The Mystery of the Island - Isobel Knight

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Rob Houghton
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Rob Houghton »

Courtenay wrote:I finished the book last night! 8) Couldn't put it down. But I will save any further comments on it until after others have read it, so as not to give away any spoilers.
Pleased you enjoyed it! I'm hoping we can all have a readathon/discussion at a later date! :-). I need to read it again - its been 6 years, lol!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Kate Mary
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Kate Mary »

I'm glad you liked it Courtney. The Mystery of the Island is still a favourite book of mine even after 50 years. I have just moved house and unfortunately I can't find my copy as it is packed in one of many cardboard boxes awaiting the building of bookcases in the third bedroom. Which will have to wait until the new bathroom, kitchen, fitted wardrobes and replacement windows are done first! But I'm looking forward to reading people's comments on the book.
"I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines." Oliver Goldsmith

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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Courtenay »

:D Well, I hope all the building and renovating and unpacking will go well for you, Kate Mary! I'm looking forward to hearing what others think of the book too - as I said, I don't want to make any specific comments on it yet, as I know there are at least two other people who've ordered copies (thanks to Rob's recommendation) but haven't read it yet.
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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)
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pete9012S
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by pete9012S »

I'm still waiting for mine.
I don't know whether to save it for my holiday read around the 19th Sept,and concentrate 1st on the Rockingdown Readathon....it's a hard decision to make ... :?
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

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I will be starting it later. :D
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Courtenay
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Courtenay »

pete9012S wrote: I don't know whether to save it for my holiday read around the 19th Sept,and concentrate 1st on the Rockingdown Readathon....it's a hard decision to make ... :?
That choice was made for me by fate (or providence, or whatever governs these things), as my copy of Island arrived very promptly and my copy of Rockingdown still hasn't!!

(Actually, I found a copy of Rockingdown in a charity shop today, going cheaply, but it was a modern paperback - no illustrations and, I suspect, not the original text. I'll stick to my 1957 hardcover with dust jacket - when it comes... eventually...)
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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)
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pete9012S
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by pete9012S »

Image

My book has arrived! It similar to the edition pictured above.
I am going to read the first chapter asap.
What year was the book originally published? Also what year did the above edition come out,does anybody know,as my copy does not show any publication dates inside?

I was interested to read on one web page that:
This is a vintage copy of a teenage girls' mystery story 'The Mystery of the Island' by Isobel Knight published by the Peal Press in the 1960s. This mystery story is set on a small island off the west coast of Scotland.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/2428436 ... ref=market" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Was the book especially aimed at the teenage girls market? I wonder were the above poster got that impression?
Finally,does any edition contain illustrations? There are none in mine.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

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Rob Houghton
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Rob Houghton »

Interesting about the book maybe being aimed at girls. I have two editions - the one I grew up with belonged to my sister and was a printed board edition in the 'Abbey Rewards' series for boys and girls. On the back of the book is a list of other books, divided into 'Girls Fiction' and 'Boys Fiction'. 'Mystery of the Island' is listed as 'Boys Fiction' in this version! :lol:

My Abbey Rewards version also has no publication date. It simply says Abbey Rewards, Cresta House, London, and in the back, 'printed in Romania'! :?

The other version of The Mystery of the Island is the Blackie version, which I believe were the first publishers - however, it also has no date! It does have an inscription though - "William Gibbins, Oxhill Sunday School, December 1948". :-)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Tony Summerfield
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Tony Summerfield »

I haven't actually got mine yet, but I can tell you that it was originally published by Blackie in October 1948 @ 4/6. It was illustrated by W. Lindsay Cable, a familiar name to Blyton enthusiasts. My copy is by Blackie and is illustrated as the original but I don't know if it is a first edition - more often than not Blackie books had no date in them.
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Rob Houghton
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Rob Houghton »

Judging by that publication date, I must have a first edition, as it's inscribed December 1948...however, it has no dustwrapper, and one of the plates is missing - the frontispiece, titled '"A fight!" said Dad. "They must be mad!" :( There were only three illustrations (plates) in the book originally.

Mind you, as I mentioned before, I found this version of the book in a charity shop for only 10p so can't grumble!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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pete9012S
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by pete9012S »

1948-Thanks Tony/Rob.Just six short years after FOATI!
I'm reading the book now and already enjoying it.
Hope there's no bullying in it,although the children have already bickered with each other just a little! :wink:
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

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Rob Houghton
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Rob Houghton »

bullying, violence, social upheaval, and scenes of impending peril - not for the faint hearted! :shock:
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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pete9012S
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by pete9012S »

Oh dear!
This advance warning is much appreciated
These author types are real menaces.
There should be an item on The One Show about them to alert the public at large of their malevolent and wayward proclivities!! :shock: :shock:
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

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Tony Summerfield
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Tony Summerfield »

From the reference book that I used there would appear to be another Isobel Knight book also published by Blackie in November 1952 - The Mystery of Middle Tree Island - I wonder if there is any connection!!

I can't find a decent image of my book anywhere on the internet so if and when it comes I will scan an image and put it up.
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Rob Houghton
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Re: Mystery Of The Island - Isobel Knight

Post by Rob Houghton »

I've come up with a few as well. I saw the one you mentioned, Tony (seen it mentioned, I mean, but not a picture of it), and also see, doing a search for Isobel Knight that she supposedly also wrote 'The Treasure Seekers','Rescue In The Snow', 'Robinson Crusoe The Second', and 'The Pipers Cave', 'On Our Farm' and 'The Bunny Whiskers Find An Island' for younger readers. She obviously had a thing about islands! :-)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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