Six Cousins at Mistletoe Farm and Six Cousins Again

[Rob Houghton]

I totally agree too: the Six Cousins books stand out a little from most of Enid's other novels, as I feel they are more 'adult' than most, and very well written.

[Lucky Star]

I totally agree too: the Six Cousins books stand out a little from most of Enid's other novels, as I feel they are more 'adult' than most, and very well written.

Me too. The books revolve around the awkward relationships between two sets of cousins, each of them with flaws, who are thrown together and must make the best of it. Blyton creates a wonderful set of personalities all of whom grow and learn from each other as the books progress. There is love, drama, fights and a whole heap of countryside information all rolled up in Enid's unrivalled ability to evoke the atmosphere of a farm. You cannot go wrong with these books.

[Nick]

Thanks for the replies.

I started Mistletoe Farm last night and will report back when finished!

[Moth]

I too rate these as among my favourites (but then I really enjoy the non-mystery adventure books). The passing of the seasons is so beautifully evocative and (while I dislike the character) Rose adds a certain cotrating point to the whole thing.

Have just read brilliant review in Cave of Books, it beautifully sums up why I love these particular stories. About the sandals, I imagine that real men would wear working boots especially on a farm; girls being delicate creatures could get dressed up in sandals without comment though. (Need a sarcastic smilie)

[Ming]

Indeed some of the Enid's most mature writing, the Six Cousins are wonderful books. The interaction between the town snobs and the country clods, is amazing.

[Moonraker]

Indeed some of the Enid's most mature writing, the Six Cousins are wonderful books. The interaction between the town snobs and the country clods, is amazing.

Just imagine a Bangladeshi family moving in! Ming the Merciless Meets the Six Cousins would be an excellent read!

[Ming]

Why don't you write it?

[Moonraker]

Why don't you write it?

After reading this thread, I thought I'd re-read the books, but I only have two dogged, torn old paperbacks. Imagine my delight, when in a garden centre earlier today, I found a Dean compendium of the stories for a fiver!



[Edited to correct typo]

[Lucky Star]

Talk about good luck and great timing. Have a good read.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Good value but the title and cover illustration are misleading, suggesting the books are adventure stories rather than family stories.

[Moonraker]

Good value but the title and cover illustration are misleading, suggesting the books are adventure stories rather than family stories.

Yes, exactly what I said in the garden centre! Jane just gave me one of her looks...

[Rob Houghton]

That sort of cover is the sort that annoys me a lot. Many modern Blyton books have such covers, depicting the contents as being somehow mysterious and adventurous when quite often it's not. It's a shame, because in the case of 'The Six Cousins', a child craving an adventure story might well be disappointed by the story inside, and a child who might like the family type story would be put off by the cover and not even buy the book!

[Nick]

What a treat that was.

The setting was typically idyllic and a wonderful place to escape to after a hard day on the road and I found the characters interesting and they developed through out the story. I particularly liked how the characters were more grey than back and white. Each one having flaws but all very likable.

looking forward to reading book 2 when I find it!

[Moonraker]

I have now re-read them. A marvellous couple of stories and I enjoyed them more than I thought I would. In spite of the Dean edition's cover, it was a good £5 worth!

[romanov]

I liked the poetic references by and between Cyril Longfield and his understanding, sensible aunt. I also liked the "changed" Melisande who was just the kind of girlfriend I would have wanted as a teenager. Lucky Richard Lawson !