| December 27, 2008 – Ankita Maity says: Both of these "clubs" like solving mysteries----but which one do you think is the better of the two?? I myself think that the "Find-Outers"are better than the Famous Five. |
| December 28, 2008 – Philip Mannering says: First of all, I don't think the Famous Five "liked" solving mysteries: they just fell into adventures! I don't know if they had any mysteries to solve. In answer to the question, Five Find-Outers everytime! These books were so, so much better than the books of the famous and pompous kids. Just my opinion, though! :-). |
| December 28, 2008 – Tuba says: Surely Five Find outers and the dog [FFO] are better than Famous Five [FF]. They have such tough competition. FFO has Mr Goon. But the FF have some good supporting characters like Jo, Sooty and Richard. But the mystery series with disguises and Bets [she is 10 times better than Anne] is a winner all the way. Also Fatty their leader is 10 times better than Julian. Timmy and Buster both are equally good and George is one thing which FF has and FFO does not have. Both of them are excellent but FFO is better. This is what I think. A very interesting topic. I wish I was in Bets place though she is 2 years older to me when she is 9. |
| December 29, 2008 – Philip Mannering says: Tuba, I can tell you that while the FFOandD series doesn't have George; it has something much better - Fatty! :D |
| December 29, 2008 – Tuba says: I know that Pip but no one in FFO has Georges character and Island but the plots of FFO are better than FF plots. Also the FF are quite serious. |
| December 30, 2008 – thire says: No one can be compared with my George and, yeah, Fatty is really great. |
| December 31, 2008 – Lithorite says: Well I agree with Tuba the plots in FFOA are better and the kids are more actively invovled in solving the mystery. List of clues and suspects, the elimination of suspects and all. That was the really fun part. |
| December 31, 2008 – Alicia says: Five Find-Outers, definitely! As Phillip said, I don't think the Famous Five liked solving mysteries, they just stumbled into adventures. FF are actually pretty serious, many of the plots are similar, Timmy doesn't perform any crazy exploits, the villains aren't belivable. The Find-Outers are less serious tbh. And I love the way Buster irritates and agonizes Mr. Goon and nips his ankles. The clues, suspects, elimination of suspects and piecing together the entire crime is so exciting. |
| February 18, 2009 – Raff says: I prefer the Five Find Outers. They are so cool. |
| February 19, 2009 – hope189 says: I prefer the Five find-outers and dog. Those books are much more realistic. |
| May 28, 2009 – Mini says: Love both!!! But if I had to pick one. Five find outers and dog! |
 |
Fatty says: You could tell us why! |
| August 15, 2009 – Mini says: I prefer the Five Find Outers but the Famous Five is right behind. It's only that I like the FFO and Fatty dresses up and the plot isn't so easy to predict. My real name is Daisy. Though but my favourite character is Bets. |
| September 10, 2009 – Liz says: Definitely the Five Find-Outers are better. The characters are much better drawn and more likeable (Bets, for instance, is nowhere near as spineless as Anne, her Famous Five counterpart). The mysteries in the FFO, in my opinion, are a lot more inventive. Looks like a lot of us are in agreement over this topic. BUT, I would have to say that I enjoy the Barney mysteries even more than either FFO or FF. The dialogues are so believable and entertaining, the characters are very easy to relate to, they all play a more or less equal role in solving the mysteries, and on top of it all the plots are absolutely gripping!! |
| September 19, 2009 – April June says: I agree with you, Mini (or Daisy -- which name do you prefer to be called by?). The Five Find-Outers are better than the Famous Five, with their better plots and realistic events that happen. The Five Find-Outers' plots are more unpredictable, and Mr Goon and disguises add humor to the stories. The Famous Five, on the other hand, is more serious, and the characters -- apart from George, Jo, Timmy, and perhaps a few others -- have weaker personalities. But then, that's just my opinion, and the Famous Five is still a good series! I do miss George's island and fierce, tomboy-ish personality in the Five Find-Outers, but Fatty and his disguises is just as good. I hope to read more of the Barney series, for everyone says it's great, but my chances here in the orphanage are. . . Somewhat less than if my parents were still alive. However, all the Enid Blyton books I read are wonderful and, as Liz put it, "absolutely gripping!". |
| September 19, 2009 – Alicia says: I think I am one of the only Blyton fans who hates the Famous Five. The first few books are quite good, but later on the series become boring and most of the focus is on George usually. And George is stupid, "I'm really a boy born with boobs, so refer to me as a girl and I'll knock your teeth in, you barmy!" personality annoys me. And Anne. God, if that girl never spoke a word and never got mixed with their adventures, this world would be free of her bawling. And Julian? Well he seems bearble, considering he has certain flaws that remind me of my mum. And Dick is just well. Personality-less. We just know he's loyal and he happens to like food. |
| December 28, 2009 – Wan Yuen Mun says: No need to think anything else. Of course it's the Five Find outers- and Dog! I really admire them especially Fatty and Ern's poetry! |
| January 2, 2010 – Arjun says: I would go with The Five Find Outers because I feel Mr. Goon, The comical Policeman and his ever fun nephew, Ern Goon are the ones who add a bit of comedy to Readers! Whereas, only George in the Famous Five, is the one who is stubborn and makes the story comical. |
| March 13, 2010 – Sarah says: I Think the Five Find Outers is much better than the Famous Five. Fatty is much better than Julian. Julian is so bossy and never gives anyone a chance. Bets is a bit of a baby but Anne is even more babyish. Bets can solve mysteries but Anne can't. Most 10 year olds are not like that. Also Anne should argue more when the others tease her. |
| May 2, 2011 – kseniya says: I like the two of them it's a hard chose but if I had to pick I'll pick Five Find Outers and dog. |
| May 9, 2011 – Julia says: My sister Kseniya says Find Outers are a lot better I agree Fatty is a lot better than Julian Julian is very bossy and sometimes rude and Fatty is kind and loyal I think Larry is a lot better than Dick Dick doesent even know whats a clue! I cant say anything about George I think she is a bit better than pip who is a bit not nice to Bets Anne is so not good Bets is way better than her ike in the mystery of Banshee Towers when the machine started to scream bets felt frightened but did not run of I bet Anne had and to say about the two dogs I think Timmy is better than Buster but still ill pick the Find outers! |
|
Fatty says: Haven't you heard of punctuation? :-( |
| August 22, 2011 – Cher says: Well. First time I read the book was in 1999, when I was still at the junior high school. I read Five Find-Outers-and Dog and feel so interest to them. And after that, I take the Famous Five one. But I don't know... I prefer Five Find-Outers-and Dog than Famous Five. Maybe the storyline is more tense and interesting (it's my oppinion ^^). |
 |
Bets says: I completely agree! |
| August 22, 2011 – Beth says: That's an interesting question! Probably I know more about the Famous Five and have read more of those books because they were some of the first Enid Blyton I read when I was young. I got into the Five Find Outers a bit later (simply because we didn't have them earlier!) So I feel like I know the FF better but I don't know which I like better! Probably from a critically analysing adult point of view the FFO do have better characterisation etc but then I always did like Jo (and George, for that point too but that was when I was young!) I made paper dolls of the FF, so they must have been important but then I drew pictures of the FFO, too (sometimes in such disguises that only I could tell which was which). Interesting question though, but the Mistletoe Farm books were and are my far and away favourite Blytons. :-) |
| August 25, 2011 – Ella says: Wow! I love the mistletoe farm books too! same there's only three! In my opinion I prefer the Famous Five books, though I don't know why, but The Five Find Outers are indeed very good, as they actually have to work out a mystery. |
| January 23, 2013 – Ankita Maity says: Yesterday, I was re-reading all my favourite Enid Blyton books, and when I came to "The Mystery of the Hidden House", I suddenly came to a stop and remembered this topic, which I had created over four years ago! I was so surprised to find that so many people had responded to my little question and was shocked to find the number of viewpoints that could exist! I still think that the Five Find-Outers (not to mention Buster) are better in most aspects, mainly because the books are somehow more fun and their adventures are more believable, but the Famous Five are pretty good, too! One thing I do know for sure, though, is that I grew up with Enid Blyton books. They have always played a major role in shaping my childhood and I don't think that anything will ever be able to change that! No matter how many new stories I read, or how much I grow up, I think that Enid Blyton will forever occupy a core position in all of our hearts. That is how much these Mystery stories have meant to me! :) |
|
Fatty says: Delighted to hear it, Ankita |
| February 11, 2013 – Gaurav Pratap Singh says: No one on this page says that they like FF better than FFO - ironical when FF is supposed to be Enid's most famous series! My vote goes with FFO too, for the reasons given by the others. I think Enid used to write FF, when she wanted to give her grey cells a rest and when she got recharged then she got back to FFO, Adventure series, Malory, St clare etc. Just imagine if Fatty was in FF, George will never have got realms of pages she got. Even Beth would have given her a run for her money. The other characters in FF besides George and Timmy were paper thin. I suppose FF was written for a younger age group. Even now as a very mature - 34 yr old , I reread the FFO and Adventure series, but FF is a nono. |
| February 16, 2013 – Regan says: Oh I had a nice long comment that would not post for me. Looks like all of those books have brought back lots of memories. I too have all of the Famous Five and Secret Seven books. I bought them second hand after I sold lots of Barbie dolls years ago. Last Christmas I came across Animal Farm and read it again- it is one of those classics. Hope your Christmas preparations are coming along well. I am on holidays so I'm enjoying myself. All things nice. |
|
Fatty says: Christmas? Are you for real?! |
| May 17, 2014 – Hammy says: I guess I am the only one who prefer FF more than FFO. First of all, I read FF before I have heard of FFO. Besides, I don't quite like the way the FFO planting false clues. It's a bit too much. Julian is more polite and better behaved (though no one can doubt that Fatty has marvelous manners when he wants to!) George is certainly NOT claiming herself to be a boy with boops. Some girls can be a bit boyish and rough and at that era, only boys are allowed to do "rough" activities so George naturally considers herself as a boy. As for comapring Bets and Anne, they show more similarity than differences! Both thought of ideas which provided solution to the mystery, both love dolls and both were willing to "do their part". Famous Five for me forever! P. S. : That's not to say I don't like FFO. I am trying my Very Best to collect all. Very Difficult Task. |
| July 4, 2014 – Farwa says: I think Famous Five is better, because they always stumbled into mysteries, and I like the way they solve the situations. The Five Find-Outers were always prepared for them but the Famous Five weren't. All the same, the Five Find-Outer series is also very nice because it is funny and intelligent as well. |
| January 27, 2017 – Avan Cooverji says: The Five Find Outers and Dog is far better than the Famous Five. The characters are more realistic, funny and really clever. The stories hold your interest till the end, as after a while the Famous Five become dull and boring. Goon, Ern, Sid and Perce make it all so lively and entertaining and not so goody-goody as Julian and Anne who are a colourless personality. Of course Fatty is in a class by himself and even at the age of 74, I cannot stop reading these stories which I started to read when I was eleven. |
 |
Buster says: So pleased to hear you still enjoying these stories. |
| April 18, 2017 – Cyrus M Gonda says: I have a similar question as someone asked a few years back. Why despite almost every reader on this thread preferring the Five Find Outers to the FF, is the Famous five still enormously the more popular of the two. In fact, many people identify Blyton with the Famous Five. I can read the FFO over and over again but the same does not go for the FF. Maybe it is because a comfort zone is established as all the mysteries happen in Peterswood, or more likely because there is rarely any mystery to be solved in the FF. Is the FF series more popular because there were more of them and the stories longer. I cannot think of any other reason. Would appreciate what others have to say on this. |
 |
Daisy says: I think Enid Blyton is known by most people from her books The Famous Five and maybe Noddy. We now have adult versions of the Famous Five, which are not to the liking of most people, but they are selling. So even though the F.O's are liked by many people, they're not the books that spring to mind when people think of Blyton books. |
| July 5, 2017 – Nisha says: I found a book called The Find-Outers-The Mystery of the Strange Messages. But I remember reading a book called The Five Find Outers-The Mystery of the Strange Sessages. Are they both the same- THE FIND OUTERS and THE FIVE FIND OUTERS? |
|
Buster says: You can still buy most of Enid Blyton's books now, including The Find-Outers, Famous Five and more. |
| July 10, 2017 – Nigel says: Nisha, Buster must have been thinking of Goon's ankles as he seemed to miss the point of your query! The full title of Peterswood's young detectives is The Five Find-Outers and Dog. The publishers of the book to which you refer have obviously abbreviated the name to The Find Outers. It is certainly the same book - although it refers to Messages, not Sessages - I imagine that is a typo that you made! |
|
Fatty says: Thanks, Nigel. Buster's mind does wander if Goon's about! |
| July 21, 2017 – Steven says: Well, I'm only toward the end of Bk 1 in the Find Outers series, so I obviously have to give it more of a chance, but (frankly) I'm bored stiff so far. Sorry, not trying to be a stick in the mud, but I'm really disappointed so far. Setting and scenery is like another character in a story, and an extremely important one at that -- it helps draw you in, giving that all important "escape factor" to the book (which is a hallmark of any good story). Famous5 had some really cool settings: secret passageways, old castles and dungeons, storm-tossed seas crashing upon island shores, sunken treasure ships, smugglers' caves, spooky abandoned railways, creepy moors and mysterious planes flying overhead. But in Find Outers I just get a humdrum neighborhood and a couple of garden sheds! Well, I know some of you might be screaming at your computer screens right now, "But you have no idea about the really awesome stuff that happens later in the series." Yeah, okay, fair enough, I'll stick with it a while. But so far, forgive me for spelling it out: B-O-R-I-N-G-! :-/. |
|
Buster says: If this is the first time you have picked up one of these Mystery books, then please do stick at it. The first book isn't one of the best, but remember these are mystery books, not adventure books as the Five books are. It really is a great series and as you learn more about the characters, I'm sure you'll love them. |
| July 23, 2017 – Avan J Cooverji says: Steven says he found the first book of the Five FindOuters and Dog series very boring. Well , all the books in the series are not of equal interest, and the first book, namely " The Mystery Of The Burnt Cottage ' is not the best guide to what is to follow. So if Steven would try reading the following , may be he would change his mind as they are really very nice reads. So would suggest he read:--- 1) The Mystery Of The Invisible Thief, 2) The Mystery Of the Strange Messages 3) The Mystery Of Holly Lane, 4) Mystery Of The Spiteful letters (preferably in that order) and see how he likes them. But it also should be understood that these stories are for children mainly, though adults and old people also enjoy reading them, ( I do at the age of 74 ) and are of happenings in a typical English village where peoples lives are quite simple and regulated and very different from what occurs in big towns and cities. And as he becomes more familiar with the children and their ways and village life, he may come to really enjoy them. I write this as I do hope he does not miss out on what is very enjoyable due to an impression formed from only one book which I also think is not the best one of the series. |
|
Fatty says: I always advise reading Enid's series in chronological order. That way you see how the characters develop. The books you mention are up there with the best, Avan. As Buster says, stick with them, Steven, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
By the way, Avan, I have moved your post to the Find-Outers' thread, where Steven posted his comment. For some reason you posted in Miscellaneous Blyton! |
| January 6, 2020 – Anil Harlalka says: I think both are equally enjoyable, but having read all of them I think one should start with the FF and then move on to FFO as one grows older. |
| February 20, 2020 – Joe says: Yes, why is the Famous five series so famous? Addictive characters you will remember for life (esp George, Jo). Why is the Find-Outers series better? Better stories, great mysteries, funny. |
| March 9, 2020 – Renatha says: I base this on how I perceived the books 30 years ago. FF was the second Blyton series I read after Secret Seven, and I started reading FFO only years later. Story-wise, I prefer FF. Sure, I cannot instantly recall FF stories from their titles (who can?), but once I have my "oh, it's that one" moment, the plots (and most scenes and names) come back easily, even now. I find the stories more memorable. That said, I would go with FFO for "mysteries". I remember not expecting the outcomes in some of the books and thinking, whoa, what a good resolution! Granted, I couldn't be older than 12, but still, it's quite an achievement for a series where the bad guys seem to do their best to leave glues behind. |
| May 23, 2020 – Evangeline says: I was surprised to see this thread so heavily weighted in favour of FFO (although, perhaps the results would be different had this been placed in the FF discussion section?) so allow me to chime in with some support for FF. While I enjoy FFO, I have read each FF book far more times and I think they're better for several reasons. First of all I disagree that FFO has better characters. Fatty is a well written character, but the others in FFO don't really have much personality (sorry Enid) they are just there to fill space and obey Fatty's orders to help him solve the mystery. But in FF, each character is very strong and distinct- Julian is the responsible leader, Dick is the funny and cheeky one, George is an icon all around and Anne is sweet and timid. Also, if we're comparing 'counterparts'- I was shocked to see all the criticism of my girl Anne, she's funny and kind and although she does get scared in the adventures she never backs down and she always does things she is afraid to do if it means she can help the others. She's better than Bets any day. And as for the leaders, I think Julian is better than Fatty. Both are annoying to some degree but Fatty is more condescending than Julian. In FFO Fatty always has the limelight and the others just fade into the background and do his bidding, but in FF all characters play an equal role in the mystery, not just Julian. Finally, I prefer FF because the locations and holiday scenarios are always so idyllic- FFO always took place in the same village from what I remember. |
|
Daisy says: Nice to read your thoughts on this, Evangeline. |
| November 2, 2020 – Frederick says: Seriously guys, this discussion is pointless. I do think that the Five Find Outers and the dog are THE BEST. This is the end. No reason needed. |
| November 3, 2020 – Arka says: Seriously Frederick, your answer is POINTLESS. If you like Find-Outers the best, that does not mean everyone would like it. I like both but I would prefer The Famous Five more. So, will I say,"Guys, it is pointless. I like The Famous Five best, so this is the end and no reason needed. Of course, Find-Outers would be defeated."? Of course not! Your answer should be from your point of view. Not like "this is the end. No reason needed". |
| November 3, 2020 – Lisa says: Well, I daresay this page is set up for fans to put forward their views pertaining to the series and characters which they like or dislike. I am sure there are some fans ( like yours truly ) who love to have this opportunity to discuss matters pertaining to the series like the good and bad characters, the plot or maybe the setting etc. There is always something to discuss as all of us see and perceive things differently. Therefore, the discussion of The Five Find-outers and Dog or any other Enid Blyton's series is certainly fruitful. It is not entirely pointless, Frederick. Maybe you are not keen to discuss therefore you see it as pointless. But to those of us who like to share our two cents' worth, I believe that discussion helps us to enjoy the stories even more than before. I stand corrected should my view differ. |
|
Buster says: You speak for many, Lisa. It's lovely to hear everyone's views of Enid's wonderful books. |
| November 6, 2020 – Arka says: I totally agree with Lisa. This site is to discuss and put forward their own opinions, which will, differ with each person. Coming back to the topic, I must say, Famous Five and The Find - Outers cannot be compared. The main reason is their genre. The Famous Five's genre is adventures and a touch of mysteries, and The Find - Outers' genre is mysteries and adventures (in a few books, like The Mystery of the Missing Necklace and The Mystery of the Hidden House). Another reason they cannot be compared are their characters. Most of the people say that every Famous Five character can be compared with every Find -Outers'. But in my point, no one can be compared with each other, except Bets and Anne, and Timmy and Buster. The reason is that, they are too different. Coming back to the question about which is better, then I think I would say The Famous Five (MIND YOU, FAMOUS FIVE IS ONLY MY OPINION). I like Famous Five more because of the story lines, the characters and tricks and facts in this series. Talking about story lines, well you might like The Find - Outers (me too), but for me out of these two, I would choose Famous Five. I mean, The Find - Outers took most of the book to solve their mystery, but The Famous Five's adventures were actually took place for about 2 - 3 chapters, but it gave so much excitement, that I cannot say that in words. Coming to characters, I am sure most of you would disagree with me. Talking about leadership, I would say Julian to Fatty (I did not want to compare them, but as I have to say, I will say Julian). To most, Julian is "Mr. Bossy". But to me, he is the best leader of all Enid Blyton leaders (along with Jack from The Secret Series), who can even defeat Fatty' leadership (,in my opinion). I agree with Evangeline that both Fatty and Julian can be annoying at times, but Fatty is more condescending than Julian. In skills too, Julian clearly defeats Fatty (in detective skills, Fatty wins, but in sport and swimming skills, Julian wins). Next, comes Larry/Pip and Dick. To me, if Dick is compared to Larry, I think it will be a draw, but with Pip, Dick would win as he is a better brother than Pip. George and Daisy would be a draw even though George has more positive sides, she had more negative sides too, than Daisy. Coming to Bets and Anne, though both of them are almost equal (about giving ideas to their leaders, crying, playing with dolls etc), I think I would say Bets. I think she is better than Anne in ideas and she talks less stupid things than Anne. Coming to Timmy and Buster, I have no doubt that Timmy would win (in my opinion) as he is stronger and cleverer than Buster. In The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters, Fatty wanted Buster to bite the man he was interviewing in the bus, but gave up the idea as a thought came to him that he might get kicked. But, Timmy could fight with 2 -3 persons, at once (it is stated a hundred times in the series, one of which is Five go on a Hike Together). Also, there were tricks and facts in both FF and FFO series. In tricks, I think FFO wins, but there were fantastic tricks in Famous Five series too (like how to untie a rope and facts about snake in Five have a Wonderful Time). I hope it clears everything. Thank You. |
| December 30, 2021 – Avan N. Cooverji says: I have come across this discussion after a long time. To compare these two series seems a bit futile. This is because one is predominantly an ' Adventure series ' while the other is a 'Mystery solving series'. In the former, , one just follows the plot and ready made entertainment is provided whilst in the Five Find Outers and Dog, you need to work your brains to get to solve it. Also there is much humour in the latter books and the reader feels more involved as it seems he /she is also participating in what is going on. I feel that after a while the Famous Five becomes more repetitive whilst there is always something new to look forward in the Find Outers. So according to me at least, the Famous Five books pales when compared to the Five Find Outers and Dog. |
| January 7, 2022 – Avan N. Cooverji says: The above comparison is mainly about the plot of the stories. Now if we were compare the characters , the Find-Outers and Dog seem to score above the other series. Fatty has an unique charm of his own which is lacking in Julian. Larry is comparable to Dick but Pip is more funny and lively. Ann is too staid , Daisy is lovely and Bets of course is more spirited than Anne. George cannot be compared to any in Find-Outers and Dog in my view, because she is somewhat apart. She is very opinionated and though Fatty too is so, still most readers can easily make allowances for him as he is very endearing unlike George. Coming to the dogs, Timmy is brave and strong but Buster is a darling and the favorite of all and most of us just want to spoil him thoroughly. |
| March 20, 2022 – Anna says: I read FF when I was very young and one or two FFO andDog books. As a kid, you don’t really have a critical mind. I just lapped up everything. And, I loved fairy stories more than mysteries at that time. But now as an adult, re-reading these old stories, I find FFO way, way better. Fatty is truly in a class of his own! In some ways, Fatty reminds of Enid Blyton, she was very a brilliant and well read young lady when she was Fatty’s age (though, I know George is supposed to have been mirrored after her). The only thing I don’t like about FFO is their tampering or hiding evidences from Mr Goon, and their rudeness to him early on in the series. Otherwise, I prefer FFO to FF, and Fatty to everyone else. And just like many others, I’m wondering why is FF more famous, the answer could be most likely that FF is easier for children to read and FF was probably more heavily promoted than FFO books. |
| May 21, 2022 – Nan says: I absolutely ADORE the Five Find-Outers series. For one thing, I love a good detective story, and the Famous Five is a good deal more of an adventure series rather than a mystery one. For another, I think the FFO characters are painted in a far more colourful, three-dimensional manner (for Blyton) compared to the FF ones. Take Bets and Anne, for example. They have many similar traits- a twentieth-century-ish femininity, for example, but where Bets is one of my favourite Blyton characters, I find Anne a little dull. In fact, I think she has more of the traits of a plot device rather than a main character. Then, of course, FFO has Fatty. I actually can't choose between Bets and Fatty in terms of which personality I prefer, but as a book-character, Fatty is definitely Blyton at his best. He is almost as entertaining as Claudine (coming from me this is highest praise) and I simply love the way he is depicted. Julian, I think, is nice but- like all the rest of the Famous Five- a little dull. Pip and Dick, I think, are most similar and I like them both equally- Larry is v interesting too, though all somewhat overshadowed by Fatty and Bets. The only character that could do with a bit of improvement (according to me) is Daisy who is practically non-existent throughout much of the novel. Another plus for me is George, who I don't really like too much. I know it might sound strange in light of her tom-boyish and rebellious nature, but I honestly find her incredibly unfeministic (I know my spell-check does not like this word, and probably grammar geeks don't either but I can't think of an alternative). After all, isn't she always going on about how she wishes she was boy, and how frivolous and materialistic girls are, and how pleased she is when people think she's a boy? Not exactly what you'd expect from a feminist. As for Buster, well, I know this is going to cause a lot of controversy, but I personally think he beats Timmy hollow! And, as if things weren't going better for the FFO, Mr Goon- their foe when they're keeping an eye out for a mystery (or solving one)- is most certainly a friend when it comes to reviews. What with his uproarious remarks, utter stupidity and pomp he's certainly been a cause for much hilarity for me at least, and many of the time I have surprised and puzzled my poor mamma by bursting into fits of laughter that can be heard all the way in the kitchen! |
| June 9, 2022 – Stephen says: I agree pretty wholeheartedly with Nan. George is not a feminist, she hates being a girl. She avoids being feminine at all costs, and dresses like a boy. In my youth, long ago in the Seventies, lots of girls had this tom-boy attitude, up until about the age of 13. In the 1940s, when Enid was writing the FF series, it must have been all the rage to be a tomboy, given that Enid makes George her main character in the FF books. Enid must have thought that this was a selling point for the FF series. The more feminine characters, such as Anne in the FF and Daisy in the FFO, don't play very active roles in the stories, and are only included to give normal girls someone to identify with -- George is a useful character to have in a novel, because there needs to be someone who'll stand up to the rather bossy Julian, but real girls weren't as assertive as George, so it would be difficult for them to identify with George. On the other hand, it's interesting that Enid gives the dog to George -- girls usually like dogs, so for girl readers it softens George's rather off-putting personality (if you're a girl who isn't a tomboy) to have Timmy belong to her, and makes it much harder to dislike her, even if she comes across to the reader as being somewhat unrealistic as a character (i. E. As a bit too 'tomboyish'). Enid was a teacher, so must have known many kids beside her own, and probably based the characters in the FF or FFO on children she had actually known. George is probably a composite of two or three tomboys who Enid had taught. |
| August 22, 2022 – Raghuraman says: FFO is definitely better than FF. Especially for child readers. These days am into graphic novels. Found some for FF. Would love to find FFO in graphic novels too. |
| September 17, 2022 – BookLover says: I haven’t read the Famous Five but nothing can change my opinion that the Five Find Outers are the best!!! I’ve read them a billion times pity there wasn’t more in the series. Fatty is hilarious and so is old clear orf. I always laugh at least 5 times when reading one book! I love the poems, Fatty sound like wonder-boy! I feel like Ern because I might just worship Fatty. Also always almost it’s Bets who helps him solve the mystery with a remark of hers. The Famous five doesn’t seem very famous if you ask me. Five Find Outers forever????!!! |
|
Daisy says: I love the Find-Outers also. But you should read the Famous Five, as they are books of adventure and are very enjoyable. |
| October 7, 2022 – Arka says: Sometimes people forget that there is a very big difference between the Five Find-Outers and Dog and The Famous Five. It is their - genres. The Five Find-Outers, being of mystery genre, can be read often as there are twists, approaches and thinking in it. While the Famous Five, being of adventure and thrilling genre, contains nothing, neither approaches nor thinking. It just has adventure, which gives thrill to the readers, and some twists, along with some suspense. So, if read once, there lays not much point to read it again. On the other hand, the Five Find-Outers and Dog contains some tactics, some thinking and some suspense which makes it worthy to read them over and over again. Plus, the Five Find-Outers also contains humour, which makes it even more worthy to re-read whereas the Famous Five has just adventure. So, what's the point I am trying to make here? Many people (such as BookLover, Frederick etc) say that they have read the Five Find-Outers over and over again but fail to do so when it comes to the Famous Five. The point I am trying to make here is that you can read a mystery book a hundred of times but cannot do the same with the adventure one. My opinion still stays the same i. E. Famous Five is better than the Find-Outers clearly because they have better character development, better thrill, better characters and above all, better quick-thinking. If taken consideration as to which is better, adventure or mystery, well that depends because adventures give more thrill and suspense whereas mysteries give better plot and hidden details, thus making it worthy to be re-read. Thank you. (Sorry for writing after so long). P. S. I don't know if someone is like me or not here, but I have read every book of Famous Five thrice and so of the Find-Outers. No difference to me, at least. Ha ha. |
| June 24, 2023 – RM 10 says: FFO anyday. As a child when I started reading these two books back in 2008-09 I was always more hooked onto FFO in comparison to FF. I wish Enid had written more of FFO books in comparison to FF. |
| August 5, 2023 – Tin Tin says: FF and FFO I think should be read in that order. I feel the FFO books are for a slightly older age group. Almost adult in some stories. Then move on to Malcolm Saville's Lone Pine Stories, for the next age group. |
| August 24, 2023 – Abby the mushie ???? says: Personally, I love the Five Find Outers. The way I found it was actually really weird. There were some random things in my closet when I was moving in and I saw this series. I had to look it up first of all because the covers and everything was painted this vibrant green, but the text was the same as the Five Find Outers. It was really cool and I was immediately obsessed. I feel like which ever one you like kind of depends on what book or series you read first if you read the Famous Five first you might like it more because you find the thrill of it, and then discover something that some people might think has a more boring setting. However, if you read the five find elders first like I did, you will probably like it a lot more because you know the characters very well. I honestly did not enjoy the Famous Five very much, and I think it was not very realistic. However, the Five Find Outers is more likely to happen and causes more likeliness to be a detective which is what I think a lot of people want. By the way, I am not saying, I did not like the Famous Five, and it might even add lots of creativity, and imagination to your life, but in realisticness the five find outer is definitely takes the medal. To add on, every book on the five find outer’s in my opinion has been really exciting and there haven’t been any boring ones however, in the Famous Five, sometimes the books get boring, especially at the end of the series. Plus, it is much more fun to re-read and try to remember the plot twists of the Five Find Outers. Mr. Goon and other characters like Buster, give even more excitement. I really don’t want to send people, but in my opinion, the Famous Five are just so stuck up, especially Anne. I get that Fatty can brag sometimes, but it’s actually because he’s smart and he has a reason to brag. I mean if you had his smart, I’m pretty sure you guys would be bragging too. If you guys want the exciting books, I’d recommend reading them all in order, but the most exciting books in chronological order are 1. The mystery of the spiteful letters, because there is excitement in every single page. 2. The missing necklace, because the plot twist is mentioned in a previous part of the book, and if you didn’t pay attention to a tiny detail, you would not get it. Also, if you don’t know where the missing necklace is at the end, you will be shocked when you find out. 3. The mystery of the pantomime cat. This one was pretty fun and I liked it because it had a lot of adventure. 4. The mystery of the invisible thief. I don’t want to spoil this one for you, because it is my absolute favorite, but the answer is truly amazing, and you will get tricked along the way, unless you are smarter than fatty. Finally, 5. The mystery of the vanished prince. I really love this one because it had Ern, Sid, Pierce who other characters that are not normally there. I also really like it because it makes it seem that ****** spoiler alert****** Rollo is the vanished prince. This had a really creative plot twist. Anyways, I know, a lot of people are not gonna agree with me about some of these things like which books are the best in the series, or that the Famous Five are worse than the Five Find Outers, but that’s OK. I just wanted to give my opinion, and I am not trying to offend anyone, both of these series or a great and amazing read, but overall, to me, the five find elders have been a better read. |
Enid Blyton
The Official
The
Keith Robinson