sholio: sun on winter trees (Biggles-plane)
Sholio ([personal profile] sholio) wrote2023-01-22 05:12 pm
Entry tags:

Biggles and the charming quirks

A snippet from Biggles and the Gun Runners that I found particularly cute is under the cut. Context is a bit spoilery for the plot, but only in a vague sort of way.


Context is that they're stranded in a swamp. At this point they've been there overnight.

“Biggles straightened his crumpled clothes and getting out of the plane sat on his favourite tussock of grass. With slow deliberation he lit a cigarette.”

HIS FAVORITE TUSSOCK.

I just find this immensely charming. Biggles is absolutely the sort of person who would have a favorite tussock for sitting on and smoking, even in the middle of being stuck in a swamp.

I think one of the things that makes these books so fun is that they're full of these little quirky human details. Johns clearly enjoys putting in these bits, and giving his characters these little, relatable quirks and mannerisms. A lot of us probably have a favorite tussock or something similar.



Update: There is now commentfic about this.
scioscribe: "Hark!" exclaimed Biggles (biggles hark)

[personal profile] scioscribe 2023-01-23 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
YES, this is so adorable! I love Bertie noting in advance that Biggles won't actually mind in this case (and they all know it) and the bit of backstory about Algy deliberately teasing Biggles with it. And the ending is so sweet and perfect.
yhlee: a biplane against a sunrise (biplane)

[personal profile] yhlee 2023-01-23 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
HAHAHAHA I love this. ♥
rachelmanija: "my dashing nemesis" text over sky and clouds (Biggles dashing nemesis)

[personal profile] rachelmanija 2023-01-23 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
HE SAT ON IT LAST NIGHT.

Erich very sensibly wondering if he's being hazed!

YOU CAN SHARE MY ROCK.
Edited 2023-01-23 04:32 (UTC)
black_bentley: (Default)

[personal profile] black_bentley 2023-01-23 07:47 am (UTC)(link)
This is perfect! Of course they all know he actually won't mind, and of course Algy has form for pushing his luck just to be annoying :D
philomytha: cover of Biggles Flies East (Flies East)

[personal profile] philomytha 2023-01-23 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
Poor Algy! What has he done to deserve Biggles and Erich perched together drinking coffee on the Best Rock before he’s even had his morning wash!

I love this completely <3
chanter1944: a lilac tree in bloom (Wisconsin spring: lilac season)

[personal profile] chanter1944 2023-01-23 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
*giggling* Oh, this is adorable.
sheron: RAF bi-plane doodle (Johns) (Default)

[personal profile] sheron 2023-01-24 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
LOLLLL Erich is the one he'll share the rock with. Of course.

Can this be considered nesting? XD