Jim Davis

The language and outdatedness of this 1911 adventure could challenge the stickability of many modern readers. Coincidences and credibility leaps abound as the eponymous young hero adventures forth with the ne’er-do-well smuggling fraternity of South Devon. It is adrenaline pumping stuff with not a special effect in sight; just the sea coast and caves of the two sides of The Channel and the battle of wits against The Authorities.

The process of being captured, frightened witless and subjected to a fair bit of pain and not a few deaths is intended to make a man of Jim, which the author obviously wishes to underline to his reader. Today’s youth might just see it as an old fashioned yarn.