

The main feature of this story are -

* The introduction of the Romany family (who appear in a number of subsequent stories)

* The addition of Jenny to the Lone Piners

* Meeting Uncle Micah, and, subsequently, Charles Sterling

and reinforcement of a plot which necessitates the Lone Piners separating, having their own adventures, and coming back together in a dramatic climax.

The twins are developed as characters, and this is mainly Peter's story.

The original hardback publication has a greater level of inappropriate sexism and colorful descriptions of Peter eating hedgehog, and Mackie dispatching rats in a barn.

The book is dated by the way a boiled egg and a slice of bread and butter is still seen as a feast

Second in the 'Lone Pine' series, this book is about Peter's lonely Uncle Micah, grieving for his son who left home after an argument some years previously. It's also an exciting adventure for David Morton and his somewhat annoying (though generous and loyal) twin siblings, Dickie and Mary.

Intended for teenagers, suitable for children, and a good light read for anyone! I have read it several times over the years, but only recently acquired a hardback edition, which has a lot more conversation and general characterisation than the abridged Armada which I had previously read.

Very enjoyable, best to read after 'Mystery at Witchend', but it's not essential.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2020/08/seven-white-gates-by-malcolm-savill... ( )

Better than Famous Five or Secret Seven (which i loved).
Loved this book as a child; a girl goes to stay with her uncle in Shropshire near the Stiperstones mountain. Atop of the Stiperstones sits the Devils Chair: a rocky outcrop that can't be seen during foggy weather (when the devil sits down).
She makes friends with the local kids and they form a gang with a brilliant hideout.
They find out some curious things about the locals and notice some strange goings on, which of course, get investigated. ( )

Tweede avontuur van de Eenzame-Sparreboomclub (= Lone Pine Club). ( )