The Enid Blyton Society

That didn't take long for someone to extinguish your flame of delight, Pauline! I hope your purchase lives up to your expectations! However, I would urge you to seek out the original titles in this series and you can then compare them for yourself. I am sure you will agree with Rob that they are far superior. It will be interesting to hear what you think of your book, though, not having read the original.

It really is true, though! I admit I haven't read 'The Riddle of the Boy Next Door' - but if its anything like 'The Riddle of the Rajah's Ruby' I wouldn't recommend it. Originals are always best, as we know!

Yet so many of buy and read later paperbacks - Anita, take note!

Oh dear....disappointed already; it is, of course, the updated version, and not even by our dear Enid...

I think its great to read earlier paperbacks - most of my books as a kid were either Deans or paperback versions...but these days paperbacks have usually been bowdlerised and had so many edits and alterations. As long as readers are aware of that fact, then paperbacks are a good cheaper alternative to buying the originals - but most of them won't be entirely the original text...and any of the 'Riddle' series have been completely rewritten, even having added child characters (and animals) in them!

But are they that much cheaper? I have seen many original h/bs priced between £1-£5.

Well, depends if you want a 'reading copy' hardback (which would probably still cost £5 or more likely £6 - £8, or a better copy which would cost more, lol!

I agree some paperbacks are being sold for ridiculous prices (especially on ebay) but I was thinking more along the lines of modern EB books you'd find in charity shops for 50p each etc.

Tony has an absolutely superb collection of paperbacks, but I can't remember what thread the picture appeared in.

Found them!

A great collection, of course - although I was thinking more about people who are buying 2017 paperbacks in a charity shop or jumble sale!