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 »

Anita Bensoussane wrote: Of course, it would have made even more sense simply to translate what Enid Blyton wrote!
Yeah, that's what I still don't get. When I learned languages at school and university and we were asked to "translate" from, say, Japanese to English or English to Japanese, it meant just that — convey the same meaning from one language into the other, as closely as possible. Obviously all languages have expressions that won't make sense when translated word for word, but there's almost always some way of getting the essential meaning across, even if it loses something of the original (like a clever play on words or a particularly beautiful phrasing). And Enid always writes in such clear, straightforward language that I can't imagine a translation of her books taking the same effort as, say, translating Shakespeare or the Bible. Why then would any translator leave out some parts and rewrite others completely? Do they think they're writing Enid's works better than Enid herself did? :roll: :x Just bizarre.
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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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db105
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by db105 »

Courtenay wrote:And Enid always writes in such clear, straightforward language that I can't imagine a translation of her books taking the same effort as, say, translating Shakespeare or the Bible. Why then would any translator leave out some parts and rewrite others completely? Do they think they're writing Enid's works better than Enid herself did? :roll: :x Just bizarre.
Maybe they wanted to abridge the book, to save pages and therefore print it cheaper?
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Darrell71 »

The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor.
I adore this book, and I'm pretty sure that if I was in Elizabeth's position, I would've liked Julian. (as in like liked.) For this one pair alone, I wish Blyton had shown them together.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Fiona1986 »

I've just finished Those Dreadful Children. I have struggled to read much lately as I've been pretty tired and have had other things to think about/do so it was nice to get through that between some bed time reading last night and over lunch today. My views on the book's themes have changed as I've grown up and I think I've seen them a little differently again this time with the thought of being a parent myself soon.
"It's the ash! It's falling!" yelled Julian, almost startling Dick out of his wits...
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.


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

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

I'm reading Spiggy Holes, I'd forgotten exactly what the Spiggy Holes were. :lol:

Nice to read this book again, I'll go through the series now.

8)
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"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"

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

Post by John Pickup »

I read Spiggy Holes about three weeks ago, Julie, and enjoyed it immensely.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

Are you going through the series, John?

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

Post by Darrell71 »

Five on a Treasure Island
Only read this about twice before, and one of those times was almost 7 years ago! Quite enjoying it so far, but only into the first few chapters at this moment.
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Machupicchu14 »

Five on a treasure Island is literally the best FF book (for me) ;)
I love rereading it!!
"All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love."
(все, что я понимаю, я понимаю только потому, что люблю)
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John Pickup
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by John Pickup »

Julie2owlsdene wrote:Are you going through the series, John?
I read Secret Island last year and Spiggy Holes the other week. So I suppose the answer is yes but with a considerable gap between each book. :D
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Darrell71 »

Stopped Treasure Island in the middle and went on to Strange Bundle, as people seem to think it's humorous but I haven't read it in years and can't remember much!
One question though:
I have a 2009 Egmont edition, and in that, at the end of the second chapter, Fatty's mom says:
"Don't worry. There's roast chicken and all the etceteras if you want some." I found such a usage of etcetera rather weird, so I just wanna ask if it is the same in your old/original editions.
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Courtenay
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Courtenay »

Yes, it's in my 1970s Dragon edition, which as far as I know has the original text. Bit of an odd usage, though, I agree — the usual saying is "all the trimmings"!
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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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Darrell71
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Darrell71 »

Yep, all the trimmings, or all the works comes to mind.
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Machupicchu14
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Machupicchu14 »

I'm soo thrilled!!!! :D I have just been to the library and to my satisfaction, the Cherry Tree Farm Story Collection has arrived!!! With the Galliano's Collection, this was the one I most wanted... I can't wait to start reading!!!!! 8)
"All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love."
(все, что я понимаю, я понимаю только потому, что люблю)
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Re: What Enid Blyton book are you reading right NOW!

Post by Rob Houghton »

I'm sure you'll enjoy them all - especially Galliano's Circus. :-) I'm not so keen on Cherry Tree Farm but the next two books in the series are much better plots.

I feel quite envious when I hear about people having the pleasure of reading a story for the first time - I've read every series book she wrote, so can never have that thrill again! :-(
'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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