The Real Enid Blyton
-
- Posts: 6386
- Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20
The Real Enid Blyton
This is a hardback published on August 30th at £19.99. Perhaps someone knows some of her books as she has published quite a few, but I have never heard of her!
- Daisy
- Posts: 16632
- Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
- Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
- Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
Hmm, I've never heard of Nadia Cohen!
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.
Society Member
Society Member
- Lucky Star
- Posts: 11496
- Joined: 28 May 2006, 12:59
- Favourite book/series: The Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: Mr Goon
- Location: Surrey, UK
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
Never heard of her either but a quick Google search seems to indicate that she specialises in biographies of famous people. Since I'm guessing that she did not get in touch with Tony or Imogen or anyone else in the Blyton world I expect this will be a potted rehash of existing biographies.
"What a lot of trouble one avoids if one refuses to have anything to do with the common herd. To have no job, to devote ones life to literature, is the most wonderful thing in the world. - Cicero
Society Member
Society Member
- John Pickup
- Posts: 4895
- Joined: 30 Oct 2013, 21:29
- Favourite book/series: Barney mysteries
- Favourite character: Snubby
- Location: Notts
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
When it's published I shall keep a look out for it in Waterstones and skim through it. I suspect that Lucky Star may be right though.
Society Member
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19319
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
I suspect so too. I can't help the feeling that any author who needs to claim he/she is revealing "The Real" someone or something, probably isn't... But it will be interesting to look out for it and see.
I like the cover design, but I notice already it's using the image of Corfe Castle with the likely implication that this is "The Real" Kirrin Castle!!
I like the cover design, but I notice already it's using the image of Corfe Castle with the likely implication that this is "The Real" Kirrin Castle!!
Last edited by Courtenay on 04 Jul 2018, 21:01, edited 2 times in total.
Society Member
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)
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)
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26892
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
I can't help wondering about that too, John (Lucky Star).Lucky Star wrote:Since I'm guessing that she [Nadia Cohen] did not get in touch with Tony or Imogen or anyone else in the Blyton world I expect this will be a potted rehash of existing biographies.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
-
- Posts: 4130
- Joined: 16 Aug 2006, 14:25
- Favourite book/series: Five Find-Outers,Mr.Twiddle,Barney R
- Favourite character: Mr.Twiddle,Fatty,Saucepan,Snubby
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
Easy money. Just rehash the existing biography and price it for £22. Clicked Nadia Cohen and the list of biograhies came out.
- Eddie Muir
- Posts: 14566
- Joined: 13 Oct 2007, 22:28
- Favourite book/series: Five Find-Outers and Dog
- Favourite character: Fatty
- Location: Brighton
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
I think you’re spot on with what you say, John (Lucky Star).
Like you, John (Pickup), I’ll keep a lookout for the book when it is published so that I can skim through it to check its contents.
I also like the cover design, Courtenay.
Like you, John (Pickup), I’ll keep a lookout for the book when it is published so that I can skim through it to check its contents.
I also like the cover design, Courtenay.
'Go down to the side-shows by the river this afternoon. I'll meet you somewhere in disguise. Bet you won't know me!' wrote Fatty.
Society Member
Society Member
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
Was Enid's signature ever displayed like above in her own books?
The Blurb:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Enid-Blyt ... 1526722038" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
She is the most prolific children s author in history, but Enid Blyton is also the most controversial. A remarkable woman who wrote hundreds of books in a career spanning forty years, even her razor sharp mind could never have predicted her enormous global audience. Now, fifty years after her death, Enid remains a phenomenon, with sales outstripping every rival. Parents and teachers lobbied against Enid s books, complaining they were simplistic, repetitive and littered with sexist and snobbish undertones. Blatant racist slurs were particularly shockingly; foreign and working class characters were treated with a distain that horrifies modern readers. But regardless of the criticism, Enid worked until she could not physically write another word, famously producing thousands of words a day hunched over her manual typewriter. She imaged a more innocent world, where children roamed unsupervised, and problems were solved with midnight feasts or glorious picnics with lashings of ginger beer. Smugglers, thieves, spies and kidnappers were thwarted by fearless gangs who easily outwitted the police, while popular schoolgirls scored winning goals in nail-biting lacrosse matches. Enid carefully crafted her public image to ensure her fans only knew of this sunny persona, but behind the scenes, she weaved elaborate stories to conceal infidelities, betrayals and unconventional friendships, lied about her childhood and never fully recovered from her parent s marriage collapsing. She grew up convinced that her beloved father abandoned her for someone he loved more, and few could ever measure up to her impossible standards. A complex and immature woman, Enid was plagued by insecurities and haunted by a dark past. She was prone to bursts of furious temper, yet was a shrewd businesswoman years ahead of her time. She may not have been particularly likeable, and her stories infuriatingly unimaginative, but she left a vast literary legacy to generations of children.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- Fiona1986
- Posts: 10545
- Joined: 01 Dec 2007, 15:35
- Favourite book/series: Five Go to Smuggler's Top
- Favourite character: Julian Kirrin
- Location: Dundee, Scotland
- Contact:
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
I predict that "naked tennis" and "affair with Dorothy" will feature in this book!
"It's the ash! It's falling!" yelled Julian, almost startling Dick out of his wits...
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.
World of Blyton Blog
Society Member
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.
World of Blyton Blog
Society Member
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19319
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
This alone is enough to put me off the book already, thanks.Blatant racist slurs were particularly shockingly; foreign and working class characters were treated with a distain that horrifies modern readers.
Fiona1986 wrote:I predict that "naked tennis" and "affair with Dorothy" will feature in this book!
Society Member
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)
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)
- Kate Mary
- Posts: 1934
- Joined: 20 Apr 2007, 06:25
- Favourite book/series: The Treasure Hunters/ Five Find Outers
- Favourite character: Barney
- Location: Kent
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
I think I'll stick with Barbara Stoney's biography and Tony's Dossier. Short of finding a stack of previously unknown diaries nothing more can be added.
"I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines." Oliver Goldsmith
Society Member
Society Member
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26892
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
I'm amazed at the blurb describing Enid Blyton's stories as "infuriatingly unimaginative". I know Enid Blyton has been criticised over the years for the simplicity of her language (though that could be seen as a strength depending on one's point of view), her reliance on stereotypes (which has been exaggerated by some critics) and her repetitive plots (actually, they're not overly repetitive as Enid rings the changes on similar themes and generally manages to intrigue and surprise the reader). However, I don't think many would accuse her of lacking imagination! Just think of wonders like the Faraway Tree and Wishing-Chair and the various lands visited, the awe-inspiring caves and treasures in The Valley of Adventure, the emotional dramas of The Naughtiest Girl in the School, the whimsical quality of the nature stories involving Pip the pixie, the humour of the Mister Meddle tales, the vibrant community of the Galliano's Circus series, etc. When I was a child, Enid Blyton's books inspired many of my games and activities and she enriched my life probably more than any other author. I'd say she had an incredibly fertile imagination!
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
- Kate Mary
- Posts: 1934
- Joined: 20 Apr 2007, 06:25
- Favourite book/series: The Treasure Hunters/ Five Find Outers
- Favourite character: Barney
- Location: Kent
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
Well said, Anita.
"I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines." Oliver Goldsmith
Society Member
Society Member
- Daisy
- Posts: 16632
- Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
- Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
- Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England
Re: The Real Enid Blyton
Indeed, Anita! Now that's the kind of review that everybody should read.Anita Bensoussane wrote:I'm amazed at the blurb describing Enid Blyton's stories as "infuriatingly unimaginative". I know Enid Blyton has been criticised over the years for the simplicity of her language (though that could be seen as a strength depending on one's point of view), her reliance on stereotypes (which has been exaggerated by some critics) and her repetitive plots (actually, they're not overly repetitive as Enid rings the changes on similar themes and generally manages to intrigue and surprise the reader). However, I don't think many would accuse her of lacking imagination! Just think of wonders like the Faraway Tree and Wishing-Chair and the various lands visited, the awe-inspiring caves and treasures in The Valley of Adventure, the emotional dramas of The Naughtiest Girl in the School, the whimsical quality of the nature stories involving Pip the pixie, the humour of the Mister Meddle tales, the vibrant community of the Galliano's Circus series, etc. When I was a child, Enid Blyton's books inspired many of my games and activities and she enriched my life probably more than any other author. I'd say she had an incredibly fertile imagination!
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.
Society Member
Society Member