Five on a Secret Trail: a Missed Opportunity?

[Nair Snehalatha]

It wont do to rewrite Mystery.Moor and leave Henry out-- point one would be that the magic spell of the story.woven.by Enid Blyton would never be there-- and point two is to weigh Henry's good points-- which certainly cancels her immaturity.Shes a good sport-- and rescues George and Anne , with the help of William when they are in real trouble
So I dont agree with Moonraker-- forgive me if you think.I am indulgent

[pete9012S]

Yes, I agree.
Henry is probably one of my least favourite Enid Blyton characters ever.
Along with Eunice from the Find Outers, I certainly wouldn't mind if they were both completely obliterated from the books.

[Boodi 2]

Oh dear, while I am not a 'fan of Henry I adore Eunice Tolling and would really have liked to see her in more of the FFO books. Come to think of it, Eunice and Ern would have been a super combination!!!

[Jack400]

I think that having Eunice in the story added to the humour , gave Fatty a run for his money and enabled quite a few plot devices that helped make the story different from the norm.

[Lucky Star]

gave Fatty a run for his money .

Since he took up jogging to escape from her this is quite literally true.

I enjoyed Eunice’s appearance in Missing Man and could have stood another appearance from her. Henry was definitely a one time only character but she suited the story of Mystery Moor.

[Hannah]

I think Eunice was needed for the plot but she sure went on my nerves!
(I'd have probably gotten into trouble with such a visitor for telling her what I thought of her. I'm afraid I'm not as polite as Fatty .)

[Nair Snehalatha]

Eunice was ok I feel-- except for her I-know-all nature.I would love to know what happened to her later.Enid.blyton.did not do justice to the supporting chatacters--.who helped to keep the story alive and vibrant. We are left to assume they continued to be ftiends with the main characters-- and popped in and out of sheds.and houses of the SS, THE famous five, findouters etc
.
.--

[pete9012S]

Great point.
Let's not worry about the supporting characters imaginary future activities, rather let's rejoice and enjoy the wonderful marvellous books, especially the outstanding short stories which are the best short stories ever created.

[John Pickup]

Well said, Pete. The supporting characters in the books did their job which was to enhance the storyline. Although I am grateful that Enid only used Junior once!

[Nair Snehalatha]

I agree a million.times with Pete-- lets enjoy the phenomenal stories by such a phenomenal writer-- who made her stories alive for us-- Still, I always do think in nostalgia of all the supporting characters-- Sniffer too -- Aily,.Luke of Disappearing cat .etc-- Lets hope they are all doing fine as they are in our creative minds.

[pete9012S]

Ah Junior, John. If ever there was an imaginary character you would like to horsewhip there's the one!

George handled him well though didn't she!

[Barnard]

It does not matter in the slightest about the supporting characters. Who cares what is happening to Twit the Baker, Sniffer, Eunice, Lady Candling, Henrietta, Berta and many others. They are in one story and they then disappear. Quite right too!

[dsr]

I agree a million.times with Pete-- lets enjoy the phenomenal stories by such a phenomenal writer-- who made her stories alive for us-- Still, I always do think in nostalgia of all the supporting characters-- Sniffer too -- Aily,.Luke of Disappearing cat .etc-- Lets hope they are all doing fine as they are in our creative minds.

I can tell you about Luke. He left Lady Candling's after the unpleasantness to take up a similar job in Cornwall, after Lady Candling by way of apology gave him a strong reference and a personal recommendation. He did well and worked his way up to head gardener, but then the combination of the war and the introduction of inheritance tax put him out of a job. By which time he was married with a child on the way. He was employed by Truro council in the parks and gardens department and did pretty well - he could have taken the role of head of department but he didn't fancy an office job. Retiring at 65, he is still (age 92) tending his own garden, with one of his great-grandchildren (who inherited the green fingers) helping out, and is still able to walk down to the Truro public parks and reminisce about how it's not like it was in his day!

Hope that helps.

[pete9012S]

[Wolfgang]

I agree with dsr though that things change . Until I was around 25 oder maybe even 30 I didn't mind sleeping on camping mat.

I suppose it couldn't be that long ago, could it ?