September 2, 2010: Naughtiest Girl - The train to Whyteleaf
Khulood - although Whyteleaf School is mentioned in two other of Enid Blyton's books, it does not mean that the school ever existed except in her head. She also sometimes mentions characters from other series in her books, which may give the impression of reality to them - and that is what she was trying to do I think. However, sadly, all such places and characters are imaginary!—Ilsa |
August 29, 2010: Naughtiest Girl - The train to Whyteleaf
Have you noticed how Whyteleaf School was mentioned in two Enid Blyton books? Does that mean the school was real? .—Khulood |
August 24, 2010: Faraway Tree - Misspelt name!
Enid Blyton is great. I do like Dame Slap though- she is funny, and fierce. The Faraway Tree is a marvellous book, but the Malory Towers' series is the best of what Enid Blyton had written. Did Enid Blyton purposely do the names; Fanny and Dick? They are so alike, I can't help thinking she did it purposely, but it might have actually been a name in the olden days.—Maxine |
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Bets says: Fanny and Dick were both common names when the Famous Five books were written. |
August 20, 2010: Faraway Tree - Misspelt name!
Freddie??? Ugh, what sort of name is that for a budding detective? I know Fatty didn't particularly like being called Fatty but I think he would have thrown a fit at being called 'Freddie'!!—Spitfire |
August 19, 2010: Faraway Tree - Misspelt name!
I'm surprised that the PC brigade haven't changed Fatty's name, on the grounds that this may make kids think it's all right to call overweight people names!—Padré |
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Fatty says: I have a feeling that in one version, he was renamed Freddie! |
August 14, 2010: Secret Seven - Based on real characters?
The Secret Seven had badges with SS?!?! OH NO! Call the PC police: such hideous Nazi overtones. It must not be allowed! How terribly un-PC.—TheLadyDiablo |
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Fatty says: Maybe Enid was trying to take the fear out of two humble letters. I suppose the word 'secret' has sinister undertones as well... |
August 14, 2010: Faraway Tree - Misspelt name!
I looked at the PC version of the Famous Five in the 90's and it's the same. All whiny and PC. They have no right to do this to our beloved author's books! I really resented the change in "Five Go to Billycock Hill" when George's original "He was so British" was PC'd to "He was so honest" and Dick's "Traitors deserve to die" was removed. Egad, it was a different era!—TheLadyDiablo |
August 8, 2010: Faraway Tree - Misspelt name!
I don't recall reading these books as a child but as an adult I am outraged that this is happening. What next? To Kill a Mockingbird uses the "N" word 48 times. Are they going to rewrite this book too?—Christina T. |
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Bets says: Probably not, To Kill a Mockingbird is considered a classic, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some alterations! |
July 30, 2010: Famous Five - The Famous Five Club
There was only ever a Saint Timothy which makes sense because all dogs go to Heaven anyway.—rogoz |
July 29, 2010: Famous Five - The Famous Five Club
Ah, but was there ever a King Timothy of England?!—Anita |
July 28, 2010: Famous Five - The Famous Five Club
Which is the odd name in the set? Anne, Georgina [ George ] and Dick [ Richard ] are named after English monarchs. Logically you'd change Julian to James. Put that in your trivia night.—rogoz |
July 28, 2010: Famous Five - The Famous Five Club
Now that Famous Five language is being updated as per the times should'nt Dick's name be changed too. Since Enid wrote the books the word Dick has developed a competely different and inappropriate meaning. What say you? .—Anand |
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Fatty says: I say, "Leave well alone!" |
July 27, 2010: Secret Seven - Based on real characters?
The children in the books are actually real! It says it at the beginning of the first book in a letter written by Gillian, Enid Blyton's eldest daughter.—Matthew Crossley |
July 27, 2010: Barney Mysteries - What happened to them?
Kellentia - I would like to and I have an idea forming now but more work to do yet. Possibly in the Autumn. Thanks for the support.—Sally |
July 26, 2010: Barney Mysteries - What happened to them?
Haha yes that is true. Barney could only be an actor. Can't really imagine him doing anything else.! Would you be writing anymore Barney and co. Stories? I'm sure many people here would love to read them!—Kellentia |
July 25, 2010: Barney Mysteries - What happened to them?
Kellentia - thanks for your comments. That was my thinking exactly. Snubby was a budding entrepreneur if ever there was one. I almost made Roger a lawyer, actually, but needed a doctor for my story and agree he had the right character for the training and demands of the job. Glad you liked the story and I enjoyed writing it. Barney could only ever have been an actor couldn't he? How I would have loved to see him in Les Miserables!—Sally |
July 25, 2010: Barney Mysteries - What happened to them?
Hi Sally! I really love your story Return to Rubadub. Very well written, and I I liked how you paired up the characters across these 2 series. I can so imagine Snubby falling for Lucy-Ann. I also feel that Snubby is more of an entreprenur, and that he is more likely to become a successful businessman than a doctor. For one, even though he is very smart, I doubt that he would have the patience and persistence to endure the tough and rigorous medical training. On the other hand, Roger would suit it perfectly. Roger could also become a lawyer. Snubby's street-smart-ness, being able to charm people, wittiness and boldness are great assets which would grant him a natural edge in the business world. Just my two cents worth : ).—Kellentia |
July 19, 2010: Unlisted Series (Miscellaneous) - Fathers in Enid's books...
Amy Elizabeth - Just to clarify that Barney's father never abandoned him. Barney's parents parted before he was born, and he only learned that his father was probably still alive just before his mother's death when he was 14. She urged her son to look for him. His father had no knowledge of his existance until he was traced and from then on it seems he was an ideal father. This is one of EB's best series in my opinion and well worth reading - but one to read in order as Barney finds his father in the Rubadub Mystery.—Sally |
July 19, 2010: Famous Five - Enid Blyton Picnic!
Hitchhiking sounds lovely, Bets! I wish we could all go! Only. . . I wonder if, when we go, you'd be the same age you were in Enid's books, or the same age as in Julie's. :-).—Amy Elizabeth |
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Bets says: Enid Blyton characters never age! |
July 19, 2010: Unlisted Series (Miscellaneous) - Fathers in Enid's books...
I've never read the Barney mysteries, but from the reviews it seems the Lyntons aren't very fond of spending time with their children much. I wonder what I'd think of Barney's father -- he seems to have abandoned his son. Jo's father is terrible -- poor Jo! She ended up being expelled for her horrible behaviour; and her father had encouraged her to act like that. One would think he did not care for her (at least I would) despite all the gifts and money. Matter of fact, Enid had a better relationship with her father than her mother -- so it's strange she portrays fathers as rather cold and distant, when, if you read Anita's biography of Enid on the EBS website, Enid was quite close to her father.—Amy Elizabeth |
July 18, 2010: Barney Mysteries - What happened to them?
Hello again Sally. I agree with you with regard to how much everyone seems to get invested in the different characters Enid Blyton created. Truly she is wonderful. I too am interested in how others think on this issue. You know when I was reading your reasoning for Snubby becoming an entrepreneur, I was thinking to myself that I had the same reasons for why I thought he would become a doctor. He is sensitive and kind, and unwilling to judge people without basis. I thought these would make for a great bed-side manner if he became a doctor. Interesting that we arrived at very different outcomes for him! : -) Intelligence and instinct are hugely important in medicine too when it comes to diagnosis : -) What do others think? .—afcruser |
July 17, 2010: Barney Mysteries - What happened to them?
Afcruser - I was not offended at all and interested in your views. It is always interesting why Blyton's writing is still so much loved by we adults and why particular books or series appeal. As well as the mystery/adventure element of her stories, as a child I always loved the characters she created, their warm friendships, strong family units and the general aura of happiness she created. There was a lot of depth behind some of the characters and I enjoyed developing these traits and speculating on how they would evolve. Interested to know from other readers if they envisaged the characters from my fanfic developing any differently.—Sally |
July 17, 2010: Barney Mysteries - What happened to them?
Hello Sally. Thank you for your response. I hope you were not offended by this new thread. I was reading your excellent fan-fic and then when I was going through the forum threads, I realized there was no topic on "what happened next" for the Barney gang, though nearly all other series have it, I just thought it might be fun to have others' talk about what they thought might happen next, since the visitors here seem to have strong opinions on nearly everything! So no offence was intended. That said, I really enjoyed reading your reasoning for why you felt the way you did about what happened next.—afcruser |
July 17, 2010: Unlisted Series (Miscellaneous) - Fathers in Enid's books...
As far as fathers go, I agree with Nigel that Fatty's pa was a good one - he trusted his son (see Holly Lane and the Buster chasing sheep incident) and was not over-controlling, although it was clear he would step in if needed. Richard Lynton was the worst in my opinion and more like a Victorian father who did not want to see his children if he could help it (the only time he displayed any redeeming features was in Rilloby Fair when introduced to Barney whom he liked on sight - "Any friend of Roger's is a friend of mine" - which suggested he would be there for his children when push came to shove). If we then look at step-fathers, Bill has to be the best - he provided such excellent fatherly support to his four adopted children - and I tried to bring this out in my fan fic story.—Sally |
July 16, 2010: Barney Mysteries - What happened to them?
Afruser - thanks for your comments about Return to Rubadub - my thinking behind what happened to the characters is really based on the evidence in the books. Snubby showed all the signs of an entrepreneur - disliking conformity and using his considerable intelligence and instincts for things which really interested him. He also had a real desire for security and always recognised truly good people - Barney, Dummy and I thought Lucy-Ann would appeal hugely. She was genuinely sweet and unselfish (remember how she offered to take Philip's place using the wings in Mountain of Adventure! ) and they shared such similar histories. The red hair and green eyes just meant they were likely to be physically attracted to each other - like often attracts like. Roger was always quietly sensible - yes the army may have been a possibility but I think he would have made a good doctor, and I needed one for my story! Given Barney's family history and his obvious talents and circus background, a career on the stage seemed to me inevitable. Remember how he performed so naturally with Matthew Marvel in the Rubadub Mystery on stage. Interested to know other readers' thoughts.—Sally |
