A voice from a past time

[Anita Bensoussane]

I think that children's books, if they are really inspired, are as readable as gown-up's books. Sometimes I prefer them because children's sensibility is more open to understand the mysteries of life: "If you do not become as children, you will not enter the Kingdom of God."

I read children's books more often than I read adults' books and I think that's why they appeal to me, Don. The characters have such a fresh, open attitude to the world, lacking cynicism and world-weariness. They are genuinely excited and eager, they feel that there is always more to learn and discover and they're determined to get involved and do their bit, believing that they can make a difference to society. Reading these books as an adult inspires me and helps keep me hopeful, positive and young at heart.

[Francis]

Welcome to the Forum, Don.
Enid's books are fundamentally about decency and doing the right thing. In
that sense they coincide with religeous values without being tied to any
particular creed. This means that they speak to children all over the world
promoting the importance of cooperation and standing up against evil and greed.
I am sure that they will continue to be read for many years to come. I am sure
you will encourage children to read them.
Regards, Francis

[lwindrush]

Can I say this is one of the most fascinating debates I've read on the forums.

I love rereading my favourite children's books because to misquote Shakespeare they summon up the remembrance of things past and take me back to a far happier time.

[Moonraker]

The past is the new tomorrow.

[don massimo]

I agree with all interventions and like them very much. As for the criticism made to Mrs. Blyton that she describes a world too nice for modern young people, I answer that the mission of poetry is to awake in souls feelings of a better life. When those feelings are printed in the souls of millions of persons they become a reality, not less real than any material reality. In fact they determine the destiny of people and the destiny of the world. In history often evil prevails, but if good prevails in great poetry and conquers the crowds, indirectly good prevails also in history. Cordelia is apparently a loser. In fact she the winner, because the life of millions people has been signed for ever by her spiritual grandeur. And the same must be said of Desdemona and other heroines and heroes celebrated by poetry. In a smaller scale also of Mrs. Blyton little heroes and heroines.

[Francis]

I must admit that I always aspired to be like Enid's adventure books children.
Particularly Philip and Jack with their love for animals and birds - one of
the reasons why I always loved my second name (Francis - my favourite
saint!). You are right, Don, that Enid set a wonderfully positive example
for children. Also her books brought boys and girls together in very positive
relationships - it helped bring my sister and I together. We would go into
the country looking for animals, birds, secret passages and adventures.

[Moonraker]

Ah, St Francis; my favourite saint as well.

[don massimo]

A friend of mine is making for me an ebook of the English translation of a beautiful book written in 1909 by a German Bishop. The book is inspired by a deep Franciscan spirit and gives such an amazing prophetical vision of our time that it was translated into 13 languages. I should like to have it known. When the work is done, I shall ask how it is possible to make the text available. Its title is "More Joy".

[Francis]

Sounds like something I should read but I believe that the spirit of St Francis
exists in those that spread the love of nature to children such as Enid in her
books and her iconic nature notes.

[don massimo]

It is just like that!

[Moonraker]

I have a statue of St Francis in our garden!

[don massimo]

Dear Francis and Moonraker,
the friend of mine has made a very happy discovery: the existence of this on-line edition of "More Joy":
http://archive.org/details/kepplermorejoy00keppuoft" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
So I signal it to you and to everyone interested. It is a very Franciscan book and a poetical masterpiece. I think that it is at home in Mrs. Blyton's site! May it be a way to make it widespread known? I take the occasion to fervently and publicly thank Enid Blyton for the innumerable joys and inspirations she gives me while reading her marvelous books. Unfortunately I have not all of them and am going to finish what I have. In a few days I am in Italy. Perhaps from there I can make a payment to become a member and so have the possibility to get more material easily. A last curiosity, which I had already expressed: what about Enid's daughters?

[Francis]

Thank you don - very much appreciated.
Enid had 2 daughters, Gillian and Imogen. Unfortunately Gillian
died a few years ago but Imogen is very much alive and we see her
each year at the Enid Blyton day event. If you join you get a quarterly
magazine and people buy and sell books on the site.
Good luck, Francis

[Redrachel76]

...As for the criticism made to Mrs. Blyton that she describes a world too nice for modern young people, I answer that the mission of poetry is to awake in souls feelings of a better life. When those feelings are printed in the souls of millions of persons they become a reality, not less real than any material reality. In fact they determine the destiny of people and the destiny of the world. In history often evil prevails, but if good prevails in great poetry and conquers the crowds, indirectly good prevails also in history...

You said a very true thing there.