What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

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Courtenay
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Courtenay »

It wasn't my idea — I think it was IceMaiden's. :wink:
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Francis
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Francis »

This Bill being a villain has got me thinking that perhaps 'Island' would be a better starter ....but then 'Valley' and 'Sea' are so good!
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Francis »

It wasn't my idea — I think it was IceMaiden's.

Sorry Icemaiden - I shouldn't mess with Philippa Vale!
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Francis »

Rob Houghton wrote:The first Adventure book I read as a child was 'Valley' - a school library book which we were allowed to read when we'd finished our work, while waiting for others to catch up (those were the days!!). I didn't really realise then that it was part of a series, and I loved it as an individual book. In fact I got to the last page and immediately opened it at the front again, so I wouldn't have to choose another book!

Then I bought my own copy of 'Island' -- and I found the first chapter so boring that I didn't pick it up again for maybe another 15 years! The opening chapter with Philip and the disembodied voice etc did nothing to hold me, and this is where I formed my opinion that Kiki was an annoying distraction, which put me off the rest of the Adventure books until I was in my 20's! This is why I would recommend Valley before Island. Valley held me transfixed as a child - but I never got past the first chapter of Island.
Sounds like my experience with 'The Mountain of Adventure' which I also borrowed from the school library (Whipton Infants School). I read it several times one after another. I hated giving it back!
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Francis
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Francis »

Anita Bensoussane wrote:As a child I read Valley first, followed by a couple of others before I encountered Island. I didn't mind coming to the books out of order as it was so fascinating reading Island having already met the children and Bill. Seeing how the two sets of siblings made friends and how Bill came into their lives was especially touching and meaningful because I knew of later developments.
I never really thought of it that way, Anita, but you are quite right. I can see you are a real romantic! On which point the whole series is a romance which culminates in book 6.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Lucky Star »

The very first book I ever read on my own was The Sea of Adventure. Forty odd years of solid reading later I feel it must have had some sort of good effect upon me. :lol:
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Francis »

My 'first' was 'The Mountain of Adventure' and it kicked me off into the wonderful world of books I will always be grateful for that.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Moonraker »

I am about to start reading House at the Corner. I haven't read this for many years.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by IceMaiden »

Francis wrote:It wasn't my idea — I think it was IceMaiden's.

Sorry Icemaiden - I shouldn't mess with Philippa Vale!
:lol: No worries Francis! I know it's a short story, but that means you'll have read it in a couple of nights and can then start on another :D

The very first Adventure book I read was Island and then Valley as that's all the library had. They were paperback copies and I recall really liking the picture on the Valley one, unusual for me as I don't like anything but the original as a general rule.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Courtenay »

I would still put in a recommendation for Five on a Treasure Island too, Francis, if your granddaughter is happy to try it. It's got it all, really — a determinedly "different" and rebellious heroine who gradually softens as she realises how good it is to be friends with her cousins, yet doesn't lose her individualistic streak (George is a really strong character in the early books; it's later on in the series that I think she starts becoming a bit of a tiresome caricature of herself); a private island with a mysterious ruined castle; the shipwreck being washed up from the deep; the mystery of the treasure hidden in the dungeons and the quest to find it as it turns out there are baddies also in pursuit... :D All these things could easily be cliched, of course, but in that first book Enid really handles all those elements masterfully for an unforgettable adventure.
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Francis
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Francis »

I agree with you, Courtenay - it is a real classic and started the 'Golden Age' of Enid's work. The only problem is that I keep changing my mind!
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Francis
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Francis »

IceMaiden wrote:
Francis wrote:It wasn't my idea — I think it was IceMaiden's.

Sorry Icemaiden - I shouldn't mess with Philippa Vale!
:lol: No worries Francis! I know it's a short story, but that means you'll have read it in a couple of nights and can then start on another :D

The very first Adventure book I read was Island and then Valley as that's all the library had. They were paperback copies and I recall really liking the picture on the Valley one, unusual for me as I don't like anything but the original as a general rule.
I was lucky enough to grow up in the era of hardback books with the wonderful illustrations that made these books a real joy - especially 'Valley'.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Rob Houghton »

The first Adventure book I ever read was 'Valley' - a school library book, as I said earlier - this paperback copy -
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'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Francis
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Francis »

I have never seen that version, John - quite a nice cover.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

Take a look in the Cave, Francis, all the covers for the books are in there. No need to miss out on any cover design at all. :D
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