The Magic Faraway Tree in The Bookseller

[Kate Mary]

In the latest issue of The Bookseller Magazine, there is an interesting article written by Martin Latham, manager of Waterstone’s in Canterbury, I don’t suppose many people ever see The Bookseller as it is a trade magazine. Titled “Guilt-Free Reading”, Martin Latham says that ‘our much loved Enid Blyton will easily outlast Ian McEwan’, he goes on:

“Our reading is ‘tyrannised’ by our need to be ‘cultured’. We all have worthy books glaring at us at home, the books we ought to read…. In 20 years of interviewing for booksellers, one much-loved book stands out: not Proust or old set-text Salinger, but The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. Again and again, slightly shamefacedly, people confess that this book touched them like no other. Clinical Ian McEwan and dreary Martin Amis have been memorably described as writing about ‘b*****y among the architect classes’. They don’t involve people the way Blyton does and Enid will outlast them.”

It is nice to see Enid getting her due.

Kate.

[Lucky Star]

Very interesting kate and so true. I have read literally thousands of authors and Blyton is still the one I return to every time. I'm very pleased to hear that someone in the trade thinks the same. She really has outlasted all but the great classic writers at this stage. Thanks for posting that.

[Pippa-Stef]

I agree! Whenever I can't find anything else I want to read, I always return to dear old Enid!

nothing like an innuendo free book!

[Anita Bensoussane]

[Pippa-Stef:] nothing like an innuendo free book!

Well, except for the Dicks and Fannies and spankings!

[Pippa-Stef]

[Pippa-Stef:] nothing like an innuendo free book!

Well, except for the Dicks and Fannies and spankings!

I'm going to ignore that Anita! You're taking the Mic!

[lizarfau]

Here in the Australian state of Victoria, kids are encouraged to take something called The Premier's Reading Challenge, which involves reading a varying number of books (depending on your age group) within a certain period of time. There is a huge list of approved books for the Challenge, and then you're allowed to have a smaller number of books of your own choice. I was very pleased to see that Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree and Wishing Chair books are given the official OK by the powers that be for younger kids to read for the Challenge.

[Moonraker]

[Pippa-Stef:] nothing like an innuendo free book!

Well, except for the Dicks and Fannies and spankings!

Anita, how could you - what would Julian say?

[Anita Bensoussane]

Not sure what Julian would say, but Enid Blyton would probably send me straight to bed with no supper!

On the way back from the beach this afternoon, my son and I popped into WHSmith and were delighted to see a whole bookcase of five shelves completely devoted to Enid Blyton - Find-Outers, Adventure, Famous Five, Secret Seven, Malory Towers, St. Clare's, Naughtiest Girl, Faraway Tree, Wishing Chair, Amelia Jane and O' Clock Tales as well as a few others. Almost every title in each series appeared to be available. Fabulous!

Anita

[Moonraker]

That is incredible, Anita. I think I would have had a word with the book buyer, just to see if he or she was a fan!

On the other hand, maybe not....

[Lucky Star]

That really is great to hear Anita. My local WHSmith has only a rather poor selection of Blytons. I have also noticed recently that the Books etc branch at the airport has a pretty good selection in stock again. They had let their selection dwindle for a while but have now pulled their socks up with a good array of Fives, Mysteries, Malory Towers and St Clares plus the Faraway Tree series. Popular demand perhaps.

[Rob Houghton]

Talking of Enid Blyton books, has anyone seen a copy of the fascimile (sp?)
edition of 'Enid Blyton's Nature Lovers Book' in the shops yet?

[Anita Bensoussane]

I hadn't realised it was out yet until I read your post, Robert. Thanks - I intend to get a copy soon.

Anita

[Moonraker]

Check out Play.com for a few details!

[Rob Houghton]

Trouble is, it seems to be on various websites (including Amazon) but not in any shops. Typical.

[Gavin]

Talking of Enid Blyton books, has anyone seen a copy of the fascimile (sp?)
edition of 'Enid Blyton's Nature Lovers Book' in the shops yet?

I wasn't aware of this! I've taken a look on Play.com and it looks great! Is it a direct copy of the original (i.e. no annoying political correctness (not that there would be much in a nature book)) with the original illustrations?

As for the Magic Faraway Tree, that was a book that I kept beside me for bedtime reading as a child - I used to dip in and out of chapters, reading little bits of various stories from it. I'm still not sure if I read it cover to cover in the usual sense but I absolutely loved it!