I started this review a week ago and unbelievably just as I neared the end of it all the power went off as some men working on the roads sliced through a cable or something. I lost the entire thing and that threw me into a rotten mood so I abandoned the effort and am only now returning to it.
I began with Anita's FOATI article. I was initially confused as I tore into it too quickly to notice the "part one" under the title and so reached the end thinking "she's left quite a lot out this time". I quickly realised the error and am very pleased indeed that there is to be more on this one of my favourite books. It's combination of freshness, adventure, remote islands, castle and boats grabbed me instantly. And when a violent storm threw an old wrecked sailing ship up out of the sea and Eileen Soper helpfully provided one of the most dramatic illustrations in all Blyton to show me the scene I was hooked for life on this book. I agree wholeheartedly with Anita on the quality of Soper's work on this book. Every picture is simply bursting with life and is utterly evocative of the mood in that part of the book. I really feel sorry for people who read later editions without these illustrations. In my opinion they missed out on a large chunk of what makes the book special. It's possibly the knowledge that another twenty adventures stretch out ahead that make me always feel like I'm at the start of the hols when I read this book. It heralds in an endless vista of fun and adventure ahead.
I've actually never read Sheila Ray's seminal work on Blyton but she sounds like a fascinating person. As someone else said it is odd how she steered librarians away from Enid only to reassess her own opinions later on. And her house sounds divine. An isolated cottage crammed with books? Lead me there please.
John Lester's article on Philip's pets was thoroughly enjoyable. As the Adventure series remains my all time favourite Blyton book series I was already familiar with his predilection for collecting unusual pets. But having them all laid out in one handy article lays out not only how good he was with animals but also Enid's own inventiveness in always managing to find him something new to carry about in each book.
Likewise Angela Canning's article brought home just how much time, money and energy Enid invested in her charities. Again I knew she did a lot for charity but seeing it all laid out over three or four pages makes it look awe inspiring.
Ilsa's letter from Sniffer was a brilliant idea. He'a rather a minor character in the overall Blyton canon but still a very lovable one so it was great to her a little more from him and to hear that he finally got his desired bicycle. Ilsa manages to get the tone of his letter perfectly correct; it really could have been written by the child himself.
On to Rob Houghton's cookery book. Unlike Nigel I find the idea excellent, a perfect foil for covering a wide number of books in one article and Rob always makes the discussion a lively one. I often find myself nodding in agreement with Rob (I think we're a similar age, perhaps that has something to do with it) and here no exception as
Mr Galliano's Circus is one of my favourite books as well. I too dreamed of being Jimmy Brown and thought his life was utterly perfect. What I wouldn't have given to do the same and never have to go to school again. Unlike Rob I often went to circuses in real life and always loved them. I did not find them disappointing in the least although it's now been about thirty five years since I last saw one. I'm sure they've changed. I also thought the final installment
Circus days Again was the strongest in terms of it's plot and character development but it's the original book which will always live largest in my memory, my own personal favourite.
The Circus Book sounds fascinating. I always find something new in Rob's articles and this time it's that book. I can dimly recall reading some discussion of it in the past but I've certainly never read it. Given that Rob rates it as "hard to find in any form" I probably never will. But overall another great article in this dynamic cookbook series.
David Chambers has obviously put a great deal of research into his highly interesting article on Enid's output. This is a subject which often provokes lively debate and it was good to have a sensible and structured approach taken to it.
Likewise our own Tim Venning's outstanding research into the locations of the 1978 FF TV series continues to make hugely enjoyable reading. I take my hat off to Tim for ferreting out so many of the original locations even though many of them have changed over the years. The photos he has supplied bring back instant memories of the scenes which were played out there. Hopefully this series will run and run.
The Famous Five and the Scientists was another great read. William Ferguson's wide ranging article held my attention from beginning to end with it's clever mix of the factual and the fictional.
Enid's own contributions were outstanding as always.
The Magic Nectar reminded me vaguely of the later
Book of Brownies with it's quest through Fairyland for something important. It's always great to see Enid's early works as they show us clearly how she made her way towards the eventual bestsellers which we know and love so well.
Thanks as always to all the contributors and again as always to our tireless editor who pulls the whole thing together in a manner few other magazine subscribers would believe possible for the price. The EBS Journal is always outstanding value for money and a thing of beauty to hold and behold. Number 67 now takes it's place proudly on the shelf next to all it's predecessors.
And when we want to do the crossword puzzle, it only works by printing it out.
