The Enid Blyton Society

Am I an less a worthwhile human being just because I haven't read many other authors?

You'd think so listening to some people - but then so am I! I am a 'victim' of Enid insomuch as I am only interested in a jolly good read. I dare say it looks good to speak about your top 100 authors, quoting names such as Shakespeare, Asimov, Quentin Blake, D H Lawrence and so on, but for me it's Blyton, Christie and other authors that the 'look down your nose' types might well disprove. If I've not got a page-turner, I'm not interested.

Moonraker wrote:I dare say it looks good to speak about your top 100 authors, quoting names such as Shakespeare, Asimov, Quentin Blake, D H Lawrence and so on...

Are you sure you meant Quentin Blake, as he also writes and illustrates children's books?

I agree that people should read what they like to read, and not worry about the recommended age-group or what others think about their choice of reading matter. But if they love authors like Shakespeare and D. H. Lawrence, they should also be free to say so!

Oh yes, of course they should be free to say so, but not in a mock superior way, which many of these 'literary snobs' do.

The authors names were randomly generated!

It is a shame when people dismiss certain authors out of snobbery - but it's their loss! Enid Blyton's books have enriched my life in many ways and they continue to do so. The same applies to books by other authors, but probably not to the same extent. When I visited the D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum in Eastwood, I was delighted to have the chance to see so many things related to him and his writing. However, the sight and smell of bars of carbolic soap brought Tassie (Castle of Adventure) strongly to mind, rather than any of Lawrence's characters!

We were in Lyndhurst, recently, and there was an old apothecary selling old styles of soap. It was Wright's Coal Tar that brought back memories for me! Such a pungent smell.

Moonraker wrote: It was Wright's Coal Tar that brought back memories for me! Such a pungent smell.

I love the smell, and always have a bar in my bathroom.

You don't ever have Tassie sneaking in through the window to help herself to it?

I bet my children wish she would - they hate the smell of it.

From Tassie's reaction I wouldn't have thought she was too keen on laying her hands on any soap ever again!

Ah yes, but though she hated the bath, she loved the smell of the soap!

"I smell nice," she said, evidently liking the smell of carbolic soap better than the others did. "But that bath was dreadful. How often do you have a bath? Once a year?"
(The Castle of Adventure, p. 35)

Thank-you so much for posting this interview! It was really fascinating to listen to my favorite
children's author for the first time!

I agree - it's fantastic to be able to hear Enid's voice. I have two 45rpm records of her reading 'Noddy Goes To Toyland' etc - and it's great to hear her own voice reading the stories how she envisioned they should be read!

BBC Radio 4 Extra is broadcasting a two-part drama of The Magic Faraway Tree, on Boxing Day and the 27th - various times. It 'stars' Johnny Vegas and Lucy Beaumont with narration by Ronni Ancona. No doubt it is a repeat from some time back.