I have to say that despite the absence of my favourite characters, I always found this book totally compelling (even when I first read it aged about 13 - which is 20 years ago now!). Of course it has major plotholes (such as not getting Mrs M. to drive them into Colebridge) but no worse than most books. (I mean, I love Harry Potter, but all the books are based on totally unnecesary and contrived plot devices). I LOVED Patrick setting off quoting "I met a man this morning, who did not wish to die..." and I thought Peter's Old Man Kangeroo was as evocative and utterly memorable as other great AF scenes, such as the boxing-day hunt in Peter's Room and the sailing-back-from-France scene. At 13 I found the slang slightly irritating, but this was more than made up for by the "teenage-ness" of the book which I really enjoyed (I was fascinated to find Laurie acting like quite a few of my friends at that time). And rereading it as an adult, I actually enjoyed the slang - it is now SO dated as to have got beyond any cringe-worthiness!