Billy Bunter in Brazil by Frank Richards.

Published March 1949 by Charles Skilton (Reprinted 1952 and 1959)

Illustrated by R.J. Macdonald.

We last heard of Brian Mauleverer in the South Sea Island adventure in the Magnet in 1938.  Lord Mauleverer’s wayward cousin – at that time a beachcomber – had decided, at the end of that story, to accept his wealthy cousin’s help.

   Billy Bunter in Brazil is a holiday story. Frank Richards often sent the chums to faraway places, on this occasion Rio de Janeiro – 40 hours flying away – is to be the destination.

   It is not clear if Hamilton had ever flown by air, but he spent four chapters describing the flight to Rio.

   Although the war had been over for five years, it is apparent from this story that food rationing in the UK is still an issue. Bunter, in particular, is delighted to discover, that, once in the air, food restrictions no longer apply. Lisbon, where the chums touch down on their journey, is described as a “land of plenty.”

   Although a genuine Hamilton written story, this is a rather odd one. There is a lot of descriptive narrative right from the start. The very appearance of the printed page is different from the usual Greyfriars stories; the page is more closely printed, with fewer white spaces.

   In this story, Bunter does not have to fish, cajole, or wheedle an invitation. Mauly invites him to join the party right at the start.

   Arriving in Rio, it is not surprise to learn that Brian is missing. We get the usual guide & travel book descriptions of Brazil, & a generous sprinkling of Portuguese words.

   There is the usual swarthy villain – Martinho Funcho - & the far more exotic O Corvo - The Crow - in English.

   Frank Richards was retreading old ground here – the chums had visited Brazil earlier, in The Magnet. Here, as then, Bunter is his usual obnoxious, selfish, racist self.

   Although he himself had never set foot outside of Western Europe, Hamilton was adept at describing exotic foreign locations. This had worked well in the past, particularly when the chums had visited China, India, the USA, & France. Plus visits to the South Seas & Africa. Here, his descriptions cannot be faulted. But, all in all, this is not one of his better holiday yarns.

   Wild beasts, such as pumas & alligators abound, and are dispatched with the customary disregard for wildlife that was typical of the period.

   Mauly “owns” the plantation in Brazil, which is staffed by people of all colours. Hamilton is at pains to point out that here there is no “colour-bar.”

   On this occasion it is Hurree Singh, using his customary sharp intelligence who solves the mystery.

   Having braved mosquitoes, wild animals, & dangerous, armed bandits, the chums return safely to a slap-up spread in Mauly’s study.

  Not one of the best by any means, but interesting.