Blyton defended on Oz TV 4/06/06
Posted: 05 Jul 2006, 06:35
Dear Blyton fans,
This is my first post here, so forgive me for ploughing straight into something without any introduction.
Last night on current affair program "Today Tonight" there was a report on Enid Blyton books being re-written to make them more politically correct.
Here is the link:
http://seven.com.au/todaytonight/story/?id=29118
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Popular children's books written by author Enid Blyton are set to be re-written in the latest example of political correctness gone mad.
The characters of Dick, Fanny and Bessie from The Faraway Tree and The Famous Five are apparently now offensive and need to be changed.
Despite the obvious sexual connotations Fanny and Dick have in these modern times, Bessie is apparently offensive because it was a common name for slaves and the character Bessie at one time had dark skin.
Primary School principal Peter Paul believes it is ridiculous and unnecessary.
"The enjoyment I was getting from Enid Blyton is the same kids are getting today," he said.
Storyteller and president of the Victorian Children's Book Association, Graham Davey, said the publishers are missing the point.
"Those books were written at a time and those were the names of the time," Graham said.
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Ofcourse the report was longer, with interviews with children on their thoughts. The Principal and the children love the books as they are.
I sincerely hope publishing houses take note and stop tampering with Blytons work.
This is my first post here, so forgive me for ploughing straight into something without any introduction.
Last night on current affair program "Today Tonight" there was a report on Enid Blyton books being re-written to make them more politically correct.
Here is the link:
http://seven.com.au/todaytonight/story/?id=29118
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Popular children's books written by author Enid Blyton are set to be re-written in the latest example of political correctness gone mad.
The characters of Dick, Fanny and Bessie from The Faraway Tree and The Famous Five are apparently now offensive and need to be changed.
Despite the obvious sexual connotations Fanny and Dick have in these modern times, Bessie is apparently offensive because it was a common name for slaves and the character Bessie at one time had dark skin.
Primary School principal Peter Paul believes it is ridiculous and unnecessary.
"The enjoyment I was getting from Enid Blyton is the same kids are getting today," he said.
Storyteller and president of the Victorian Children's Book Association, Graham Davey, said the publishers are missing the point.
"Those books were written at a time and those were the names of the time," Graham said.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ofcourse the report was longer, with interviews with children on their thoughts. The Principal and the children love the books as they are.
I sincerely hope publishing houses take note and stop tampering with Blytons work.