I know that some members of the forum have fond memories of reading the children’s book “Thunder and Lightnings” in the 1970s. I am sad to have to report that it’s author, Jan Mark, has died at the age of only 62. She wrote the novel whilst living in a cottage under the Coltishall flightpath. If you have not read it, then the book will certainly appeal to you if you ever built a model Lanc., read “The Victor” or wrote a school project on Spitfires. Highly recommended.
By: Propstrike - 30th March 2006 at 22:25
Should not really dig up an old thread, but with with the Jags pulling out of Coltishall this week, it reminded me of this.
Victor would have been relieved that the Jags were just a passing phase. He would be about 45 now, just the right age to buy a new Bovis executive box, as the airfield disappears under 35,000 building plots.
By: Phillip Rhodes - 20th January 2006 at 15:36
Jackanory Jackanory Jackanory
I’m glad I wrote to her last year to say how much I liked her book. I wasn’t brilliant at reading as a child, so my only childhood recollection of Thunder and Lightnings was through BBC Jackanory. It was only in 2003/4 that I finally picked up the book and rediscovered my own childhood. Growing up in the 1970s with Airfix and aeroplanes and Airfix and exploring was just magical and this book mirrored the lives of many – most of whom are now in their 40s. No one else managed to capture the glory of being a child, growing up in a world of his own.
According to Jan, there were plans to turn her book into either a TV drama or series. I was going to write to her to see if a script was ever produced. I had thought of writing to her the other day and the day before that. I had thought about writing to her months ago. And now…?
I would have loved to turn Thunder and Lightnings into a film or TV Drama. Maybe it’s not impossible – probably just improbable. Pity the BBC didn’t pick up on her death.
By: tobysmith123 - 19th January 2006 at 16:24
sad news. I got the book last year for my 13th birthday and have read it several times already
By: Arm Waver - 19th January 2006 at 08:29
Sad indeed. A book I still enjoy.
By: coanda - 18th January 2006 at 18:05
sad news indeed, this is one of the earliest books that i remember reading from the school library (proper books that is……..).
By: Charley - 18th January 2006 at 13:34
I also recommend “Conrad’s War” by Andrew Davies (I believe he is the same writer who adapts classic novels for TV).
By: T6flyer - 18th January 2006 at 13:30
Sad News indeed. I remember reading it as a child and then hearing it on Jackanory and then well just forgot about it and a whole host of other things…….then the other day I saw a copy in a bookshop and just had to buy it. About the other fiction book in my collection.
Martin
By: Phil Foster - 18th January 2006 at 13:23
Sad news, I remember the book very well. I read it when I was about 12 I think.
Phil 🙂
By: Paul F - 18th January 2006 at 13:12
Thunder and Lightnings
Re-read it myself a couple of years ago when my daughter brought it home from the school Library “for Dad coz I know he likes Lightnings and they’re in it book“. I never read it in the 70’s (though I don’t know how I missed it), but I would agree it is well worth finding, especially if, like me, you are still a big kid at heart!
Paul F
By: DGH - 18th January 2006 at 12:30
🙁 Very sad news. It may be a teenagers book but I still read it from time to time and no other book has had such an effect on my life to date, strange as that may seem. As Victor would say “everything goes that you like best”. My condolencies to her family and friends. 🙁
By: JDK - 18th January 2006 at 12:18
That is sad. She wrote a couple of other books featuring aviation, as well as being an excellent kid’s author.
From the Walker books website:
As a child
Jan Mark was born in Hertfordshire during the Second World War. She would have been born in London, but her mother had been evacuated. She moved around a lot as a child, but ended up in Oxford, where she lives now.As an artist
Jan Mark is one of the most distinguished authors of books for young people. She has twice been awarded the Carnegie Medal and has also won the Penguin Guardian Award, the Observer Teenage Fiction Prize and the Angel Award for Fiction. Her many titles include Thunder and Lightnings, Lady Long Legs and The Snow Maze.
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January 18, 2006 at 12:12 pm