The Enid Blyton Society

I believe that the 1940s was a golden age for children's authors and their books. I am not an expert (of course!) but Enid produced most of her iconic series during this decade with some truly memorable books. Richmal Crompton wrote some excellent 'William' stories during the war and a new talent, Malcolm Saville, started his wonderful 'Lone Pine' series in the same period. Two older established authors hit new heights , Elinor Brent-Dyer - with her excellent examination of the effects of intolerance on her 'Chalet School' and Frank Richards learning at an advanced age to write his 'Greyfriars' tales in book form after the war finished. W. E. Johns wrote some of his best 'Biggles' books during this period and invented two new heroes, 'Gimlet' - a commando and quite radically a female flyer standing up against male attitudes - the indomitable 'Worrals' !

I am sure there are some I have missed and would love to read other people's comments!

I agree entirely, Francis. As well as Enid's work I am a huge fan of the Billy Bunter and Lone Pine series of books and own quite a few which I return to regularly. Biggles, I am sure, was a staple read for boys of our generation. I believe that the 40's and 50's produced some of the greatest children's adventure stories ever written.

It's rather surprising - or perhaps it isn't - that the war period inspired so much wonderful escapism. Many did not want to read about the miseries of the immediate effects of the war but to be taken away from all that - Enid was the supreme producer of escapism for children. (Glad you like the Billy Bunter books, John - they are so well written).

I used to enjoy Kathleen Fidler's Brydon Books. She also wrote six books about the Deans and a trilogy about Mr Simister - a criminal who escapes justice in the first 2 books but gets his come-uppance in the third. I also liked the books by Lorna Hill.

Having just read The Island of Adventure - published in 1944, while the war was still going - it strikes me that it's not absolutely pure escapism, in that it's not all fun and cheerful fantasy. There's a sense of loneliness and isolation, some very sinister criminals, and some scary plot twists and very real danger to the children's lives several times. I'm sure this is true of the other Adventure books as well, although the war isn't referenced directly in this one. However, there's a real sense of camaraderie and sticking together between the children, and (unusually for Enid) there's a trustworthy and protective adult who helps to make sure everything turns out all right in the end. I would guess that was part of Enid's intention in writing stories like this - to bring in some of the fearful and threatening elements that would be on children's minds, but also to inspire more courage and hope in them with the assurance that good will always eventually win through.

Bill Smugs is a very inspiring adult figure for children to read about - protective and dashing. I agree that Enid was exploring themes raised by the war particularly children lacking fathers and their need for an effective male figure although she didn't usually directly mention the war. Children didn't need to be reminded of the war as they lived in its' shadow all the time.

Interesting to hear about Kathleen Fidler, Daisy as she is somebody I have never come across.

I also enjoyed Kathleen Fidler's books as a youngster, Diasy. I haven't seen any of her books for many years. I must keep a lookout for some of them. Does anyone know if they have been reissued in recent times, as I daresay early editions are collectable and expensive? I must admit I'm not familiar with Lorna Hill or her books.

I don't think any of Kathleen Fidler's books have been reissued. I have almost all the many Brydon titles and all the Dean ones, most of which I have collected over the last 25 years. I occasionally see one in second hand book shops but not often. I didn't own any as a child but borrowed them from the library.

I also borrowed Kathleen Fidler books from the library. Oddly enough her books were plentiful in Brighton's public library, but Enid Blyton were very thin on the ground. As I said previously on a different thread, I had to borrow Blyton books from a small private library on a weekly basis at 2d per book.

Good topic, Francis. I've got quite a few old childrens books by various authors, but I can't access them at the moment. When I can, I'll post what I have.

Sounds great, Julie. Just received Fell Farm Holiday, a 50's book, and very thin!

I appreciate the situation that publishers were in at the time, but I do hate that wartime economy paper that they were forced to print books on. I know that I'm being unreasonable but it does detract from the appeal of the original copies.

Oh, I quite like the wartime economy paper... it somehow brings back the atmosphere that was around in those days.

I love the Worrals books - she is just an awesome character! And I'm a great fan of Malcolm Saville too (although he does get a bit fixated on the girls' legs towards the end of the series ). Trying to think of other authors of the period who I've enjoyed, but I'm at work at the moment and haven't got my books to hand!

One of my favourite characters in the Billy Bunter books is Vernon-Smith, otherwise The Bounder. A true loner with a scheming mind. Didn't Lorna Hill write books about ballet and dancing? I seem to recall some of her work has been re-published by Girls Gone By.

burlingtonbertram wrote:I appreciate the situation that publishers were in at the time, but I do hate that wartime economy paper that they were forced to print books on. I know that I'm being unreasonable but it does detract from the appeal of the original copies.

I love those copies. To me they are a very tangible reminder of the extreme times and dangers that people were living through back then. I am something of a World War 2 buff and they somehow bring home the reality of those times far more than any modern published history of the war does. Each to their own I suppose but I own several such books and am very fond of them.