I've just finished Journal 36, and once again it was full of great articles.
It kicked off with John Lester's thoughts on Enid's books, in particular The Boy Next Door. I only came across this book a few years ago, and really enjoyed it, however, I never noticed before that one of the adults is called Mr Cunningham - interesting that Enid should have used that surname more than once. I enjoyed seeing a mixture of illustrations accompanying the article, as I only have one version of the book. It was also interesting that John made comparisons with Violet Needham's book The House of the Paladin which I read for the first time a year or two ago and really enjoyed. I know it's an Enid Blyton Journal, but I do think it's nice to have other favourite authors mentioned from time to time. It would seem that often us 'Blytonians' have similar tastes elsewhere too.
Sheila Ray's article compared Elinor Brent-Dyer and Enid Blyton. I have read a number of the former's books, so again it was interesting to see someone else's thoughts on an author that I am familiar with. Personally I much prefer Enid Blyton though.
David Cook looked at The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat which he described as Enid's best whodunnit. I do agree it is certainly one of her best plots. I was also interested to read that he had performed in the Pirates of Penzance in Bourne End. Not only have I visited Bourne End, but I've also been in a production of that play.
David Chamber's article contained a selection of Enid's letters from Teachers World. I particularly enjoyed the one about Enid having a 'marrow doll' as a child. Something that I'd had briefly myself as a child too, although I did have plenty of 'normal' dolls too.
I really enjoyed Terry Gustafson's examples of Enid and her characters being mentioned in the media. Who would have thought that Jackie Collins and Round the Horne would have something in common? I also enjoyed the example from Joyce Grenfell whose style I particularly enjoy.
The selection of First Day covers was fascinating as I had no idea there was such a variety. I assumed it was just an ordinary envelope with all the Enid Blyton stamps on it. I do have the set of postcards that were issued at the same time.
I liked Imogen Smallwood's article about the book 'Mary Carries On' which includes an item about Enid Blyton - I will see if I can track down a copy of that. It always seems a little strange to me to see Imogen writing about 'Enid' rather than 'my mother' though.
Robert Houghton reviews The Hidey-Hole, which again I only read for the first time as an adult. I remember next to nothing about the book, but assumed it was because my memory isn't as good these days, but from his summary, I wonder if it was because the book isn't a particularly memorable one, unless one enjoys lengthy descriptions of blackberry picking.
When I first started reading his articles on the 'Family' books, I assumed it would end once he had covered all those about the 'caravan' children. I've found it very interesting that he's included so many more books under that heading.
It was very interesting to read Nicolette Jones' talk from the Enid Blyton Day of 2008. I was rather annoyed to read of Philip Pullman's scathing comment about Enid's books - apart from wanting to leap to her defence, I thought it very narrow minded of him to make such a sweeping comment that all Enid's books are "..... such absolute trash". I've never read any of his books, from what I've heard of them, I don't think they'd appeal to me, and after reading that comment, I don't feel I want to even try them. I wonder if his books will still be in print in 100 years or so??
Anita gives a spoiler alert at the beginning of her concluding review of The Family at Red Roofs. Fortunately I'd read the book so was able to read her comments. This is yet another book I only read as an adult, and to begin with I couldn't really get into it, and actually put it to one side without finishing it, before eventually starting again. I think probably I found it very similar to other books and so it didn't hold my interest quite so much. However, I did find Anita's comments about the ending very interesting, as they are completely opposite to how I would have felt as a child. I'm sure that if I'd read it at the 'correct' age, I would have enjoyed it as it finished as I would expect an Enid Blyton book to end. Her comparison to the endings of books such as A Little Princess is exactly the reason why I turned to Enid Blyton books far more than other authors. I especially felt a kindred spirit to Enid where she was quoted as not enjoying the Grimm's fairytales as being "cruel and frightening".
I really enjoyed her inclusion of comments by Arthur Mee which I think would be of a great help to people who sweepingly describe Enid as sexist - society in the 1940s and earlier when Enid was growing up was very different to what it is today. I did feel though that Arthur Mee was writing for middle class women, as I don't think any of my female ancestors would have had an opportunity to develop their talents alongside running a house. I suspect his idea of a woman 'running a house' was more along the lines of making sure they knew how to train up their servants/cooks etc. Something Enid apparently followed as Gillian Baverstock is quoted as saying that her mother couldn't manage much more than tea and boiling an egg and paid other people to do things for her instead.
I loved the article on "Manners" from 1925 - I wonder which shops Enid went to, and which department store was so helpful? The way she describes being passed from one assistant to another put me in mind of 'Are You Being Served'.
Dennis T. Worley gives a very interesting review of all the characters of the Secret Seven. Usually conversations seem to focus mostly on 'bossy' Peter and 'annoying' Susie, so it was good to see what information is available on the remaining members of the SS.
The penultimate page is a gorgeous illustration by Eileen Soper and the back page feature yet another discovery of a Birns Brothers book - always fascinating to have a glimpse of some of Enid's earliest works.
Sorry for such a lengthy review, but I really couldn't single out just one or two 'best bits' as they were all good.
Just as a little aside, I discovered a 'book mark' in this Journal. It contains a voucher for a free gift when ordering a catalogue. As there may be people reading this of an innocent nature, I will not give any further details, other than to say that anyone putting in an order has to be over 18, and is assured that the catalogue will arrive in 'discreet packaging'!! I can't remember where I bought this particular journal from - I know it didn't come directly from Tony.
Either whoever first owned the journal had a very wide ranging taste in literature, or it was sold via a shop of some sort, and the bookmark may have been accidently pushed inside at some point.