Stephen Isabirye

[Courtenay]

Or it could mean he wanted to analyse Enid's "usage of rhymes" in the Famous Five books - although I can't think of any usage of rhymes within those stories at all. But I'm sure that wouldn't deter Stephen.

[Katharine]

That's actually how I read it first of all, but I couldn't think of any rhymes either, so assume I'd mis-read it.

[Moonraker]

Yes, me too. I don't somehow see Stephen as a poet. Maybe he will clarify this point in a few weeks/months time. The trouble is, I have always forgotten about to what he is referring when he eventually answers a query.

[pete9012S]

Maybe Stephen wanted to turn parts of the books original content into rhymes like the Rupert books.
For instance I recently read this line from Finniston Farm.

‘Hot scones,’ said George, lifting the lid off a dish. ‘I never thought I’d like hot scones on a summer’s day, but these look heavenly. Running with butter! Just how I like them!’

Could it be possibly turned into a rhyme? That's if it was allowed of course.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Or it could mean he wanted to analyse Enid's "usage of rhymes" in the Famous Five books - although I can't think of any usage of rhymes within those stories at all.

I can only think of things like "Georgie-Porgie pudding and pie" (Run Away Together) and "By Tre, Pol and Pen you may know the Cornishmen" (Go Down to the Sea), which are incidental and not made up by (or only partially made up by) Enid Blyton.

[pete9012S]

I wonder if like Stephen's use of the words 'anecdotage' and 'periscope' he intended to make use of the word 'rhyme' in a new and excitingly different way to the norm?

[Courtenay]

Maybe Stephen wanted to turn parts of the books original content into rhymes like the Rupert books.
For instance I recently read this line from Finniston Farm.

‘Hot scones,’ said George, lifting the lid off a dish. ‘I never thought I’d like hot scones on a summer’s day, but these look heavenly. Running with butter! Just how I like them!’

Could it be possibly turned into a rhyme? That's if it was allowed of course.

Well, let's see...

"Hot scones!" exclaimed George.
"O let us now gorge!
- Though I'd thought I would not
On a day that's so hot;
But my heart's all a-flutter -
These scones are from heaven!
All running with butter!
I think I'll have seven!"

(Dick, not to be outdone, promptly had ten )

[Daisy]

Brilliant Courtenay.... I remember the Rupert rhymes very well - and rarely read the prose underneath!

[Moonraker]

Maybe Stephen's use of the word periscope was influenced by the many times the four children used their field-glasses. I imagine a periscope could have come in handy to the Adventure children when they were hiding under water (Sea of Adventure)....

[Daisy]

A straw they could breathe through while keeping their heads below the surface might have been even more use.

[Moonraker]

I agree, but The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage: A Straw doesn't have quite the same ring to it, though.

Maybe we should have a straw poll?

[Daisy]

Oh I do agree! I can't stop laughing now!

[Courtenay]

I have found I can't read more than a few words of The Anecdotage (in quoted excerpts; I don't own a copy) before desperately needing to come up for air.

[John Pickup]

I really must get round to reading this book. I feel I'm missing out on something.

[Moonraker]

Yes, you must. There is plenty of entertainment contained in the pages - you just have to search them out.