Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

The books! Over seven hundred of them and still counting...
Post Reply
User avatar
Daisy
Posts: 16632
Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Daisy »

I shall probably read it before Easter too... we'll have to remember what we want to comment on though. Does anyone make notes as they read? I don't, but I'm beginning to think that I should!
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.

Society Member
User avatar
sixret
Posts: 4130
Joined: 16 Aug 2006, 14:25
Favourite book/series: Five Find-Outers,Mr.Twiddle,Barney R
Favourite character: Mr.Twiddle,Fatty,Saucepan,Snubby

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by sixret »

No, I don't. I dislike my reading momentum being disturbed.
I stand with justice and the truth. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea.

Learn the history. Do research.

The hypocrisy, double standard, prejudice and bigotry own by some people is so obvious.Shame on them!
User avatar
Anita Bensoussane
Forum Administrator
Posts: 26772
Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
Location: UK

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

I don't make copious notes but I jot down occasional page numbers together with a few words to remind myself what I'd like to comment on or ask about.

Edit: Hope you don't mind, Pete, but I've changed the topic title now we know which books we're discussing. That'll make it easier to find in the future.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


Society Member
User avatar
Daisy
Posts: 16632
Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Daisy »

Good idea Anita... both the noting of relevant pages and the altering of the thread title.
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.

Society Member
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17573
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by pete9012S »

The edit is great! Thank you Anita. :D
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
User avatar
Courtenay
Posts: 19275
Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
Favourite character: Lotta
Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Courtenay »

And then we can use this thread for the discussion when it starts too — good move, Anita. :D
Society Member

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)
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17573
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by pete9012S »

Image
The Secret of Cliff Castle
Story: Extract from book of same title
Smuggler Ben
Story: From book of same title
http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... e+Treasury" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just a point that Enid Blyton's Adventure Treasury contains the two stories with colour illustrations by the second illustrators used by the publishers if anyone wants to read the stories from that book.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Rob Houghton »

It contains the whole of Smuggler Ben but only a chapter of Cliff Castle. :-)
'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)



Society Member
User avatar
Courtenay
Posts: 19275
Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
Favourite character: Lotta
Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Courtenay »

I've come back from a week's holiday to find my volume of the two books has arrived, so I'm set to go — I might start tonight. :D I assume we're going to read Smuggler Ben first?
Society Member

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)
User avatar
Anita Bensoussane
Forum Administrator
Posts: 26772
Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
Location: UK

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

I suggest that we start with Smuggler Ben and move on to Cliff Castle once the Smuggler Ben discussion peters out. I started Smuggler Ben yesterday and will probably read both books before the Readathon begins on 21st April, but as I go I'm making a note of things I find particularly interesting.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Rob Houghton »

Yes - Smuggler Ben was number 1 choice, so I guess it makes sense to read it first. :-D
'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)



Society Member
User avatar
Courtenay
Posts: 19275
Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
Favourite character: Lotta
Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Courtenay »

I've just read the first chapter. Don't worry, I won't go into any discussion of it until the proper starting date (Friday next week), but I must say, it was delightful to read about the old thatched cottage and the tiny village by the sea when I've just come back from a holiday in Cornwall (with perfect weather almost every day) myself! :D
Society Member

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)
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17573
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by pete9012S »

I could be wrong,but the description of the holiday cottage and it's layout reminded me a little of the cottage in the woods in Ring O' Bells Mystery and also the cottage Wilfrid was living in in Five Have A Mystery To Solve..

I will have to compare the texts in greater detail.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
User avatar
Daisy
Posts: 16632
Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Daisy »

I have now read both books - I read Smuggler Ben first although it comes after Cliff Castle in my two-in-one book. I remember first reading these in editions with Mary Pollock's name on the covers. I won't comment further until more people have finished them.
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.

Society Member
User avatar
Anita Bensoussane
Forum Administrator
Posts: 26772
Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
Location: UK

Re: Readathon - Smuggler Ben and Cliff Castle

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

I've been caving with Ben & co. and I'm now castling with Brock & co. Looking forward to the Readathon!
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


Society Member
Post Reply