Talk About Blyton!

Due to popular demand I've re-opened this section so y'all can have a good chin-wag about all things Blyton. Posts will continue to be moderated as before, only now there will be slightly more moderation involved where new topics are concerned, to avoid repetition; feel free to suggest a new topic, but please make sure there's not already a similar topic open.

Thanks for your patience, everyone!

August 28, 2008: Famous Five - Julian: Mr Bossy? I agree mostly with Ilsa. It's because he's the eldest he should take care of his sister and his cousin. Not his sister and his cousin taking care of him!—sofia
	Bets says: Rather like Fatty and Pip look after me! :-)
August 26, 2008: St Clare's - Prudence I think the issues with Prudence are that A) she passed the letter on purely to cause trouble, although it was intended to be trouble for Carlotta, not Prudence. B) She knew what the letter said, and by passing it on knew it would cause someone to break the rules. C) If the letter HAD been for Carlotta, and Carlotta had met someone, broken the rules and got into trouble, it wouldn't have been a big deal. BUT a girl got kidnapped, and it could easily have been so much worse for her than it was.—Fiona B
August 26, 2008: St Clare's - Favourite character Gladys! She's amazing! I love the change in her character and the amazing talents and qualities that are discovered in her. And even when she does discover how she is a talented person she remains quiet and gentle and doesn't become big-headed or noisy like the others.—Sylvie
August 26, 2008: St Clare's - Malory Towers vs. St Clare's Malory Towers for me! I like it much more than St clare's because of the lovely descriptions of the grounds (swimming pool and courtyard area), the four towers and I like the way that Darrell has a hot temper which gets her into trouble sometimes. And I like Darrell, Alicia, Bill and of course Mary-Lou so much! Oh and this might sound childish but I do like the way that apparently all the beds in the dormi have different coloured quilts! : )—Sylvie
August 26, 2008: St Clare's - Prudence I have just re-read the third book, "Summer Term at St clare's" and I'm a bit confused about Prudence. She was expelled at the end for generally being sneaky and horrible but I found that a big deal was made of what she had or had not done regarding Sadie's kidnap. After realising that Sadie has been kidnapped its is written that Prudence "really was frightened out of her life to think of the trouble she had casued through being such a mischief maker. " Then when she is being questioned by the police we are told that there was "no getting away with this" and Miss Theobald tells Prudence that she can't "run away from the troubles [she] has caused". Miss Theobald says many other things that are similar to this, like "I hope this will be a lesson to you" etc. But I am really confused because I swear that Prudence hasn't caused all this "trouble". All that Prudence did was pass on a letter to Carlotta/Sadie and then follow them out in the dark. Surely there was no harm in passing on a letter, every other girl in the form would have done that? And if anything its a good thing that Prudence followed Sadie so that she saw that she had been kidnapped and could therefore alert the others to save her? So I think its a bit harsh the way that everyone was having a go at Prudence for this. Would love to hear some feedback on what all of you think.—Sylvie
August 26, 2008: Famous Five - Five being rude and nasty to Jo... When I read the "Five fall into adventure" book again today, I couldn't help but feel that the five are being unecessarily rude and mean to poor Jo. She is a downtrodden little girl, has lost her mother and is cruely treated by her father and his pal Jake. Beatings are commonplace for her. Ou five seem to have no sympathy for her and don't miss a chance to be rude to her and keep reminding her of the bad things she has to do because she's afraid of her dad. She gets beaten up badly by Dick and Julian in one scene; instead of regretting that they keep going on about how untrustworthy she is. Also when she says that Red Tower isn't a place she is again treated rudely before she even has a chance to say that Red Tower is the name of a man! Seems that Enid was very clear about class differences; and made no bones about the fact that the "travellers" were apparently too low class for the five to be friends with.—Amisha
August 25, 2008: Unlisted Series (Miscellaneous) - Why update books? I'm completely against Blyton's books being changed for the sake of 'political correctness'. I don't remember the term 'nigger' being used in any of her books, but if it has indeed been used, that would be one of the only changes appropriate, in my opinion, under the name of political correctness. Other than that (and typos, obviously), it's much better to leave her books untouched. I mean, isn't it better for children to learn about a different kind of society, rather than to read only about a modern lifestyle (which they're probably very used to anyway?) It's better to learn about something new rather than change it so that young readers find it more familiar. What's wrong with learning new stuff? Like Ms. Grayling says to Jo's father, "Don't you think it is better for Josephine to conquer the cold water rather than for the cold water to conquer Josephine?" Okay, maybe not the best analogy, but hopefully I'm getting my point across. Besides, kids today aren't that gullible. They'll understand that certain things such as girls being very protected, etc. Were usual in that time, and times have now changed. And finally, changing the books like that rather takes away from the charm of her books.—Aishwarya
August 22, 2008: St Clare's - Malory Towers vs. St Clare's I very much agree Alicia. I read St clare's for the first time a few weeks ago, but had read Malory towers as a child. It seemed that most of the ideas for characters and situations in St clare's was re-used in the Malory towers books, and were greatly improved on by the time they were rewritten. I kept reading parts of the St. clare's books and saying to myself "shades of Gwendoline Mary there" whenever Alison started latching onto her new heroine, and of course there was a girl who's name I forget who was just like Daphne, pretending she was from a rich family when in fact she stole things. Parts of St. clare's struck me as really quite odd, especially compared to Malory Towers. For example, both head mistresses talk of how they always hope to help and improve girl's characters, and absolutely hate it when they fail and have to expel a girl; and yet countless girls are expelled or "asked to leave" St. clare's after stealing/cheating/just being an unpleasant person. Although it may seem silly, Malory Towers always manages to rescue such poor, lost girls (apart from Jo obviously). I could go on forever, but I won't. I will just say Malory Towers is infinitely better than St. clare's, but seems to directly owe its success to coming after a practice run.—Fiona B
August 22, 2008: Famous Five - Interesting typographical blooper Hi! Typos aren't very uncommon but that was a bit funny. Some of my End Blyton books have typos. It's quite common really.—Alicia
	Fatty says: A bit like your typos, eh? ;-)
August 22, 2008: St Clare's - Malory Towers vs. St Clare's Okay. I'm going to start a debate - which is the better series - St Clare's or Malory Towers? My vote is for Malory Towers. St Clare's isn't a proper series. Firstly, the school is very large - at least the school building is according to the first book. But there are only ten girls in one form? And you don't have various houses in a form either! Secondly, the girls start the school at 15 years? And leave at 21? I though St Clare's was a finishing school or something but in the last book, it's mentioned that the twins, Bobby Janet and Carlotta are going to college. At 21 you're an ADULT! I detest the twins - they have such high opinions of themselves and their strict codes of honour, yet they enjoy breaking rules and doing wrong things. I believe there's a word for such behaviour - hypocrisy. The girls all seem so perfect - especially the twins. Nothing wrong about them. And Lucy drives me crazy with her perfect nature and attitude - it's as if she's an angel sent from heaven above - too good to be true! The cover art is really erm. Odd! Two hats, a satchel, a key, a tennis ball and raquet, a lacrosse ball and stick? Malory Towers is MUCH better!—Alicia
	Fatty says: Although this message was intended to start a new topic, in fact a similar topic already existed (this one you're on now). Please remember to check for similar topics before starting a new one! :-)
August 20, 2008: Adventure Series - Favourite Character My favourite is Dinah. I find Philip's ability to attract all animals extremely difficult to believe [though don't I wish I could] and Jack rather domineering. Lucy-Ann is lovely, but she annoys me. I find that Dinah, with her temper and inconsistent nature to be the most realistic character of the four. She reminds me of girls I knew when I was at school and a bit of myself when I was young. The way she fights with Philip is also much more realistic. A bunch of children who spend that much time together are likely to get on each other's nerves and fight. Yet that only ever happens between Philip and Dinah.—akika
August 18, 2008: Malory Towers - How many terms in a year? Hi everyone, I was re-reading the upper fourth at Malory Towers, and it got me thinking, did every form have an upper and a lower eg upper and lower fourth, or was the lower one only in the fourth just for the girls who would not do school cert, and then where did they go after that?. Also if there was two levels to each form it would explain the size of the class.—emma
August 18, 2008: Famous Five - Interesting typographical blooper No slips, Freudian or otherwise on me, Padré! You sent me scurrying back to check I didn't make a mistake but phew, I've just looked again and it's certainly 'pants' in my book. Some of those Knight books ran to several impressions but were re-issued with the same covers so we may have different impressions.—Tobim
	Fatty says: Typos aren't that uncommon, there are many to be found in all editions.
August 17, 2008: Unlisted Series (Miscellaneous) - Why update books? Hi, I'm an MA student writing a dissertation on whether publishers should re-edit children's books for political correctness. I know you've probably discussed this to death, but I'd appreciate any input from Blyton fans! I've spoken to one publisher, for example, who won't print many Noddy books. How do you all feel about this or editing in other Blyton books?—Becky-MA student
August 17, 2008: Mystery (Five Find-Outer) Series - Mr and Mrs Daykin Mr and Mrs Daykin are mentioned rarely as far as I remember in the series, in such as 'The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat', when Fatty and Larry dressed as enormous ruffians to fool PC pippin pass the kitchen window and give Janet the cook an awful shock and she tells Mr Daykin about them as 'great big fellows sir' she said 'about six feet tall, they were-and they glared at me out of piercing eyes and growled like dogs.—Ziauddin
August 13, 2008: St Clare's - Uniform colour? It is said that Carlotta wore the school blazer. So, I suppose that they had a school blazer as well.—Ankita Maity
August 13, 2008: Adventure Series - What happened to Jack, Philip, Dinah and Lucy-Ann? What do you think of Lucy-Ann becoming an air hostess? Too stupid?—Natalie
August 12, 2008: Famous Five - Interesting typographical blooper I also have a 1970s Knight books edition and I have just checked and it definitely says "paints"! A Freudian slip by Tobim?—Padré
August 11, 2008: Faraway Tree - How much do you like this series? I love the Faraway Tree. It is my favourite!—Lucy
	Bets says: Would you like to say why it's your favourite? :-)
August 10, 2008: St Clare's - Uniform colour? I've just read Claudine at St clare's, which describes the summer uniform as a tunic, which the girls can wear in any colour.—Fiona B
August 10, 2008: Adventure Series - Who's braver : Dinah or Lucy-Ann? Yes, Fatty is right to say that you don't have to be cowardly at heart to be considered brave. Otherwise you'd have a heck of a lot of cowardly firefighters and soldiers in the world! No, being brave is doing something that needs to be done regardless of danger, and perhaps the more scared you are, the more brave you have to be to accomplish it. But bravery doesn't just mean doing dangerous things. A dare-devil bike rider, for instance, isn't brave, because ultimately he's just doing what he *wants* to do, not what he *has* to do. But maybe he's not foolish either, because he's a professional who takes all the correct precautions. A foolish person would be someone who steals a car and drives at 100mph round tight bends. Not brave, just plain stupid.—Keith Robinson
August 9, 2008: Adventure Series - Who's braver : Dinah or Lucy-Ann? It all depends on the nature of the person. To be brave, you must be cowardly at heart. Lucy Ann obviously cannot stomach most of the things that go on in the series, but she bravely holds on because of her loyalty to the gang, especially to Jack. I think that takes more courage than already liking danger (Dinah) I do concede, however, that her cowardliness does go beyond normal levels, even for a 1940s girl.—Fel
	Fatty says: Hmm, not sure about having to be cowardly. I would say bravery was showing courage in facing danger, even if you were scared stiff!
August 9, 2008: Adventure Series - Who have you shared this series with? I am 46, and an avid reader. This entire series still remains in my top 10 list. Considering I consume 4-5 books each week, and have since I first discovered them as a child, that is a lot of books for comparison. This series and Jules Verne's books were the bedtime stories my grandfather read to me (he found Dick, Jane and Spot boring), and I continued the tradition with my own children 20 and 26 years ago. I am currently replacing my set as both of my previous 1st edition sets have gone to my son and daughter, and the other sets I've had over the years have ended up being given as gifts to friends and family. Most recently I gave them to my niece and nephew, and my Mother as well since she pouted at being left out. I'm positive that Enid Blyton gave me my love for intense description. All of her characters are alive and more real than those of so many authors. Also, I disagee about the books being dated. For myself they have given me many opportunities to view and discuss the differences and changes in the world between then and now, and how they give us a glimpse into times past. But then again I grew up with parents who'd been married for 20 years before I surprised them, and history was a favorite topic in a house with no TV.—R. Stone
August 9, 2008: Mystery (Five Find-Outer) Series - Mr Goon, I feel sorry for you Part of me does feel sorry for PC Goon. It must be remembered that in the 40s, village policemen weren't always that bright. Their role consisited mainly of checking locked doors and keeping a general eye out as well as dealing with petty crime - a stolen bike for example. Goon was really his own worst enemy. If he had befriended the Five his life would have been much nicer. However, the thought of a village bobby befriending a bunch of kids in this era is very far-fetched. Poor old Goon, he so wanted recognition, all he got was ridicule. It wasn't helped by Fatty and Co continually leading him up the garden path!—Nigel Rowe
	Fatty says: And what's wrong with that? ;-)
August 9, 2008: Mystery (Five Find-Outer) Series - Mr Goon, I feel sorry for you I have to confess I don't feel sorry for Mr Goon at all. I'm re-reading all this series and totally enjoying them all over again. Mr. Goon is afterall, an adult and suppose to be an intelligent person, being in the force. Yet he is so full of himself, and so adament that he is always right, that he refuses to let the Find Outers help in any way. But let's face it, this is what makes these books excellent, Mr Goon and Fatty's play offs. Enid chose her characters well and that's why these books are so popular and make a fantastic read. Long live Fatty and poor Mr Goon!—Julie @ Owlsdene
	Bets says: I always found Mr Goon rather frightening in a funny sort of way! ;-)