Rob, how can somebody read the FF books and NOT getting hooked?Rob Houghton wrote:Completely agree! I'm guessing though that those critics probably only read a few Famous Fives (or maybe even Noddy) and were basing their 'findings' on just those!
The Adventure Series!
- Chrissie777
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Re: The Adventure Series!
Chrissie
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- John Pickup
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Re: The Adventure Series!
I'm lucky in that I read most of the major series as a child (not the school stories though) and I was hooked by them all.
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- Chrissie777
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- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re: The Adventure Series!
I might have enjoyed the school stories if I hadn't read FF, Adventure and R series first. After that the school stories just didn't compel me.
Chrissie
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Rob Houghton
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Re: The Adventure Series!
I seem to be completely the opposite to most people! I sometimes feel I hardly read any as a child! Since being an adult I've read loads of EB books for the first time - 5 of the Adventure books, 19 of the Famous Five books, 10 of the Find Outer books, and quite a few others - plus both major school series'.John Pickup wrote:I'm lucky in that I read most of the major series as a child (not the school stories though) and I was hooked by them all.
I only really read The Valley of Adventure as a child. I loved it, but couldn't stand The Island of Adventure or The Mountain - so stopped reading them in disgust, 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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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)
Society Member
- Chrissie777
- Posts: 9448
- Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 16:54
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Adventure Series, Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: George Kirrin, Jack Trent
- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re: The Adventure Series!
Too bad you didn't read "The Castle", "The Circus" and "The Sea", Rob. They are absolutely wonderful!Rob Houghton wrote:I only really read The Valley of Adventure as a child. I loved it, but couldn't stand The Island of Adventure or The Mountain - so stopped reading them in disgust, lol!
Especially "The Circus" has some very hilarious scenes in the beginning.
"The Valley" is IMHO the best.
Chrissie
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Rob Houghton
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Re: The Adventure Series!
I've read them all since, as an adult, Chrissie - and love them all. Somehow, as a child I wasn't quite ready for them, maybe! Valley is definitely a favourite, as is Circus and Sea.
'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)
Society Member
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)
Society Member
- Chrissie777
- Posts: 9448
- Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 16:54
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Adventure Series, Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: George Kirrin, Jack Trent
- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re: The Adventure Series!
Chrissie
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Chrissie777
- Posts: 9448
- Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 16:54
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Adventure Series, Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: George Kirrin, Jack Trent
- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re:
Just my thought! "Valley" is her best book. Very atmospheric.Moonraker wrote:I thought "Valley of Adventure" was her masterpiece. The cruel treatment of the refugee, the stunning scenery and the impossible feel of ever getting home, made an adventure not to forget.
Chrissie
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Chrissie777
- Posts: 9448
- Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 16:54
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Adventure Series, Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: George Kirrin, Jack Trent
- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re: The Adventure Series
I liked the idea of sleeping in a tower room!booklover wrote:I like just about every story but my favourite is "Island of Adventure". I love the way the two sets of children are introduced and run away back to Craggy-Tops. I love the sense of wind-swept isolation when they get there, with the mysterious Isle of Gloom in the distance. Later on in the story, the scenes underground are very claustrophobic and there is real tension at the end when the children's lives are at great risk.
Chrissie
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Rob Houghton
- Posts: 16029
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Re: Re:
I'm still not certain...Valley or sea...Valley or Sea...one of those is definitely 'her best book' - but then I also class The Rubadub Mystery' as 'her best book' - partly because its very much a 'mystery' while 'Sea' and 'valley' are very much adventure books - so to me they are quite different.Chrissie777 wrote:Just my thought! "Valley" is her best book. Very atmospheric.Moonraker wrote:I thought "Valley of Adventure" was her masterpiece. The cruel treatment of the refugee, the stunning scenery and the impossible feel of ever getting home, made an adventure not to forget.
So Valley, Sea and Rubadub are her best books, I think.
'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)
Society Member
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)
Society Member
- Chrissie777
- Posts: 9448
- Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 16:54
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Adventure Series, Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: George Kirrin, Jack Trent
- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re: Re:
Rob, I would also include "Ring O'Bells", "The Secret Island" and "Tally-Ho Cottage" in my best EB books list even though "Tally-Ho" is not an adventure, it's a mystery, however, it's a very atmospheric and gripping book for me.
Chrissie
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Chrissie777
- Posts: 9448
- Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 16:54
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Adventure Series, Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: George Kirrin, Jack Trent
- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re: Re:
Pete, I agree with both books!pete9012S wrote:Anyone agree that Valley is indeed Enid's greatest book?
Five On A Treasure Island is her masterpiece to me-probably as it was the first book by Enid I ever read!
Chrissie
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
Society Member
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19309
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Re: The Adventure Series!
Me too. Valley is wonderful but Sea edges it for me with the sheer drama of the adventure and the real closeness we see developing between Bill and the children.
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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)
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)
- Rob Houghton
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Re: The Adventure Series!
The feeling of remoteness that we experience in 'Sea' is what makes the book for me. Even in 'Valley' we know the valley must be connected to somewhere and in theory the children could find civilisation (even though Enid tries hard to make it impossible!) but in Sea, when they are stranded on those remote islands with no boat and no adults, it really does give us a great impression of how lonely and desolate it must have been!
'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)
Society Member
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)
Society Member