I read a lot of Enid Blyton when I was a child (probably at the tail end of her greatest popularity). I had a bookcase full of the 'Famous Five', 'Secret Seven' and '...of Adventure' series, but my favourites were the school stories. I especially loved Mallory Towers, where all the girls were very grown up, level headed and well turned out (even the beastliest of girls came round in the end).
Working on 'Midnight Angels' last night, I was struck by how much it owes to 'Mallory Towers'. Not the racier elements of course, but the three new girls (flighty Jess, serious Amanda and Pat, who is so head girl material), how they win others over and make friends with the older girls.
I've only ever toyed with the idea of writing a school story, but somehow I've managed to write one without realising. It's a good thing I noticed before they started organising lacrosse games on the airfield :)
Comments
I think we all read....
.... The Secret Seven & Famous Five, although her stories were lovely, she apparently wasn't very nice herself. My first Gaby Book is almost a tribute to that genre.
I can see the likeness in Midnight Angels, sort of grown up Famous Five, with perhaps a large scoop of Biggles thrown in. What ho Algy old girl!
Hugs,
Angharad.
Angharad
That's a new one for me.
I haven't heard of Enid Blyton and I read a lot. What are her stories about?
Mr. Ram
Enid Mary Blyton 1897-1968
Wrote over 600 children's books, including the Noddy (& Bigg Ears) stories - from whence comes PC Plod. The Secret Seven and Famous Five were two series of books she wrote for older children, although they might be considered a bit juvenile now. She was criticised in recent years for being, racist, sexist and snobbish, but she has to be seen in context of her era, when Britain had an empire and was a world power. In those days, it was acceptable to feel superior, if you were a white middle class Englishwoman. It is now a somewhat old fashioned and politically incorrect attitude to have.
I still think the Brits are superior - but only at track cycling! (We have 7 World Champions, three of whom are called Victoria Pendleton, bless her).
hugs,
Angharad.
Angharad
A decidedly un PC author
Enid Blyton is best known these days for Noddy, although the modern version only superficially resemble the original.
She wrote hundreds of children's stories, many featuring decent, clean living, middle-class children who had adventures, solved mysteries and captured criminals who were invariably foreign, or working class oiks. The 'Famous Five' novels which feature a group of kids who lead an outdoor life, and always get mixed up in adventures (yet still get to eat very well) were hilariously sent up by 'The Comic Strip' in two television films.
The Mallory Towers series is set in a fictional girls' boarding school, where everybody's dreadfully nice, responsible, and when they're not will eventually see the error of their ways and be welcomed into the bosom of the school. I loved these books. :)
I didn't read a lot of the Biggles books, I preferred Henry Treece's historical novels which have a lot more depth. I also read most of the William series, which features one of the great literary villains - Violet Elizabeth Bott.
There's nothing as depressing as finding out that your childhood favourites are now out of print :(