The Famous Five Illustrators Compared

[Julie2owlsdene]

Maxey's are better than most, but they are to me pictures of children, they're not the F.F.

[Eddie Muir]

I agree with you entirely, Julie.

[Rob Houghton]

I think its interesting how other Famous Five illustrators are almost 'vilified' when compared to Eileen Soper. I guess I see things differently, as I never grew up with the Eileen Soper depictions, but I find it interesting that fans of Soper are hard-pressed to see any merit in other illustrators! I 'quite like' a few of the illustrators. Sometimes Soper, too, made mistakes. She often drew the children in a very sloppy way, especially in the later books, and often made the women look like muscle-men, lol. I still like them - but she wasn't without her faults.

I was reading 'Enid Blyton's Bright Story Book' the other day and there was a story about a boy who never gave anything back when he borrowed things - so one day his books all decided to grow legs and walk home to their owners. Eileen depicted this scene with her usual verve - except it was quite plain she hadn't read the story properly, because along with the books, she also included other items that the boy had borrowed - a rubber, a pen,a jigsaw etc. These items didn't walk off, according to Enid's text. The boy gave them back the next day!

Saying that, I do feel the same as Julie does about the Secret Seven illustrations - but in reverse. Derek Lucas depicted the Seven so expertly, that for me no other Secret Seven illustrator comes even close! He drew 'The Secret Seven' whilst the earlier illustrators just drew children.

[pete9012S]

Yes, I like Derek Lucas too Rob.
I grew up with Soper & Maxey and love them both.

I do sometimes wonder what happened to the 1960's & 1970's Maxey generation...are they the ones now buying the Bruno Vincent books perhaps?

[Wolfgang]

I have to admit I'm no fan of Maxey. I grew up with Henneke illustrations I wasn't impressed with, and I also don't like the Soper illustrations that much. I don't have a favourite illustrator of Famous Five books, but I do like many of the French illustrators.

[Courtenay]

I have a slight nostalgia for the Betty Maxey illustrations, as many of the FF books we had when I was little were Maxey ones, but I definitely prefer Eileen Soper. None of the later illustrators make much of an impression on me.

As for who's buying the Bruno Vincent books... I'm not sure so many people are now. Last year and earlier this year, I was seeing them absolutely everywhere, in just about every bookshop or newsagents or gift shop, often displayed very prominently. In the last few months, I've been realising I hardly ever see them now. Despite the plans we've seen for several further titles, I'm starting to suspect the novelty has worn off and possibly even those who bought some of the earlier books have got bored with them or realised they're actually not very good and not worth collecting. Let alone those genuine Blyton fans who were never taken in by it all in the first place...

[pete9012S]

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Illustrations: uncredited
http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... Girls+1962" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;






Illustrator: Hemesh Alles

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[Rob Houghton]

The first lot are an abomination.

I've always quite like the Princess Annual illustrations. They are very different, but somehow acceptable as its in an annual, and very much of their time. I also like the one-tone colours with different shades of the same colour, which remind me of my own annuals when I was young!

Not bothered about the others either way!

[Julie2owlsdene]

I can see the first cover appealing to the 'kids of today', which is what it's all about, keeping the Blyton books going. So that's not a bad thing.

I have the Five Have a Puzzling Time and Other stories version.

[Rob Houghton]

Whatever the reason, I still think the first ones are awful and only appeal to 'the kids of today' because they have been force-fed them.

I would have been so disappointed to be faced with those depictions of The Famous Five. I believed the Five were real children, as depicted in the TV series and annuals - so I wouldn't have understood the fact they were being depicted as Noddy-style caricatures.

I find it hard to understand why the most modern versions are somehow more acceptable than the Betty Maxey versions.

[Rob Houghton]

Some illustrations from the American version of 'Five Go To Mystery Moor' (1963).

Not really to my liking - but its interesting to see an American interpretation!

Illustrations by Frank Aloise -

[pete9012S]

Wow! Really enjoyed looking over those.Many thanks Rob.Is it possible for Tony to include them in the cave?

[Courtenay]

I quite like those — they wouldn't be my top choice either, but it's interesting to see a different style, as you say, and there's certainly a fair bit of character and excitement in them. Thanks, Rob.

[Rob Houghton]

Thanks both!

Yes - I do quite like them - although they wouldn't be the style I would personally pick as one of my faves. They remind me of the illustrations that appeared in some books I had as a child which were printed in the 1960's. Some of these may well have have come from America, when my great Aunt and Uncle came over here for a visit - not sure.

I particularly like the Americanisation of the old man (blacksmith?) telling the children the tale of the Bartles ( third photo). He looks like a typical old guy from an American movie of the time, somehow!

Wow! Really enjoyed looking over those.Many thanks Rob.Is it possible for Tony to include them in the cave?

It would be nice I agree - but I don't think my photos above would be good enough quality. Maybe if he has copies of the American books, he might scan them...but we all know Tony is very busy.

[Anita Bensoussane]

It's very interesting to see all the different illustrations. Although I generally like Eric Parker's drawings, George's face looks manic and mask-like in that particular picture (with the snow and the kennel), which we've discussed before in another thread.