Talk:Just William (book series)

I would suggest that the William books are primarily "Literature" rather than "Children's Literature". The stories (certainly the earlier ones) were published for a general (adult) market in periodicals which were not specifically aimed at children. The fact that some children enjoyed reading them (or having them read to them) is a bonus. 81.149.133.88 (talk) 13:00, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

Illustration of William not typical
I enjoyed reading several of these books when I was a child. The ilustration given is untypical of William illustrations in the books. He is normally depicted as a scruffy grubby child whose socks are falling down, and not the neat model child shown. Although I understand that the illustration is from the first book, an illustration from the other books of his normal character would be far better. 89.243.83.43 (talk) 10:30, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

I agree - it's rather misleading, even though the source is impeccable. Centrepull (talk) 06:50, 3 May 2009 (UTC)

Mother's name
In the story The Cure, in William Again, William is taken to Ireland to visit his mother's apparently dying Great Aunt Jane. When she meets William, she says "So this is Margaret's youngest, is it? I've seen the others, Robert and Ethel". This is the only reference I have ever seen to his mother's name, so I have edited the article to use this in place of Mary. Does anyone else have a source for that name? RolandR (talk) 22:34, 8 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Mrs Brown's first name is Margaret in William Again, 2, but Mary in Just William's Luck, 17, William- the Explorer, 5, and William's Treasure Trove, 5. I have edited to mention this.--WJCB (talk) 17:38, 17 January 2010 (UTC)

Joan's last name
I remember reading that Joan's last name was Crewe, but I don't remember where. Respectfully, SamBlob (talk) 13:49, 26 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Some sources have it as "Joan Clive"; however, I have the story "William and the Bomb" from "William Carries On" open before me right at this moment and am reading: "Joan Parfitt was the only girl of whom the Outlaws had ever really approved". Could be one of those occasions where the author never settled on a permanent surname for the character. -- Codeine (talk) 00:12, 4 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Joan has three surnames throughout the series; it is Clive first, then Crewe, then Parfit, before reverting back to Clive. She also changes in physical appearance, Joan Clive had blue eyes and bright golden curls whereas Joans Crewe and Parfitt had dark eyes, dark curly hair and a dimpled complexion. Crewe turns to Parfitt after Joan's absence then subsequent return to the village after her London home is bombed, so it is possible her mother has been widowed (or, rather unlikely, divorced) and remarried. However, in William Meets the Professor (William ant the Tramp) she has inexplicably reverted to Clive.--WJCB (talk) 17:52, 17 January 2010 (UTC)

Just William?
The series has always been known (in the UK) as the 'William' series, or sometimes 'William Brown' series. I don't know where this idea has come from that the books are known as the 'Just William' series. Any ref for this? 'Just William' is used to refer to the TV series more often, and none of the books use this term apart from the first, eponymously titled one.

Also, was Victor's older brother really called Jameson Jameson, or is this a typo? Centrepull (talk) 07:18, 3 May 2009 (UTC)


 * I've certainly heard the books referred to as the 'Just William' series many times over the last 30 years that I've been familiar with them. I'd suggest that the name of the Just William Society, (as well as various other results that a Google search throws up) gives a fair indication of the name being widespread, if not commonplace.  And yes, Victor's older brother was called Jameson Jameson; from 'A Little Affair of Rivalry' in 'William the Pirate': "Jameson Jameson was a contemporary of Robert's". Hope this helps. -- Codeine (talk) 00:21, 4 May 2009 (UTC)

Victor Jameson
It says in the article that Victor Jameson is a rival gang member to the Outlaws. I can't find any evidence for this throughout the series. Where does he have a rival gang? And who's in it? I have edited the section on him in the meantime. —Preceding unsigned comment added by WJCB (talk • contribs) 17:59, 17 January 2010 (UTC)

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