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The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 18 Sep 2017, 14:32
by AlexH
Hello - from what I can tell by reading reviews (though I'm not sure), the 2008 Faraway Tree compilation has the newer names and aspects of the story changed/removed. The name changes wouldn't bother me too much, but I want the original stories - does anyone know how far back I have to go to be safe? I'm in the UK.

Thanks for any help. :)

Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 18 Sep 2017, 14:50
by Rob Houghton
As a safe bet, I'd go back to the Dean editions. :-)

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Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 18 Sep 2017, 14:55
by Courtenay
I should think so too — they definitely have the original stories (including Dame Slap :twisted: ), as well as the original names.

I'm not sure if the children's names were altered at the same time as the other changes, but I'm pretty sure those started taking place in the 1980s. The Deans (from the 1970s) are still quite easy to find in decent condition and usually at a good price, unlike the Newnes editions (pre-1970s, identical to the first editions) which can go for exorbitant amounts.

Welcome to the forums, by the way! :D

Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 18 Sep 2017, 15:18
by Anita Bensoussane
I'd always believed that the 1970s Dean & Son editions had the original text but I recently found out in another thread (link below) that those versions were edited (though probably not drastically). The thread only refers to The Magic Faraway Tree, but if that book was revised then it's possible that the other two were as well:

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/foru ... y+#p302637" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 18 Sep 2017, 16:25
by AlexH
Thanks for the suggestions and welcome. I didn't think I'd have to potentially go as far back as pre-70s, but I'm glad I asked.

I'm an 80s child, so guess it'll be the 70s or 80s versions I read, given my mum took me to the library a lot. :) So I'm sure I'll be happy with any of those.

The only cover I recognise is Up the Faraway Tree from 1985, and funnily enough I'm not so bothered about reading that one:

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Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 18 Sep 2017, 16:41
by Eddie Muir
Welcome to,the forums, AlexH. Good luck in your search for early editions of the Faraway Tree books. :D

Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 19 Oct 2017, 18:49
by AlexH
Thanks again everyone. I decided to go for 1970s, and picked these 1978 Beaver editions as I liked the covers most. I also love waterfalls, so couldn't resist The Secret Valley when I saw the cover. :)

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Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 19 Oct 2017, 19:21
by Rob Houghton
Those are great - and I think you'll find they are pretty-much the original texts -still with 'Dame Slap' and the original children's names, anyway. :-)

Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 20 Oct 2017, 10:02
by Moonraker
Of course, The Secret Valley wasn't written by Blyton, but is a continuation novel - misleading as Blyton's name is on the cover.

Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 20 Oct 2017, 11:25
by Rob Houghton
Yes - I have a copy, signed by both the author and Val Biro. :-)

Re: The Faraway Tree Trilogy - Pre-"Political Correctness"

Posted: 20 Oct 2017, 11:31
by sixret
Well done, AlexH! :D