Talk About Blyton!

Famous Five – George's feelings

May 4, 2007 – Nitya says: In almost all FF books, George looks "affectionately" at Julian. She always listens to him not only because he is the eldest but because she thinks he's marvellous. She thinks he knows how to handle things and knows what is right and wrong. She keeps looking at him admiringly. What does this mean? Is she falling in love with him?
May 7, 2007 – Jeni says: Admiration and love really are unconnected emotions. One has nothing to do with the other. However they sometimes intermingle, eg, "...he was filled with love and admiration for his doting father", or "...she very much loved and admired her younger brother..." As one can see, the kind of love described here is not 'eros'. lso obvious here is that there are two kinds of 'love', one displayed by family members, and the other 'love' referring to erotic love. I sincerely doubt that George is nursing erotic love for Julian - sounds to me she loves him more like a 'brother'. EB is not known for describing erotic love in any of her books and frankly, I like things that way. (Leave that stuff to the Mills and Boon and Harlequin romance novels that exist out there in excessive numbers.) Children should be focused on playing, growing up, exploring and refining their minds and intellect and leave the 'love' thing for when they're adults. They'll have plenty of time for that. Youth is too fleeting. By the way, and I know some will 'challenge' me on this, but TRUE love only exists between couples who have been happily married for sometime. That kind of love transcends everything and encompasses all other positive emotions.
May 8, 2007 – Spoorti says: No way! George doesn't always like Julian I know she admires him but that does not mean she loves him. Come on, silly, they are cousins! Example, in Five Go Off in a Caravan, when Julian's father says that he has to take care of the gang, George disagrees and says Timmy can take care. And when Julian says he will lock the girls' caravan, George starts fighting with him.
May 21, 2007 – rogoz says: Georgina's cousins are heaven-sent in the first novel to become the instant family she badly needs; she starts with poor social skills and has almost no friends in the village, which is unusual in small communities. Julian and Dick become her de facto older brothers while Anne's better qualities are at least appreciated - the notion of having 15 Dolls aside. To Fanny's astonishment, they are all bonded together by the end of the first novel but Georgina reserves the right to a stubborn independence, right or wrong. While Julian, "the Manager" can be over-bearing and often quite wrong about events, his social skills are really superior allowing him to effectively deal with the difficult Georgina.
June 15, 2007 – Chantal says: I don't believe George had a crush for her cousin! Julian was an older brother for her. I always thought (even as a child) that George was gay or that she was born in the wrong body.
	Inspector Jenks says: *Snorts with laughter!*
June 16, 2007 – Jeni says: ...'George was gay or that she was born in the wrong body'?!? EB with her childlike mind would NEVER entertain thoughts like that. CERTAINLY NOT! Er... em... uh... I better stay away from topics like this one before I get myself into real trouble here...
June 17, 2007 – Chantal says: Jeni -- Why? What's wrong with the idea that Georges was gay? It isn't a shame if she was! There's nothing wrong with that. Maybe it's because I'm Dutch and we are very tolerant people and not as homophobic as some others. It's never mentioned in the books but also in the 50s you had gay people! I don't believe that Blyton was so niaive, but it was a children's book and those days people didn't talk about sexual feelings or feelings at all. But that doesn't mean that it wasn't there! George was definitely a tomboy and not happy with the fact that she was a girl. So there is a big change that there was 'something different' with her. Different but not wrong! Friendly greats from Chantal - Amsterdam
June 18, 2007 – Jeni says: Chantal, I resent the fact that you're introducing 'sexuality' or 'homosexuality' into a website whose Star Author was a CHRISTIAN children's author adored and loved by millions of children the world over. In NONE of her books did Enid Blyton discuss or even allude to sexuality of ANY kind. I also highly resent your suggestion that tomboys are closet gays. I myself was a tomboy all my life, I have 2 brothers and was forever trying to do what they did. I preferred playing with slingshots and waterguns instead of dolls and dolls' houses. And instead of spending time sewing or cooking, I chose bodybuilding along with my brothers as a hobby for a while back in my 20's. However I've always been attracted to BOYS, not girls. I still am. And though today I wear dresses, jewelry, makeup, lipstick and perfume, I'm STILL a tomboy at heart, even at the age of 45. I just recently purchased a watergun to blast water at the red squirrels and chipmunks that like to eat the feed off my bird feeders.
	Inspector Jenks says: I'm not sure what being a Christian has to do with not being gay, but that aside I agree with you, Jeni, that Blyton's world is entirely "straight" and completely innocent. Not that there's anything wrong with the idea of gay characters as such -- it's just not Enid Blyton. Nuff said on this matter?
June 21, 2007 – Jeni says: er... Keith, I didn't open the can of worms, but I'll be darned if I let that last worm squirm away! You made a comment that I feel obligated to respond to, sorry, due to "conscience', namely mine. The word Christian, as everyone knows, originates from Christ, namely Jesus Christ, whom the entire Bible revolves around. Enid Blyton wrote a book centered on the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. (I'm not sure how many of you know this) and this was one of the very FIRST EB books I ever read and it made a huge impact on MY life, in fact, it spurred me onto Christianity and I'm now solidly planted in Christianity. [abridged] It was only when I read that book by Enid Blyton about Jesus Christ's life and death did I truly 'convert' to Christianity, in my heart and spirit, as I am today. After I read that book about Jesus' life, I cried for weeks, months and in my heart, I prayed to God to help me become a Christian, just like EB was. Yes, EB was an avid Bible reader herself, obviously. And the Bible itself CONDEMNS homosexuality. Those of the 'alternative lifestyle' are very much aware of this fact, hence they have now branded the Bible and its contents as 'hopelessly old-fashioned', 'outdated', defunct and so on. Many of them attend churches where the Bible is NOT read nor focused on. They attend churches which support and praise their alternative lifestyle, which is precisely what they want. Anyway, that is the gist of my thoughts to your comment "...I'm not sure what being a Christian has to do with not being gay..."
	Inspector Jenks says: Heh, I somehow knew that my comment would spark a reaction. Sorry, but my point was simple -- despite what you say, I'm pretty certain there are PLENTY of gay Christians in the world. You may consider that an oxymoron, but I consider it a matter of personal opinion. I'm not religious myself (or gay for that matter) so maybe what I believe here is irrelevant, but it does annoy me a bit when "true Christians" try to claim the moral high ground. I particularly dislike people saying things like, "Let's try to inject some good Christian values" as if non-religious people are incapable of being decent folk. Not saying you're doing that, Jeni, just telling you my own beliefs and why I made my earlier comment. :-) And for the record, I also believe the Bible is outdated and nothing more than an interpretation of the beliefs of many folk from 2000 years ago.
June 22, 2007 – Jeni says: FYI: I found the book (I wish I still had it; I lost it when I was around 11 yrs old) on-line and it's called "The Children's LIFE OF CHRIST. " In her own words, Enid chronicles the entire life of Jesus, from his birth, his many miracles, his persecution - basically ALL the events that occurred in his life until his death. It's fascinating reading, even more fascinating was the fact that the author herself was deeply religions, in her accurate depiction of the life of Christ.
June 22, 2007 – Jeni says: Keith, we agree then, to disagree! I respect your views and opinions, just like I do everybody else's! I hate finger pointing myself and not fond of anyone pointing fingers at me, even inadvertently. I simply HAD to clarify that point that being a female tomboy doesn't mean a woman is gay. Besides, I'm married to the love of my life - Kevin, who happens to be a man! And like Nigel did, Kevin too will support the fact that his tomboy wife is very much a woman! Nuff said on this matter! :D ps: thanks again for allowing us to express ourselves and our opinions on your GREAT website, and oh by the way, I've nothing against Chantal, I just disagree with Chantal's remarks!
	Inspector Jenks says: Yes, same here. George is a tomboy with a healthy admiration of Julian, and nothing more. :-D
June 22, 2007 – Chantal says: Christians, the bible? It doesn't seem that connected with this discussion, but ok, I live in 'immoral' Amsterdam (thank God!), the city where gay people get married and start their own families... And of course not every 'tomboy' girl or woman is (or would turn out to be) a lesbian. So, as I said earlier, I don't believe that Blyton was so naive. She wasn't stupid and of course she had heard of gay people. But because of that time (the 40's) she never named it that way, but George wasn't the only one. Are you forgetting Allison from the St Clare's books? (So she was named here, I don't know if that was here original name too?) She fell in love with every girl/woman from St Clare's. First you had the American girl Sadie, then the female drama teacher, then there was of course Angela and in the last book you had the female Englisch teacher. Maybe George was only a tomboy, but Allison was definitely gay and there is nothing wrong with that! You think Blyton was naive, but I don't believe that. She never mentioned it that way but she described Allison as a lesbian. We live in 2007 and people here are in shocked by the idea that Blyton's world wasn't all straight, and that shocked me, this is so so sad!!!
June 22, 2007 – ali foster says: It seems to me perfectly clear that George is transsexual and more than just a tomboy! She thinks she is really a boy and she wants to be a boy.
June 23, 2007 – vinayak says: Oh... my... gosh. George studied in 'Gay'lands School, and so did Ann. Maybe EB had a bit of Da Vinci in her and hid some secrets in her work! Tee Hee. Jokes apart, just because some of George's habits are like males, she can't be called gay. (I agree with Jeni.) Today, females stand shoulder to shoulder with males, whether in sports or big executive jobs (there are also women bodyguards!) but they can't be called gay. I am not a girl but yes, I usually get angry in this issue of inequality between boys and girls. And I don't believe in that attraction of George towards Julian. It is "FAMILY LOVE."
June 23, 2007 – Chantal says: Yes, Ali Foster, you're right. George isn't gay but she is transsexual (as I also say in my first post). That she was a tomboy doesn't mean that she was automatically gay, of course not. But she feels and thinks that she was a real boy. I believe that If she had really lived these days then she would have been thinking of doing a sex change operation. (ps Thank you for correcting my grammar. I know my English isn't perfect but I do my best. I read English perfectly but to discuss it, it is a little bit harder.)
	Inspector Jenks says: You're welcome! :-)
June 24, 2007 – Nigel Rowe says: Interesting how your mind works, Chantal! So George was a transsexual, eh? As this character was based on Enid herself, I don't think so! Now, on the other hand, I could see Julian in a nice, summer frock... . ;-)
June 24, 2007 – rogoz says: Georgina would hardly think of a sex-change operation if she thought she was already a 'real boy' - admittedly not perfect but getting there! But the real giveaway is that Georgina was modeled on Blyton herself, who married and had children. So sorry to upset y'all wild theories!
June 25, 2007 – John Howes says: Jeni, we've seen eye to eye on many discussions regarding EB, so I hope you won't take this the wrong way. Like you, I'm Christian and heterosexual and, frankly, how anyone could be sexually attracted to someone of the same sex is beyond me, but your argument that "homosexuality is wrong because the Bible says so" is flawed. It's true that homosexuality is condemned in Leviticus 18:22 (and other places) in no uncertain terms as "an abomination" or "detestable", depending on your version of the Bible. However, this same Bible also tells us that, among other things: Working on the Sabbath is a sin punishable by death (Exodus 35:2); men are forbidden to trim their hair (Lev. 19:27); you must not plant more than one type of crop in a field or wear clothes made of more than one type of fabric (Lev. 19:19); eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10). Do you oppose these "transgressions" on the grounds that "the Bible says so" as well?
June 26, 2007 – Spoorti says: OK, I think this topic is getting more adultish. Better stop it!
	Inspector Jenks says: This site isn't restricted to children, Spoorti! ;-)
June 27, 2007 – Anonymous says: I completely agree with Jeni. Enid Blyton wrote for children and never for adults so she always made her stories as innocent as possible. It was only brotherly love. And as Spoorti says, George never used to agree with him but she is proud of him and admires him. And I think there are little children visiting this site and before they start wondering what is gay and other words like that we better stop talking about this topic.
July 1, 2007 – Ming says: Dear me, Chantal, why do I get the feeling that most people you know are transsexual? ;-)
July 1, 2007 – Nigel Rowe says: Goodness me, Chantel; you seem obsessed with George's sexuality! How can you read so much into a character that isn't there? Enid was writing about four cousins; one was a tomboy, who objected to having her wings clipped by the traditional restrictions of the time. She wanted to go out on cold nights, fish, explore, search for adventure and have a jolly good time. Like most girls of to-day, she felt more comfortable in shorts and a jumper (okay, maybe not jumpers anymore!) than a frilly skirt. That does not make her a) Lesbian or b) a Transvestite and certainly not c) Transsexual. Stop reading sexual connotations in Enid's innocent stories!
July 1, 2007 – Jeni says: 'Anonymous" - HATS off to you, I wish I knew your real name, but here's a big HUG for you - LOVED your response and that of others concerning 'sexuality' on this site. Hats off to you all, not just for 'agreeing with Jeni' but seeing the sense of it all. Let's not 'create' something in Blyton's world that wasn't in Blyton's mind in the first place. If I were Blyton, I'd be absolutely LIVID that some of my characters' personalities are being changed from their original place and meaning in EB's books. And it's obvious that yes, children are also regular visitors to this website and we don't want to pollute their little minds on 'adult' topics on sexuality, shall we, let's just let them have fun and grow up and play, like normal little children do, all the while reading Blyton's books as they grow up and turn out into healthy minded young adults.
July 1, 2007 – Jeni says: John, YOU and Elizabeth could say pretty much ANYTHING to me and I'd never take it the wrong way! I totally respect you two! And yes, we 3 (you, Elizabeth and myself) DO agree on a lot of stuff. However, in answer to your questions in the Bible, a lot of those 'laws' you mentioned in the Bible for instance, planting crops, working on the Sabbath, wearing clothes made of multi fabrics and etc. , were all 'abolished' with the death of Jesus Christ, these laws were basically 'nailed' to the torture stake with his death. The ''NEW" law, as taught by Jesus Christ, was that man should love his neighbor as he loves himself, and above all, love his God. This new law encompasses everything else. (However, the sins of homosexuality was not abolished, throughout the Bible, the OLD and the NEW testament, are blatant laws against sexual transgression of ANY kind). Back to the golden rule, if those laws were followed, the Bible does promise blessings from God. Those 'old' "Mosaic" laws were mainly for the Jews at the time they were written; you must remember that the Jews back then were breaking many of God's laws, i. e. , they were sacrificing their children to foreign, pagan Gods, they were making their children walk through fire, thus killing them, and they were doing many many things to 'offend' God, thus he (God) made some real stiff rules/laws to control his wayward people. Much later on, the birth and death of Jesus would do away with ALL of those stiff laws and introduce much more gentler laws like I mentioned above, to "love as your neighbour" as yourself, which is known today by many as "The Golden Rule". And you will agree with me, I know John, that not too many people follow this rule, loving their neighbours, just take a look at the news and see the wars, hatred, racism, murders and abuse committed by people on their 'neighbours' - people they're supposed to love like themselves. I guess those very people are among those who view the Bible as an outdated, old fashioned worthless book (not referring to you Keith, you're different, you're our website guy! You're the last person we want to offend! (hahahaha!!) plus we ALL love our Keith, don't we guys?! Now, how about us all racing to Vinayak's house to eat some of those goodies he's having at his party, the first one there gets the biggest piece of cake, the last one, gets the rotten egg! (LOL!)
	Inspector Jenks says: But wasn't the Bible put together some 400 years after his death? By mere mortal people who had their own personal beliefs about what should and shouldn't be included in the Bible? That's why I don't take much notice of what it does and doesn't say -- nobody really knows which words were actually categorically stated by Jesus and, more to the point, which words were left out by those who put the Book together! Oh, and Jeni, have no fear about my editing you or anyone else due to different opinions! :-) I'd only ever do that if there were personal attacks on anyone here.
July 1, 2007 – Keith Robinson says: I think this topic has sparked more comments than any other!! I don't really want my site to get bogged down in religious talk, but I think it's okay in this thread alone -- call it a place to vent yourself if you want (politely of course). Anyway, I just read about how senior Church of England bishops are now saying the recent flooding in England is "a result of Western civilisation's decision to ignore biblical teaching, " in particular with regards to the subject of gay marriage. P-leeeease. Sorry, but I think this is a ridiculous statement -- ever so easy to say, but impossible to prove -- as per usual. I find this is always the case: Christians saying "it's a miracle" when something wonderful happens, and "God is angry" when there's a catastrophe. It's always about God, and never simply about people making bad decisions or basic science causing disasters. When England is flooded, that's the work of God being angry? No doubt when some fortunate individual miraculously escapes death from the same flood, that's a miracle -- ie, God is then being merciful. It just seems to me that the whole concept of God is used and abused by religious organizations the world over. That's not to say religious people are wrong to believe -- on the contrary, I'll happy admit that I'm a mere mortal and cannot possibly understand the inner-workings of the universe. Do I believe in ghosts and UFOs, and general other-worldly stuff? Sure. Reincarnation? Hmm, not really. God? Not in the sense that He's some all powerful sentient being, no, but perhaps there's something Out There we can't possibly conceive of. The Bible? In my opinion, nothing but an expurgated guide to the supposed preachings of the supposed Son of God -- in essence a book that was [link] target="_blank">compiled by a group of religious men several hundred years after Jesus' death, by people who lived in a time when relatively little was known about the world compared to today. Even if I accept that the Bible is 100% true and factual, and unedited from the original scriptures, there's still an awful lot of scriptures missing. Okay, so this is a simplified view of what I personally believe, and I'm happy in my belief, so like it or lump it! :-) And please feel free to disagree. By the way, just to get this back on topic... Blyton Blyton Blyton!
July 1, 2007 – Jeni says: Keith, I'm going to quote your own words back to you from the top of this page: "Now the floor is open to non-blooper comments – anything at all that might encourage discussion, whether it's odd, silly, funny, illogical, factually wrong, inspirational, awe-inspiring, magical... in fact anything that's thought-provoking and might want to encourage others to respond." Those are your words, not mine. We're simply doing what you've encouraged us to do and the topic simply leaded into religion, because one of your contributors on this site alluded to the fact that one of EB's characters must have been a 'closet gay' or a 'transsexual' and that of course, prompted a slew of responses from your readers not excluding yours truly. And as far as I've noted, nobody has strayed from Blyton, Blyton, Blyton as you put it. Blyton herself was Christian and an avid Bible reader - one of her books being based on the life and death of Jesus Christ. People will all differ in their views, nobody has condemned Chantal's comments or judged Chantal, but the fact remains that a LOT of people disagreed with her viewpoint on sexuality and EB's character "Georgina". And we all are venting our views politely. Even you yourself are prompted to state your own personal views and opinions, and we all respect you for that. But I also feel the need to disagree with a lot of what you've just said in your post above. Now will you let me disagree with you politely and respond to a lot of what you've just said? I think all this is highly interesting talk and so long as nobody offends anybody else or puts anybody else down or their religion down, then we're fine, correct?! But to give credit where credit is due, we all owe all this to you, the creator of this website and without you and your remarkable talented brains, none of us would have been able to post anything on this website, so thank you again, Keith for making all this possible for us all! ps: And when the topic of 'religion' is exhausted, then we'll all probably move onto something else that's got to do with "Blyton, Blyton, Blyton," probably 'food' again, midnight feasts, or eccentric teachers like some of those in Blyton's books!
	Inspector Jenks says: Indeed! But since you're quoting my own intro back to me, I just wanted to add that the title of this section is "Talk About BLYTON." That said, I'm happy for this thread alone to go completely off the rails, especially since I myself threw a spanner under the wheels! My little 'Blyton Blyton Blyton' quip is a private joke, sorry -- just ignore me.
July 1, 2007 – Jeni says: Keith, you don't have to print this if you don't want to, but you edited something of mine that there was NO reason to edit. I wrote something about my background, my heritage, my introduction to Enid Blyton, and you completely EDITED it out of my paragraph. There were no 'attacks', no 'insults' and definitely was I NOT attacking anybody, yet you deleted quite a bit of my entry. Frankly, I was very hurt by that, I was confused as to why you did that and not a bit happy about it. But then, you're the website monitor/creator and what was it my business to question your own decisions? As a matter of fact, because you did that to me, I had decided to never again contribute anything to your website. But John Howes changed all that because he had a direct question for me that prompted a response from me today. By the way, if you've frankly had enough of me (Jeni) and you want me completely off your website due to my controversial topics and the like, then simply say so and you'll never have anything of mine on your website again. I will completely respect your views. Thanks.
	Inspector Jenks says: Jeni, I did edit out a large portion of one of your previous posts. The piece I cut was not so much about your own background as religious history in general, and I felt the link to Blyton was being stretched just a little too thin. Now of course the topic has expanded and I'm guilty of being "off-topic" myself; if you posted that same message again now I'd include the entire thing without question! Does that make sense? I'm sorry I offended you; that wasn't my intention. I guess it WAS pretty rude of me; I really should have contacted you about it first. *Sigh* And now I see again, as I've seen many times before on other groups, how religious discussion always seems to lead to tears... :-(
July 1, 2007 – jeni says: I'm (sort of) with Ming on this one, Chantal, why is it I also feel you yourself may be transsexual, homosexual or whatever. No problem with that, it's your choice, your own freedom to express yourself and live as you like or please. But don't go pushing your own personal sexuality onto the innocent characters of Enid Blyton. EB herself wouldn't approve of it and those of us more conservative readers of EB on this website aren't exactly cheering you on, just in case you haven't noticed.
July 1, 2007 – jeni says: I know what Spoorti means, that this site is becoming too 'adultish'. Spoorti's right. I myself don't see what sexuality has anything to do with any of Enid Blyton's artistry, and to repeat myself again, albeit unnecessarily, I didn't open THAT can of worms. (Anonymous was RIGHT on the mark about leaving the topic of sexuality out of this website for the sake of young children (readers of Blyton) who will get confused). Not to worry Spoorti, the topic will eventually wear itself out (hopefully) and we'll go back to discussing more familiar FUN things like those in the Adventure series or the Malory Tower series or St Clare's! Hang in there! Keith DID give us the freedom to express ourselves on his website, but that doesn't mean we have to abuse that freedom or introduce highly controversial subjects, which I'm sure was not Keith's intention when he created this website.
July 2, 2007 – Ming says: Yes, Blyton Blyton Blyton... George has a healthy admiration for Julian because he is responsible, and can "hold the group together". I don't blame George for liking him as a cousin - that's JUST what it is - love and affection within a family. :-)
July 3, 2007 – Nigel Rowe says: Oh goodness me. I thought I had "tuned-in" to an evangelist site by mistake, but on checking the URL see that it is Keith's site! ;-) You are *so* correct, Keith; whenever religion or politics come under discussion, the temperature goes up, toys come flying from windows and nothing gets resolved. I'm not having a go at you, Jeni, (at least not while you've got whisky in the jar!), in fact I agree with most of what you say. I have always believed in the essence of Christianity, but tear my hair out when I see what is going on in the world in the name of God (or Allah). I hope we can soon return to the "wisha-wisha-wisha" world of the Enchanted Forest, eat Google Buns and run off to happier places with Silky and Moonface. :-)
July 3, 2007 – jeni says: No tears Keith, we're all good FRIENDS here on this website, remember?! And for goodness sakes, I don't cry that easily, 'cept over certain TV commercials, that's about it! :-D And I'm still in the lead racing over to Vinayak's house for all those goodies he's talked about. However, I'm in my wheelchair this time, so I do have the advantage I guess over the rest of you! LOL!
July 3, 2007 – Jeni says: Sorry Chantal, I just can't let this one go either, your "June 22" post on Allison's 'gayness'. I meant to comment on this but hadn't had a chance yet. Are you saying a younger girl's admiration for a beautiful woman is tantamount to being gay? How crazy does THAT sound? I have admired MANY beautiful women, that doesn't mean I'm gay! Don't we all admire beautiful things and beautiful people? Sometimes out of pure envy or just to admire for the sake of admiration! I think one of the most beautiful women I know about but haven't met personally, is Doris Day, yes, THE famous Doris Day of the TV movies in her time. Not only was she pretty, she had the loveliest smile and perfect teeth, beautiful hair and a beautiful personality to boot. Today, she's now in her 80's, she has withdrawn just about completely from the shallowness and selfishness so prevalent in mainstream hollywood and she has devoted the rest of her life to taking care of helpless, sick and ailing dogs and cats and who knows what other critters she takes under her wing and nurses back to health, then goes out of her way to find them suitable and loving homes. I don't believe in reincarnation, but if it did exist, I just told my husband, . . "Honey, if ever I could 'come back' in another life, I want to look just like and be just like Doris Day!" This post of mine's getting way too long again! But another example of a really 'HOT' woman that comes to my mind is the late actress Madeleine Kahn. She was not considered to be one of Hollywood's most BEAUTIFUL during her heyday. However, Madeleine had the most fascinating sense of humor and was a GIFTED comedienne! I've seen her in several movies including "Young Frankenstein" and "History of the World" (both directed/produced by Mel Brooks"). Now there's a Comedian WORTH talking volumes about! She was born talented and that in my mind and 'my' opinion, makes HER absolutely, ravishingly - beautiful! Does that make ME and EB's "Allison" lesbians? I think not!!
July 3, 2007 – jeni says: Evangelist website??!!! HahaaAaaaaaa!! NIGELl!! your comment has me on the floor in tears, laughing of course!! And I'm currently whiskey-free! Imagine what I'm like with my jar of whiskey in hand! However, it does great stuff for the pain of fibromyalgia, I can't overlook that! (hmmmmm... any excuse for a huge swig of that really great adult-stuff!) Kids, don't listen to me, first of all remember I'm 45 and you all got a ways to go to get where I am today, especially if you're disabled with fibromyalgia!! My opinion is that children are better off waiting till they're 40 to have their first drink! Has anybody here ever seen the Beverly Hillbillies? You'll remember Uncle Jed forbidding Ellie May and Jethro to drink liquor until they're married! By the way, your comments on religion and politics ARE right on the mark! As another of my favorite authors says, his Dad told him: "...never to get into arguments over politics, religion, baseball, or redheaded women."
July 4, 2007 – Nigel Rowe says: I'm with you on this one, Jeni. Chantal, I think you need to get out of Amsterdam! You seem obsessed with sexuality, especially homosexuality - seeing any friendship or admiration of same-sex people as having sexual feelings between them. I am wondering, are you gay? (Not that I have any issue with that, it just might explain your obsession with seeing gays everywhere!)
July 4, 2007 – Spoorti says: Hey, Hey, let's stop this topic. It doesn't seem like EnidBlyton.net. We all went off the point and came to gays and from Famous Five to St. Clare's. So please stop it. And another thing, 3 cheers for Nitya for making the topic with longest threads.
July 4, 2007 – Spoorti says: And another thing. If a girl wants to be boy in her younger age what's wrong in that? The silliness will wear off when they become elder. When I was small I hated wearing silly frocks, silly clips, etc. I was more comfortable in Jeans. Enid Blyton made us recognise how children in those days used to be. We can't mistaken them and say idiotic stuff and change the whole view of the character for others, especially children.
July 5, 2007 – Jeni says: GREAT COMMENTS Spoorti, and RIGHT on the mark. I think you echoed the feelings of a LOT of us, probably MOST of us on "THAT" topic! And yes, you're perfectly right, lots of kids when young and growing up, like to dress comfortably and couldn't be bothered with wearing stuff that adults insist they wear, particularly if it's uncomfortable! And all that's perfectly NORMAL with children. Lots and lots of girls dress like boys, cuz boys' clothing are so much more comfortable than little girls' stuffy, starched up dresses and forced to act 'grown up' when all they want to do is play in the dirt with the little boys collecting frogs and insects and playing in the muddy puddles!! (er... . well most of us as little kiddies did that, not all of us did; some of like yours truly liked playing with slingshots and playing cricket!)
July 6, 2007 – Anonymous says: LET'S STOP THIS TOPIC. PLEASE. IT'S GETTING TOO "ADULTISH". NOT AT ALL MEANT FOR CHILDREN.
July 8, 2007 – Vinayak says: Spoorti, the credit goes not only to Nitya but also to Chantal who spun these long threads. Chantal, when I read your first post, I felt it was completely normal as you were expressing your views. But when I read your second post, I considered it to be offensive as you were trying to involve or rather force in sexuality into Blyton's innocent world as called by some. In my earlier post I stated that women are involved in athletics also, but they are not lesbians. We also have men as fashion designers and interior designers and cooks but they are not gay. And Chantal, in one of your posts you stated that Dutch have the power of tolerance or something like that which could have brought a BIG controversy but thankfully it didn't.
July 9, 2007 – Nigel Rowe says: Anne and George were so excited. "I feel so gay today," said George, "You know, in a few hours we shall all be together again!" "Yes," said Anne, "I'm feeling really gay as well. It's so funny that we are so queer. You know, really happy at the start of a holiday then so sad at the end!" "That is queer, you are right," said George. "Stop it Timmy, you are so licky, you've made me wet again!"
	Inspector Jenks says: EnidBlyton.net blushes red.
July 10, 2007 – Jeni says: Shake hands with me, dear Nigel, even though you're all the way in the UK!!. I LOVE your sense of humor... we're so much alike in humor, 'cept methinks you're a whole heck of a lot funnier than I! This last post left me shaking with laughter, 'specially when I read Keith's reaction! I can just imagine Keith blushing; he seems the type! (hehe!) ps: Nigel - you keep yourself and your wife laughing like that and you 2 will live to a ripe old age!!
	Inspector Jenks says: Heh. I'm not as delicate as you might think, Jeni -- it's all a front to make me look responsible in case any mothers are checking to see what their kids are reading.
July 11, 2007 – Ming says: You're a riot sometimes, Nigel! I can imagine JUST what you were looking like when you wrote all that! I really, seriously snorted with laughter then. Thank goodness I wasn't drinking anything at the time... *still giggling*
	Inspector Jenks says: EnidBlyton says: See, Nigel, you're corrupting the young innocents!
July 11, 2007 – Jeni says: (laughing out LOUD!!) Then you do a VERY good job of making yourself look responsible, dear Keith! er... Ming... you there? You think you can help me out with Alice's clues? Nigel? Anybody?
July 15, 2007 – Steve Jones says: Hi, just found this website and, after having a good look around, found this post. Absolutely hilarious!! Trust me, as an EB outsider looking in, it's great fun to read. Especially the "a lot of those 'laws' you mentioned... were all 'abolished' with the death of Jesus Christ... but not the homosexuality one." How can you win against logic like that? P.S. Love the Secret Seven and Famous Five. Are there any stories out there about what happened to them when they grew up?
July 24, 2007 – Nigel Rowe says: Jeni dear, I would love to take your hand - or anything else you might offer! I am pleased to have made you chuckle. Ming and I are old compatriots, sometimes five and a half thousand miles seem like a couple of feet! As for Keith, he is the epitome of tact, diplomacy and respectability.
July 24, 2007 – Jeni says: Yes dear Nigel, I already know Ming has met you! And I would love to meet BOTH you and Ming too! Hopefully one of these days in the not too distant future. I LOVE reading your comments and remarks and highly respect your opinion on various issues. Always remember that.
July 27, 2007 – Nigel Rowe says: I am deeply honoured to read of your great admiration for me, Jeni. There aren't that many people who rate me that highly! Feel free to email me directly if you wish to continue this hero worship, as I get embarrassed easily! By the way, Keith; it is confusing how the newest post is at the top in the Topic List, but at the bottom in the actual thread. Is there a reason for this?
	Inspector Jenks says: EnidBlyon.net It just seemed to make more sense that way, but I could be wrong. There are various ways of doing it and each has its flaws. Thanks for mentioning it though -- I see a new topic coming on, asking for opinions on this...
January 28, 2008 – Ritu says: I really think that we should let all the "Famous Five's" be in peace with their cousin love between them. Why create love between them? It is an innocent story for children, so let's leave it like that.
February 21, 2008 – afifa says: I don't think George really wanted to be a tomboy at first but later she had the craze, maybe because she didn't want to do what others asked her to do. What I mean is her father would have wanted her to be quite girlish and would have been really hard on her when she didn't do anything of girly type. Which is why she decided to be a tomboy.
February 26, 2008 – Kiasu Tranquil says: George is not gay. I understand how she feels. She feels awkward when people look at her as a girly girl and she wants to be different. For those who says George is gay, or what, have you really asked her yourself? I mean, did you teleport into their world?
February 29, 2008 – Mimsy Kirana says: What are you lot talking about - George being a gay and born in a wrong body? Why, I should never have thought that kind of thinking. Not that I think you are a bad thinker. It seems unbelievable to me that Enid Blyton will put her readers in "gay and wrong body thinking". Well, George is a girl, but she tries - very hard - to look like a boy maybe because his father or mother or both had always wanted to make her a girlie and you know she is stubborn and maybe to object them, she dresses and acts like a boy. There, a positively clean thinking! Don't get offended, I'm seriously joking. A bad joke.
March 1, 2008 – Jeni says: Har har har... er... GREAT post, Kiasu! Love your kind of sarcasm! You're absolutely correct. Your post has definitely won my vote.
March 3, 2008 – abhilasha(george) says: I certainly agree with spoorti in the fact about George liking Julian. She does not like him but only has an admiration for him and on the other hand, of suspects of George being gay, I do not agree. I can prove that she is all right. In the book "Five Go to Mystery Moor", it was written that George wore a skirt and looked very nice in it. Where as Henrietta (another tomboy) looked just like a boy pretending to be a girl when she wore a skirt which annoyed George. So it means if George wears clothes like a girl she will look like one.
	Inspector Jenks says: And if that doesn't prove George is not gay, I don't know what does! :-)
March 5, 2008 – Michelle says: When I was ten, I took a page out of George's book, and pretended to be a boy (hair, name, clothes and all) for a whole summer vacation. I simply thought boys had more fun than "sissy" girls. I liked that all the boys wanted to play with me, and that I could get as messy as I wanted to, without raising too many eyebrows. (After the summer was over, my parents made me go by my real name again. ) Long story short: I am not gay (I'm happily married with two kids), nor did I ever feel attracted to women in any way. So I don't get what this whole fuss about George being gay is all about.
March 10, 2008 – george(abhilasha) says: I don't think so anyone can go against my last comment. And the most important thing: this topic is not about George being gay, it is about her feelings!!
March 13, 2008 – Nigel says: Georgina was a troubled young girl. She felt frustrated that she wasn't allowed to do many things that boys could do. In the 40s and 50s girls were seen as needing protection. She rebelled (quite rightly, imo) against this, and strode to do what she wanted to do. It might be of interest to check out www.EnidBlytonsociety.co.uk/forums where I have started a thread on this same topic. Forgive me for plugging the Society forums, but a few new participants there would be most welcome! :-)
	Inspector Jenks says: Feel free! I'm always happy to plug the Society. :-)
January 14, 2009 – Sophie says: I don't think Enid meant to make it look as if George was gay, for her cousins were like brothers and sisters to her. During childhood many girls can become tomboys which doesn't make them show any sexual feelings. But the word gay in her texted never relates to in other than meaning happy, so please don't confuse it.
February 6, 2009 – Anonymous says: Oh my god! Whatever happened to the days when a girl could be a tomboy without being percieved as homosexual and when a person could say 'I'm gay!' and mean it in a strictly non-sexual way???Oh the travails of modern day life *shakes head* This is why I read Enid Blyton. :-).
February 7, 2009 – Sharon says: Just wanted to add: I was a tomboy, a great admirer of George in my day. I cut my hair short, changed my name to Jo, called my dog Timmy, and wanted to be a boy. The reason? Boys had more fun! It's that simple. I went to a girl's boarding school. We had a tradition in that school that young girls (aged 12-13) would choose an older girl (15-16) to "fall in love" with. She was called your Smut, and you loved her to bits and did everything for her - carry her books, clean her shoes etc. All of us had a Smut, and guess what: almost all of us went on to marry and have children! So much for Alison's gayness. In other words: of course George was neither gay nor transsexual. What utter nonsense!
February 8, 2009 – Alicia says: Sharon, I go to a girls boarding school, and thank God we don't have to choose a smut here because the thought of making out with any of the girls from the higher forms is simply nauseating! Back to the topic - what is wrong with gay people? It's just their way of life and judging a person based on their sexual status is like racism. George, in my opinion was not gay. She was a tomboy and I think she would have preferred to stay single rather than get into a relationship.
February 9, 2009 – Andrew Goodwin says: Please don't forget that the character of George was based on Enid Blyton herself and she grew to have relationships with men, as George would have done.
February 14, 2009 – rogoz says: I've already said that Andrew - but the real giveaway is that Georgina says she won't marry a scientist [ like her dad ] Hmmm - not so gay after all!
February 14, 2009 – Emme says: I agree with Andrew , George was based on Enid Blyton herself and too be honest it never really says in any of the books that she was with girls. Can't a girl just be a tomboy without being called that word.
July 21, 2009 – Amy says: I do not think that George is in love with Julian. I think that she is in love with Dick and that Dick is in love with George. She just looks up to Julian as an older brother. As for evidence of Dick and George, remember when Dick stood up for George in Five Fall Into Adventure.
July 22, 2009 – enidfan says: Wow! what a discussion! I want to first echo Alicia's thoughts - what is wrong with being gay? I am not gay myself (and if I was who cares) but I have lots of friends who are gay and they bring as much joy into my life as my straight friends do. And yes, judging people people on their sexual preferences is entirely bigoted. Having got that out of the way, I have to say though that I never thought of George as gay. At the time she written, women weren't allowed the freedom they are allowed now, and George was simply rebelling against those rather claustrophobic rules. In any case, she never seemed to like girls - they were either sissy or she was jealous of them for creating competition for her (like in mystery moor). She always seemed to prefer the company of the boys. I never thought of Alison as gay either. Nearly all perfectly straight women admire other women - think of women who copy the way movie stars dress or talk. I know a woman who goes one step further - she admires "the female form" - in an artistic manner - and collects paintings of female nudes (is that word allowed here?). And yes, she is as straight as they come :-).
November 16, 2009 – Scampigirl says: None of us will ever know exactly what Enid Blyton was thinking when she created the character of George. I'm a lesbian myself, and as a young girl growing up I identified with the her character the most, and she is the most likeable and memorable to me. It does not need to be sexual, gay people are normal too, sex is not the only thing we do! It seems that sometimes people forget that. Why are so many of you offended by the suggestion that George MIGHT be gay. There is nothing wrong with being gay. But it certainly has nothing to do with being a Christian or not. There are gay people in every religion and every walk of life. Many are repressed but we are here. For me, it's certainly not a lifestyle choice. I've been attracted to women since puberty, probably before! But neither should it define who we are as people. I think that the beauty and enjoyability of Enid Blyton's books, is that we can all take from them what we like! None of us can say that George is or isn't gay. But I for one am glad she was there! Another small point, maybe she grew up to be bisexual : -).
	Fatty says: Of course, as George was a fictional character, she never grew up! Thank you, Scampigirl - an interesting post.
January 31, 2010 – Derek Fuller(Tanaya) says: I think the 'Gay'lands school thing was just a coincidence. I don't think, or did she make it on purpose. I don't know why my parents say I'm a tomboy just because 1. I HATE skirts. 2. I really hate stuff like lipstick, pinkie stuff. I never even behave like George. I just keep on thinking I'm a boy who 'happened to be born in the wrong body'.
February 2, 2010 – rogoz says: 'Gay' as in 'Gaylands' had no sexual meaning when Blyton was writing. At the most, it would have meant being free, uninhibited, bright, high-spirits.
February 6, 2010 – Ruby G says: Well, for starters, George was not in love with Julian. (They ARE cousins) And secondly she did want to be a boy, (But not gay) But was she Christian?
	Fatty says: What has "being cousins" got to do with it? George would have certainly been brought up in the Christian faith, but I would imagine didn't attend church regularly. There would have been religious services at her school. I believe atheist/agnostic parents could opt-out their children from these services.
February 10, 2010 – rogoz says: In Five go down to the Sea, the four pile into Tremannon Church for a service - the only attendance mentioned in 21 books. This makes them 'Christians' by default but I don't imagine they carried the Bible in their backpacks and there aren't 'Bible readings' after tea or anything.
February 11, 2010 – lul says: I think (and some other people too) that if you lose a parent the same sex as you, ie, you lose your mother and you're a girl, when you're 0-5, then you might grow up without a female role model. There are certainly a few cases I can think of. And George's parents don't really take any interest in her. Being Christian has nothing to do with being gay, although it's still illegal (I think) in some places.
February 14, 2010 – lul says: Because people didn't think much of gays in the fifties, I guess Blyton made George just a tomboy, in case of any suspicion that she had made her characters gay and then the Famous Five, if George were gay, that is, certainly not suitable for children. Just a wild guess. :). But I seriously think all people are equal, so personally, I don't care if someone's gay or not, but in the fifties they had different views.
February 14, 2010 – rogoz says: Georgina's parents certainly gave her the best paid education available at Gaylands where she could take her Dog and be with cousin Anne. A small point about the writing is that all adults, including Georgina's parents, are deliberately kept in the background - the novels weren't about them after all.
March 4, 2010 – Kiwiboots says: George was very much a tomboy - if she was such a tomboy that she thought, even as an adult, that she had been born into the wrong body, then she may have been transgendered (although not transsexual!) The line between being 'just' a tomboy and being transgendered (feeling like you ARE a boy) is grey. In response to the "of course George wasn't gay!" comments above: How do you know that? We never learn anything at all about George's sexuality (or the sexuality of her cousins, for that matter). I think there is a fair chance that George might be gay, rather than straight. The Famous Five is book about children, written for children. The sexual orientation of any of the children in it is never mentioned, and it doesn't seem to matter - the children (tomboys or not) as are all still just children, having fun.
	Bets says: Agree with your last line!
March 5, 2010 – Josefine says: I agree too with the last line! Some books should just read for fun. I don't care what George's feelings are. Only Blyton knew. I like to read the books and that's all that matters! And also many girls who act like that as little grown up and became "girlier" - what ever that is. I know one person who was more like a boy as a little girl.
March 12, 2010 – Daisy Dakin says: I think George really wants to be a boy. Though I think she should be a girl. Girls are better.
	Bets says: George was nothing but a tomboy, and a jolly good one at that. :-)
April 12, 2010 – Rory says: There is a huge difference between being a tomboy and being transgendered. Back in the fifties, girls who didn't want the usual gender-related stereotype to be applied to them might well be tomboys - taking delight in being just as good as any boy at climbing trees, making outdoor camps, sailing, etc. A superb literary example is Nancy Blackett in the Swallows and Amazons series by Arthur Ransome. But she always stands up for girls - she maintains that girls are (or can be) just "as good as" boys. At no time does she express any desire actually to BE a boy. And this is the difference. Transexual (transgendered) girls feel they really ARE boys, not girls at all. Wearing male clothes is common to both tomboys and to transexual girls. Acting in a boyish manner, doing "boys'" things - these aspects of behaviour are also common to both types of girl. The difference, as I have mentioned, is how you FEEL about yourself. Do you think of yourself as a girl who can compete on equal terms with boys - or as an actual boy, who has (through some medical accident) been born in a girl's body? I believe that George falls into the latter category, that she is transexual, and wishes she had been born a boy. The arguments cited against this by previous bloggers is that George is modelled on Blyton, who went on to marry and have children. Enid Blyton certainly didn't have a sex change! True, but it was extremely difficult in Blyton's young adult days to do anything else. She would have been expected to conform to her perceived gender, as did many transexuals of the time. Not only that, but it must be remembered that modellling a character on a real person does not mean that every facet of that character mirrors that of the real person. So in fact Blyton may not have been transexual, and George may have been. Do we know for a fact that the young Enid had short curly black hair and a dog called Timmy? Of course there will be discrepancies between the story-book persona of George and the real-life character of her creator. But if Blyton actually DID feel she was transexual herself, then maybe her exploration of this idea, through the character of George, was the only way she could find to express herself and her difficulties in accepting a female role. Of course this is pure speculation - but it's a distinct possibility. From the foregoing, the argument definitely points to George being "born in the wrong body" and therefore transexual. As a twelve-year-old in the mid-fifties, by the age of thirty medical treatment would have been available to her, and she may well have opted for it. Transexualism is not something people grow out of! Or, of course, she might have decided to make the best of things and continue living life as a female. Two last points: 1. Transexualism has nothing whatsoever to do with homosexuality. They should never be confused, one with the other. George could be transexual, as I believe she is, and be either straight or gay like the rest of the population. 2. Transexualism is a known medical condition. There are stringent diagnostic tests (nowadays) and well-documented case histories.
	Fatty says: Hellfire! Methinks you need to get out more! You are reading far too much in what is in effect, a harmless set of imaginary kids. No wonder Enid didn't want criticism from anyone over twelve! :-)
April 14, 2010 – rogoz says: It's clear Blyton didn't want Georgina thinking as a typical boy [transsexual]. Secret Trail has Georgina saying: 'We shan’t have any adventures at all if the boys don’t come,’ she said, in a small voice' and later on when she and Anne struck trouble: 'I wish the boys were here! They’d know what to do, they would have some good plan!' This shows up Georgina with a complete lack of masculine confidence.
April 15, 2010 – Rory says: Actually, Fatty, I get out plenty. I thought the comments, and especially the medical details, might be of interest - as it was the subject being discussed. Many of your contributors here are over 12, surely? Anyway, no problem, I'll keep out of the discussion.
	Bets says: No need to keep out of the discussion, Rory - Fatty just has a sense of humour that he tends to employ at all times!
April 16, 2010 – Nigel Rowe says: I must say, I often have a chuckle at Fatty's replies! It is quite amazing how he often says what I have been thinking! I found your post interesting, Rory, but I think that maybe sometimes it is easy to focus on things that I am sure Enid never intended! I imagine that that is down to the power of Enid's writing, in making us believe that her characters are, in fact, real people.
	Fatty says: Maybe you need to stay in more, Nigel! Glad to see that you get out plenty, Rory. I was only pulling your leg! Keep writing to us, old thing ;-)
April 16, 2010 – Rory says: I have only just discovered this site, and found all the speculation and questions/answers very interesting. My post was a point of view - and since none of us can possibly know what was in EB's mind, it's as valid as anyone else's. All the other speculations and justifications for apparent mistakes or anachronisms are fascinating to read. Clearly the books and the author are so well-loved that every detail is minutely examined and commented on. I shall continue to browse these pages.
April 17, 2010 – Nigel Rowe says: I agree, Rory; I too find all the speculation interesting. I am sure we are all pleased that you intend to continue to browse these pages. I, for one, find your posts fascinating. I also find Stephen Isabirye's posts fascinating too. He might well mercilessly plug his book, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage, but he still manages to entertain a number of us in the process. We are indeed fortunate to have some educated people amongst our subscribers. I too, shall continue to browse these pages.
May 17, 2010 – Christine says: Hi, I keep coming across this forum while googling other things and love reading your discussions, but felt compelled to comment on this one. To those asking 'what is wrong with being gay' I don't think there is anything wrong, but what I think outrages people is that you are labelling an 11 year old child as being gay. An 11 year old from an era when puberty was significantly later than now and 11 was still very much a child. Keep in mind that she was a female child in a time when boys did have advantages not allowed to girls like extra freedom, not having to make their own beds or help do housework (regularly mentioned in Enid Blyton's books) - who wouldn't choose to be a boy! I would be horrified to see such sexuality pushed on an 11 year old child of today, to consider it for an 11 year old child in Enid Blytons time is ludicrous.
May 17, 2010 – Christine says: "Are there any stories out there about what happened to them when they grew up?" Sadly (because I personally hate peple picking up the characters and changing them to suit their own style of writing) there is a series of next generation Famous Fives, very politically correct and up to date in both book and TV form. George has married (!) and has an Anglo Indian daughter named Jyoti (aka Jo), Anne is a Californian Art dealer with a Malibu styled daughter Allie, Dick's son Dylan loves the Japanese stockmarket and Max fits in somewhere (Julian's son?) also called 'Cole' in some variations and they have a dog called Timmy.
October 18, 2011 – Leanne says: Hi, I am kind of sorry to reopen this thread,but just wanted to say that some of your ideas about "little children" made me laugh. I am 29 but distinctly remember being 11-12 reading Enid Blyton books and I ALWAYS married the characters off to each other and imagined them getting together in the future. Now I may have been a particularly perverted child, but I don't really think so! I think that most kids think a lot more about relationships and romance than you'd think! Think about "Good Wives" (sequel to "Little Women") in which the author apologises for all the romance and "lovering" in the books, stating the apology is for the adults as she knows the "little people" will never make that objection! It is true. And as Enid Blyton never intended to write them as adults there is no actual future for them, so our imagination is all we have! And I say lets use it!
November 5, 2011 – Aggie says: Julian is George's COUSIN! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LOVE YOUR COUSIN! She goes to Gayland's School which meant bright and happy and I would also be a tomboy if girls were still treated so unfairly.
November 6, 2011 – Keona .R.Johny says: Dont make a montain out of a molehill, because Julian was wise, George looked up to him. Nothing big.
August 1, 2016 – Evie Hamada says: This thread is way too long for me to bother reading all of it but I'll throw my opinion into the mix. George being a tomboy certainly doesn't mean she is gay. However, Jeni you have some wrong ideas in my opinion. The Bible says homosexuality is wrong but it also says love thy neighbour, I'm guessing that also means love thy gay neighbour. And as for George being transexual, it seems possible. In one book she says "I won't be a girl; I'm a boy! ", I can relate to this feeling but I grew out of it so maybe George will grow out of it?
	Fatty says: It is a long thread, but if you can't be bothered to read all of it, why comment?!
November 5, 2016 – vanessa says: Was Enid Blyton a Christian? Why did her daughter tell her she was insecure, arrogant and pretentious? It's not understandable and hard to believe that her own DAUGHTER said it. This is what brings about "family understandings" as I call it. I would be happy if she was(her daughter) said it in her mind. I would never say that to my mother. Would you say that to your mother? If you did, what would she do to you.
	Fatty says: I'm no expert on Enid's personal life, but would say she followed Christianity in the main - much as most of the population of the time did. She was baptised in 1910 at Elm Road Baptist church in Beckenham, so was Christened into the Christian faith. In 1916, Enid became a teacher after helping her friend Ida Hunt at Woodbridge Congregational Sunday School, so the Church was obviously an influence in her early years.
February 20, 2017 – Avan N. Cooverji says: The Famous Five tells about the fun and adventure the five children had with their dog Timothy, thats all. If George liked to be counted as a boy, well girls also like to pretend they are princesses but that does not make them so. Why complicate the straightforward stories by surmising about sexuality , romance , religion etc. The Famous Five enjoyed who they were and what they were doing and so did the children who read about them, it is only adults who unnecessarily complicate things instead of accepting the stories in the vein they were written.
	Daisy says: Well said. Enid didn't take criticism from anyone over 12. Her stories were for children. Fatty says: The Famous Five consisted of four children and their dog, Avan! ;-)
February 21, 2017 – Avan N. Cooverji says: Yes, Fatty you are absolutely right. The Famous Five has four children ( Julian, Dick and Anne who are brothers and sister, and their cousin George ) with their dog Timothy whilst the Find Outers are five children and their dog Buster (the combination being two sets of brother and sister duo Larry and Daisy and Pip and Bets). Fatty is their common friend and the leader of the Five Find Outers from the second book of the series, replacing Larry because of his talents and pluck by mutual consent of all the Find Outers.
	Fatty says: It can all get a tad confusing! I have put your post in George's thread to provide continuity.
February 26, 2017 – Beth says: I believe that George was transgender, due to how strongly she objected whenever anyone called her a girl. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if a girl is simply a tomboy, they're perfectly happy to be identified as a girl, as they know they are and don't object to this- they simply act more like a boy, such as taking part in activities normally associated with males and not wearing "girly" clothes like dresses and skirts. The fact that George felt so offended whenever anyone called her a girl and was so pleased when new people thought she was a boy suggests that she was, in fact, transgender and fully identified as male.
February 26, 2017 – Nigel says: George was a figment of Enid's imagination - a character she made up, reputedly based on herself. There is no question of her being 'transgender'. She simply hated being a girl because of the restrictions imposed on female children at that time. She was frustrated because she wasn't allowed out at night and constantly being told she had to make beds etc because she was a girl. She wanted to do things that boys did and because of this she shunned skirts and dresses. Nothing to do with sexuality, just her attitude and make-up.
February 27, 2017 – Jamie says: I think Beth is right, George is so prickly and uncomfortable with herself that she may be potentially transgender while say, Bill Robinson from Malory Towers, despite her name preference, has no questions about her gender identity and is very happily a tomboy girl.
March 4, 2017 – Beth says: Nigel, I see your point, but those who would have given her the restrictions she hated so much already knew she was a girl and wouldn't have changed just because she said otherwise. Don't forget that her cousin Anne, also a girl and fully accepting of the fact that she was, also managed to bypass many of these restrictions without changing a thing. George would have known this and yet she continued to dress and act as a boy anyway, with loud objection whenever anyone got it wrong.
March 31, 2017 – Avan N. Cooverji says: It is almost unbeleivable what people read into the simple adventure stories of Enid Blyton by thinking of some characters having gay or lesbian tendencies when nothing of the sort is implied or actually happening. These are young kids just having fun and girls and boys do have favourites amongst themselves for whom they would go that little bit extra. Most girls like to be Teachers Pet and Tom Boys which have no sexual overtones. Thats all there is to it and nothing more. Just enjoy the liveliness and leave all these absurd and serious issues and do not create problems and impressions where there are none.
	Fatty says: Couldn't agree with you more, Avan.
April 16, 2017 – Beth says: Yet, it is implied. George was very happy whenever someone used male pronouns in reference to her. I wouldn't say this is a problem or a serious issue, either- just a debate.
January 4, 2018 – Bea says: First off, I would like to thank the owner of this forum for keeping this time capsule open and running, and flowing with such lively discussions! I have come across this forum in happenstance, but I am grateful I did! Second, I would like to thank "Scampigirl" for her courageous and insightful post back in 2009. Throwing interesting literary curveballs for thought and discussion at a time when these subjects of sexuality, gender, identity, and the different kinds of love were still not accepted or understood as they are now increasingly in our Western society. And finally, thanks to "Beth" for catapulting this discussion smack bang in the open, progressive, and thoughtful era we are fortunate enough to live in currently. I have read this chain from 2006/7 when it first started to the last post in 2017, and it's been *fascinating* to witness evolution of the conversation - in terms of language, definition, vocabulary, and tone - for the better. I am not an expert in Enid Blyton by any means, but her books always brought me joy aplenty. I hold perhaps a controversial view in that I think children are innately more sexually (applying the term here in its widest of definitions) "aware" than we as adults are keen to give them credit. I know I certainly was, even though I happily lacked the knowledge or awareness of what "attraction" or "feelings" really were (including - and importantly - what these meant in relation to my own identity), and these became more apparent naturally as I grew through puberty. As a disclaimer: I am in NO way saying that we should "adultise" our children, I am merely making the additional point that talking about George's potential sexuality or gender identification can also be separated and spoken about distinctly from "love" or her (their?) desire. These are not mutually conjoined subjects, although related. Regardless, thank you to all the contributors! It has been a heartwarming read to see how far we as a society have moved forward in accepting discussion and dialogue through the past decade! Many blessings for this happy new year!
	Fatty says: Thank you, Bea, for a most interesting post. I can certainly agree with you regarding children's awareness - I fell in love with a girl in my class when I was 10. I had no idea why I had these feelings towards her. I sent her a Valentine's card and she said her father told her to keep it forever as it was her first. I wonder if she did. Thanks for your kind comments about this website. We all wish you and everyone a happy new year.
July 31, 2019 – Andrea says: I believe there is no such thing as a tomboy. Why can't girls have short hair/not wear dresses? If they are more comfortable in pants and shirts, are they automatically tomboys? They are still girls.
	Buster says: Tom boy is a term that was used when Enid wrote these books, for girls who preferred to wear trousers etc. These days girls wear trousers all the time, so the term is really out-dated now. In Enid's day girls didn't wear trousers normally, just dresses/skirts.
August 9, 2019 – Lucy says: Yes, I agree with Buster. Loads of models have short hair (it's really stylish) and most girls wear pants anyway. I myself am more of a 'jeans girl'.
August 9, 2019 – Jocelyn Ford says: Just because George hated being called a girl and liked to be mistaken for a boy doesn't mean she has to be transgender. She was just a rebel and rebelled in every way possible against the unfair rules and restrictions placed on her merely because she was a girl. Why does Anne always do all the 'house' tasks like cleaning and preparing meals and washing up, it is because she likes it. She never feels used, she feels useful. George has other talents and those make her feel useful. It's pretty sad that we live in a world where if we are just a bit different we must fight to be our own unique selves without someone coming along and dismissing us with a label. Who cares about sexual orientation anyway. Personally I think when George grew up she was quite happy with her own company (and Timmy's of course).
	Fatty says: Couldn't agree more with you, Jocelyn.
October 11, 2019 – William Graham says: It's best that one interprets both ‘The Famous Five' books and the ‘Bible' within the character and inspiration of both their Authors; then, one will come to appreciate, understand and benefit from their work as they intended it should be used. PS: As regards the Bible; never judge a book by its cover!
November 20, 2019 – Javier says: Hello everyone. After reading this thread, which has been going on for more than 10 years, I was negatively surprised at some of the comments that people posted on it. First of all, I do not understand why people react so strongly to suggestions that George may be gay or transgender. I have read other threads in which people discuss the topic of "who will marry whom", and some of the suggestions are as far fetched as the ones discussed in this thread. However, I have never seen such strong reactions in the other threads. I personally never thought that George was gay or transgender. Neither did I think that George was straight. We really do not know. She is just a fictional character who portrays a girl. It really worries me to see such strong reactions to suggestions of homosexuality or transgenderism. I think this webpage is read by many girls and boys throughout the world and these comments may give the wrong impression that homosexuality or transgenderism is not as good as heterosexuality. And this is completely wrong. Some human beings are straight; others are gay; others bisexual, others transgender. And there are many other possibilities. They are all natural and acceptable. I am sure we would all agree that we should treat each other with compassion and understanding, regardless of our opinions and beliefs.
	Buster says: Thanks for your posting. I think this will have to be the end of this discussion now. George is only a character in a book. A book that was first published in 1942, a completely different world in which we live in today. Fatty says: I agree, Buster. Ten years is long enough to discuss something that is fictional and any discussion on this is pure speculation. Enjoy the Famous Five as Enid intended you to. George was a tom-boy, to read anything else into this is nonsense.
July 15, 2020 – Anonymous says: Enid Blyton is my favourite writer.
November 2, 2020 – Arka says: Hi! This topic is about childishness, which George has shown in the series. I know many of you will say, "When George behaved in a childish manner? Instead, she was very brave and strong. But, Anne was childish as she cried so much". First of all, crying does not fully mean he/she is childish in manner. Yes, it is a part of childishness, but a very small one. To me, Anne's childishness was a bit better than George's childishness. Anne only cried and she was not brave. But, George was even worse. In Five go to Mystery Moor, she did not talk to Henry and talked rudely to her, as she did not like her (I am not at all saying Henry was right or wrong). It is ok to dislike someone, but to not talk to her and answer her rudely is quite wrong. That was why, when Julian decided to take Henry and when George said she can't come if Henry was to go with them (I know she did not say this particularly, but she meant to and knew that Julian would understand this), Julian left her. The reason was that she was behaving like a child as not to go if someone she dislike would go with them. Even Henry was sensible in this point, so when Julian and Dick asked her if she would like to come with them, she did not ask if George was going or not but said 'yes' at once. This same thing she did when Berta was in Kirrin Cottage (Five have Plenty of Fun). I am not saying she should not dislike anyone, but being sensible is no harm. So, do you agree? Thank You.
	Daisy says: Enid I think wanted George's character to be interesting, and to have flaws, as many of us do. So why not write them in the books, which Enid did, for many of her characters. That's what made the books so enjoyable to read.
November 5, 2020 – Lisa says: George was an only child who was lonely and she didn't have any friends. I think Alf, the fisher boy was about her only friend apart from beloved Timmy, her pet dog and best friend. Having a scientist father who was not only busy but also bad-tempered certainly didn't make things easy for George. I see George as a girl who was much neglected by her father though her mother, Aunt Fanny tried her best to shower as much love as she could on George. It was a good thing that George could see that her father was inventing good things for mankind and maybe that was why she didn't make such a big fuss about the lack of father's love. When a child is an only child who keeps to herself or himself and who lacks father's love, it is understandable for the child to behave childishly I think. I am not advocating that George should behave in a childish manner and expect things to go her way all the time. I am merely trying to understand why George behaved the way she behaved. It was a good thing that Julian, Dick and Anne came over to Kirrin Cottage to keep her company and together they managed to solve many a mystery. Though George's character did improve as the series developed, I do think that George sometimes couldn't help but behaved like how she should as that is what her character is all about - having good and not so good attributes just like everyone else.
November 2, 2021 – Yancy says: Well, I think it's pointless trying to analyse every line to find an answer for one simple reason: lack of information. The author never gave us enough canon information that could allude to any romance in this series or any others (as far as I've read her work till now, which is F5 and S7). It's an interesting angle that many fan-fiction writers have used but it doesn't really affect the canon series much as they have already been concluded, so no development will come out of it.
July 28, 2022 – Ovid says: As a trans guy who's related to George a lot before his transition I'd like to believe he's trans. This may not be canon or intended, but god does it come off that way. Cheers!
	Fatty says: Anything that helps us deal with personal matters has to be a bonus, Ovid.
August 2, 2022 – Barbara Cox says: Fatty and Ovid, I personally am wary of putting modern concepts onto the past. Even if George did want to be an actual boy, the 1940s were before blocker drugs etc so she was going to um - makes chest and bottom motions with my hands - whether she wanted to or not.
	Daisy says: We must remember also that during these early years many little girls were tom-boys, many children didn't have TV's but just read adventure books, and they wanted adventures like boys did.
January 1, 2023 – A human says: Wow, this thread was amasing to read! I'm so glad who ever did, kept it open for this long. Personally I see George as transgender, they (George) wanted to be a boy. This is really all the reasoning you need. it's annoying how everyone (even those who believe George is transgender) misgender them and use "she her" Thanks again! :D.
	Fatty says: Personally, I don't believe George was anything but a tomboy. Just because she wanted to be "better than a boy" and do what was in the 1940s, traditionally boys' activities, has nothing to do with her sexuality. However, the beauty of Enid's books is that we can believe whatever we wish to - especially if it helps us. Henry (Mystery Moor) was another tomboy who just preferred doing boys' things rather than playing with dolls. It must be remembered that when these books were written back in the 40s to the 60s, children's roles were mainly defined by their gender - and many rebelled, including Enid herself - who said that George was based on herself.
June 19, 2023 – Chris says: Of course George is transgender! Google at: Famous five George and you will see many topics about George who is Trans. Its 2023 now, not 2007 anymore! Now we have twitter, social media, Reddit, Quora and the George is Trans discussion is all over the place. Time to wake up people! Its shocking that people here are gay and Trans fobia! The world has changed and EB was her time far forward. George was maybe gay but its way more likely that she was a He and Trans person. Its not shocking that George was gay but its shocking that all those people here are anti Rainbow color. Shame on the haters!
	Daisy says: Enid wrote the first Famous Five book in 1942. It was a different world back then. Enid wrote George to be a tom boy. George is a fictional character from a book, so I don't think any of us can question a character who is not real. Let's just enjoy the books as they were written.
June 24, 2023 – Barbara Anne Cox says: There's a difference between wanting to be equal with boys and wanting to actually be a boy. I think feminism's goal is to liberate little boys as well as little girls, but we seem to have had to work with girls first or least they have been an easier target.
	Fatty says: Yes, not every tomboy becomes transgender!
July 5, 2023 – Joanna says: You're right Fatty I was a tomboy who hated dresses now I am about to iron a dress for a Christmas in July party.
August 1, 2023 – Tharin says: It's amazing that this topic has been open since 2007 / the time I was 16. It's probably not of much value to type up a comment, since I don't think I have anything to add that hasn't been said. You could make arguments for and against George being a transsexual. All I know is that I first read the Famous Five when I was 8 or 9 years old, so around 1999 / 2000 and it was the first time I really deeply related to a character. Back then there was no (public) trans discussion or even really much specifically for tomboys to relate to. I wish I could know how Enid Blyton would have written George as an adult. I suspect that she would have written George as a masculine woman. But then again, the universe is set in a permanent children's age, since they are children's books, so in this premise there will never be an adult George.

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