| September 15, 2008 – Allen says: Both reviewers of “Five Are Together Again” point out, quite rightly, the plot similarities to “The Rilloby Fair Mystery. ” I think they might also have mentioned the real originator of this particular plot device – namely, Edgar Allan Poe in his 1841 classic “The Murders in the Rue Morgue. ” This is acknowledged as the story that created the modern mystery/detective genre and surely deserves an acknowledgement. There is probably an entire article waiting to be written that explores Enid Blyton’s inspirations and external influences. For example, others have probably noticed that a “Famous Five” featured in the Billy Bunter stories some decades before Julian, Dick, Anne George and Timmy embarked on their first adventure. But I wonder how many realise that the Billy Bunter stories also gave us the original Secret Seven? A series of 10 stories published in 1934, in “The Magnet, ” told how a secret society, “The Secret Seven, ” fought back against a new headmaster’s tyrannical regime at Greyfriars School. Congratulations on this website, by the way, which I am enjoying very much. |
| September 17, 2008 – Nigel Rowe says: [Allen: ] ” I think they might also have mentioned the real originator of this particular plot device – namely, Edgar Allan Poe in his 1841 classic “The Murders in the Rue Morgue. ” I would have, but haven't read this book, Allen. Thanks for pointing it out though. : -). |
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Fatty says: Nigel; you need to read more! ;-) |
| October 8, 2012 – Wooden Spoon says: I am more than surprised that Stephen Isabirye hasn't jumped on this thread. For those of you who haven't heard of him,he has many,many theories on inspirations and prophesies concerning Blyton's writings. |
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Fatty says: Hmm, I'll let this one through as we have the power to nip it in the bud should the need arise. I wonder if we know the holder of the spoon? |
| October 15, 2012 – rogoz says: Ten years earlier, Ransome had published the highly popular Swallows and Amazons which could have been a model for the first Five book. It was complete with Tomboy, boats, Island and Treasure. |
| December 22, 2012 – Stephen Isabirye says: Wooden Spoon, thanks for mentioning my name in relationship to some of Enid Blyton's inspirations. Yes, Enid Blyton's inspirations behind writing her books are plenty. They include Mark Twain, Titanic and others mentioned in my book. Since writng my book, I have provisionally discovered others, including John Steinbeck. I will be discussing these discoveries in my thread on my book as well as other related threads in The Enid Blyton Society forums. |
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Fatty says: And here is the thread to which Stephen referred. |
| June 26, 2017 – Paul says: If you could leave all the troubles of our real world for Blytonia, where would you choose to live? For me, I'd live on Cherry-Tree Farm or near the Enchanted Wood. |
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