The Enid Blyton Society

Anita Bensoussane wrote: We've discussed the "crayons" received by Gillian before, and they turned out to be "crépons":

Also, it struck me that the frequent mentions of 'Imp' should surely have been 'Imo'?

I asked about that last time, but Duncan said he thought it was "Imp".

Green Hedges wrote:The Fattyless Find-Outers enjoy a tea during which they demolish 24 cakes between them. (How many would they have got through if Fatty had been with them?)

I always wonder about that too. As well as the 24 cakes, they have ice-creams and sweet lemonade!

In Pantomime Cat the boys (Fatty and Larry) see a sign advertising 'Snacks' outside the Turret coffee shop, and it rather seems that Enid isn't entirely sure what 'snacks' are - so she has the the boys ordering 'Coffee, sandwiches and snacks'. They have mugs of coffee, a plate of egg, potted meat, and cress sandwiches and a tray of 'delicious looking' snacks. Enid never describes what the 'snacks' are (perhaps she didn't like to display her ignorance!) but Fatty talks quite a lot about 'snacks' and they eat quite a few, ask Mr Goon if he has come in the cafe for 'some snacks' and question the girl behind the counter, if the suspects ate any 'snacks when they visited'.

Maybe we all think of 'snacks' as different things, but I tend to call cheese on toast or beans on toast etc as a 'snack' - but the boys eat six each!

That reminds me, Rob. When I read Pantomime Cat recently I took a careful look at the "snacks" scene, specifically because you'd mentioned it before. I was interested to find that although Enid does repeatedly refer to "snacks" without telling us what they are, she initially has Fatty ask for "Coffee for two, please... And sandwiches. And something snacky." Later he says "Oh dear — I wish I hadn't snacked quite so much." (emphases added) So I get the impression Enid was aware of "snack" being a generic term for a small item of food eaten between meals, or she probably wouldn't have used it as an adjective and a verb in that way. I agree, though, it does sound a bit odd the way she keeps repeating the term without specifying what it was the boys actually ate!

Yes - I agree - she knew what a 'snack' was in generic terms but doesn't seem to know exactly what a 'snack' might be - a teacake, a crumpet, cheese on toast, even a hot dog could be described as a snack - but I'm presuming these 'snacks' were maybe very small - almost like vol-au-vents maybe.

A snack might include a crepon or a crayon, plus six cakes, but never two days in a row!

Quite right about crayon being crepon, Anita. Surprising how quickly one can forget things. Or is it just me?

I'll adjust the text.

Duncan

Green Hedges wrote:Something to while away a sunny Sunday afternoon in October: http://www.enidblyton.me.uk/styled-24/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Excellent, Duncan !
It's always such a pleasure to read your articles. Thank you!!!
According to my print outs you've covered now 10 FFO & Dog books. Five more to go...I can't wait.

Anita Bensoussane wrote:Pity Tesco isn't "Tresco", which was the name of Enid Blyton's first school!

Tresco is also the name of the prettiest isle among the Isles of Scilly.

Here's an analysis of Mystery of Holly Lane: http://www.enidblyton.me.uk/styled-25/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Spoiler alert, the plot of the well-crafted novel is laid bare. Why this might be worth reading is that I had a look at the original typescript at Seven Stories and that informs the analysis, leading to some potential insights into Enid's use of her signature.

Duncan

A very interesting and comprehensive article, Duncan.

Many thanks Duncan - I've made a start on the article and I'm enjoying it immensely.
Your article made me want to take a look at some of the more up to date covers:



2013 edition?


2016 Hodder, not illustrated, cover by Timothy Banks
All those who align themselves with Maxey's knockers,see what you make artistically of Buster in the pic above?

I took a quick look at the more modern covers available for Holly Lane and came across two I had never seen before.
I think the more modern 2016 cover is in the cave.I can't find the 2013 cover,but I only had a quick look for it in the cave.
It may be in the Dean's Reward section?

Now back to Duncan's article...

I've just noticed that in the above cover design, 'Marian' has an Afro hair style. Bizarre!

An interesting analysis of the typescript of The Mystery of Holly Lane, Duncan, especially the deleted sentences and the thoughts about the chapter titles being added at the end.

pete9012S wrote:All those who align themselves with Maxey's knockers...

Certainly a bizarre depiction of Buster on the 2016 cover, though I do quite like the dreamy colours and swirls.

Rob Houghton wrote:I've just noticed that in the above cover design, 'Marian' has an Afro hair style. Bizarre!

I imagine Marian has been portrayed as a black character for the sake of diversity. It may make the book seem more up to date and help readers of all races feel part of the fictional world - though of course it could be argued that a black Marian is not what Enid Blyton intended and doesn't reflect life in a small English village in the early 1950s. Award did the same in their short story collections - i.e. some characters were shown in the illustrations as being of black or Asian heritage.

The 2013 (?) cover features one of the original internal pictures by Treyer Evans with the addition of bold colour to give it a fresh feel. Not a bad idea, though I'd prefer it if the colouring looked slightly more subtle and natural.

Anita Bensoussane wrote:I imagine Marian has been portrayed as a black character for the sake of diversity. It may make the book seem more up to date and help readers of all races feel part of the fictional world - though of course it could be argued that a black Marian is not what Enid Blyton intended and doesn't reflect life in a small English village in the early 1950s. Award did the same in their short story collections - i.e. some characters were shown in the illustrations as being of black or Asian heritage.

Interesting! I bet that none of the baddies (ie Wilfrid) have been turned into black or Asian characters though...! Then again, I suppose they could get away with that, as Marian and Wilfrid are cousins. Enid describes Marian as 'A white faced girl' when the Find Outers discover her locked up and free her (depicted on the cover, so no real plot spoiler!!) so presumably these texts have been altered. If Marian really has 'become black' then her grand father must also be black. That alters quite a bit of the text, I should think!

Very interesting exploration of the typescript of Holly Lane - really enjoyed reading it. I found it interesting that originally Enid had decided to call the house Pine Trees (pintriss) but then altered it to the much better-sounding 'Grintriss' or Green Trees.