Andrew Maunder - Enid Blyton: A Literary Life

[pete9012S]

Enid Blyton: A Literary Life
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MOXIC-Abstract ... 3030763315

Just a reminder that this book is released on Dec 8th 2021

[Lucky Star]

I love the "About this Item" description in the link.

[Boatbuilder]

That's rather a strange page that opens with all those other items listed.

[Moonraker]

I certainly have no room for a book 6'x3'.

[John Pickup]

I love the "About this Item" description in the link.

A free rug with every book?

[Tony Summerfield]

Before you all go and pre-order it on Amazon, I read a while back that W.H. Smith have got some sort of special deal on this book and it is rather cheaper than Amazon!

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/enid ... 63312.html

[Eddie Muir]

Many thanks for the link, Pete. Thanks, too, for the W.H. Smith information, Tony.

[John Pickup]

Thanks for the tip, Tony. I've had a look on WH Smith's website and the book is priced at £14.39, to be published on December 8th.

[pete9012S]

Thanks Tony. I noticed WH Smith gives a bit of info about the book:

This book is a study of the best-selling writer for children Enid Blyton (1897-1968) and provides a new account of her career. It draws on Blyton's business correspondence to give a fresh account of a misunderstood figure who for forty years was one of Britain's most successful and powerful authors. It examines Blyton's rise to fame in the 1920s and considers the ways in which she managed her career as a storyteller, journalist and magazine editor. There is discussion of her most famous series including the Famous Five, the Secret Seven, Malory Towers and Noddy, but attention is also given to lesser-known works including the family stories she published to acclaim in the 1940s and early 1950s, as well as her attempts to become a dramatist. The book also discusses Blyton's fluctuating critical reputation, how she and her works were received and how Blyton the person has fared at the hands of biographers and the media. 6 Illustrations, color; 6 Illustrations, black and white; XV, 323 p. 12 illus., 6 illus. in color.

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/enid ... 63312.html

[Tony Summerfield]

Just to say a few words about the author. He has been a Society member for a while and takes the Journal and we have had email contact on and off for a few years. Whereas most recent authors writing about Enid Blyton feel that they know all the answers, Andrew is not afraid to ask questions if he is not fully sure of the answer.

https://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/po ... 7ad7).html

[Anita Bensoussane]

The fact that Andrew Maunder's book "draws on Blyton's business correspondence" makes it sound promising.

[Fiona1986]

I found this on Waterstones and added it to my Christmas list. The Amazon listing is baffling. If you order it what will you get? A book or a rug??

[Mathias123]

Hello
It's Andrew here. Since it's come up, I thought I'd chip in. My book is due out in December all being well. Tony is being very self effacing when he says he's answered a few questions - he's been incredibly generous in answering queries over a long time.

The book has taken longer than expected and doesn't in any way cover everything Blyton wrote or did - if that were ever possible. It's more interested in her career than her private life and tries to view its different stages in the context of the times: the 1920s, the war, the 50s etc. It's not a hatchet job. I *think* I've been fair but everything is opinion I guess.
My one big discovery (at least as far as I was concerned) is how good some of the family stories are: House-at-the-Corner and Six Cousins at Mistletoe Farm & sequel - very good on teenage psychology, parents and family dynamics. It's a shame they aren't better known.
best wishes
Andrew

[pete9012S]

Hi Andrew, a very warm welcome to you.
Your book looks most interesting. I look forward to reading it.

Tony is extremely helpful and informative isn't he.
Don't tell him I've give him any praise though, wouldn't want him to get swell headed!

Best Wishes

Pete

[Boodi 2]

My one big discovery (at least as far as I was concerned) is how good some of the family stories are: House-at-the-Corner and Six Cousins at Mistletoe Farm & sequel - very good on teenage psychology, parents and family dynamics. It's a shame they aren't better known.

I totally agree and for me these stories are the highlight of Enid Blyton's literary output.