A good cover for 1983. Now we have the stick insect Famous Five on the more modern versions, covers like this are surely to be more appreciated.
I will give it 8/10.
Over to you.
pete9012s: Eileen Soper closely followed by Betty Maxey was the best blah blah...
Let's just judge these books by their uncredited covers alone...
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane - Society Member
I'm not sure if that's how I picture the Famous Five, but as a drawing in its own right, it's a lovely piece of artwork.
My biggest quibble would be that, assuming the two figures on the sledge are supposed to be Anne and George, they look older than the two boys - the foremost one (presumably Dick?) only looks about 7, whereas George? could be about 20.
Also, I've always thought Timmy was brown in colour, but I'm not sure if that's actually mentioned in any of the books, or if I've just assumed it.
I think the 1983 cover is a lovely piece of artwork too, Katharine, and would also give it 8/10. I think that's Julian on the sledge with Anne sitting just behind him, but he does seem too old and not as I imagine Julian to look.
"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.
Anita Bensoussane wrote:I think that's Julian on the sledge with Anne sitting just behind him, but he does seem too old and not as I imagine Julian to look.
Ah you could be right Anita. In which case George does look very much like a boy and Julian looks quite feminine, but it was the 1980's, so maybe pink jackets were the in thing for teenage boys.
Katharine wrote:
Also, I've always thought Timmy was brown in colour, but I'm not sure if that's actually mentioned in any of the books, or if I've just assumed it.
He is — when we're introduced to him in Five on a Treasure Island, he's described as brown. A big brown mongrel, if I remember rightly (I don't have a copy of the book here). The black-and-white look is obviously a nod to the late 1970s TV series in which he was played by Toddy the Border Collie.
Katharine wrote:
Ah you could be right Anita. In which case George does look very much like a boy and Julian looks quite feminine, but it was the 1980's, so maybe pink jackets were the in thing for teenage boys.
Probably... but where's his mullet??
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)
I had that 1983 edition of Fix and I really like the cover. I always remember thinking to myself that Dick was a bit of a rebel going sledging with no coat on! At least he made an effort with a cheesy Christmas jumper though!
It actually for some reason reminds me more of The Boy Next Door than Hike. It's not at all bad but as Anita said it's very luridly coloured. 6/10 from me too.
"What a lot of trouble one avoids if one refuses to have anything to do with the common herd. To have no job, to devote ones life to literature, is the most wonderful thing in the world. - Cicero
I suppose there's two ways I personally judge these pics: As a work of art in its own right, and as a representation of Enid Blyton's Famous Five characters.
Taking Betty Maxey out of the equation may make it easier for some to be more objective?
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane - Society Member
