Famous Five 'Adult' Books!

[Rob Houghton]

I still get letters and emails from children thinking that Enid Blyton is alive, here is one I got two days ago:-

hi iam a big fan of your books and I would like to ask a few questions
q1, will you be writing any more far away tree books?
q2, what book was your favourite to write ?
q3, how many more books are you still going to write?
q4,what is your favourite book that you read as a child ?

Surely if new Famous Five books come out, just looking at the cover is going to make some think that these books are new books written by Enid Blyton. In my opinion this is disgraceful use of a dead author's name, surely the Ladybird books didn't do that.

You're right! The more I think about it, the more I dislike them! Yesterday, I hadn't read any blurbs or plots...but now I have, I don't like the idea much at all. As you say, the Ladybird books didn't do this, as they weren't associated with any particular author. I believe they used original illustrations and rewrote the text, which made them clever and amusing - but these Famous Five ones sound like they will be anything but!

I guess, having written a Famous Five book recently, and knowing a few other people who have written their own versions over the years, it's quite annoying that the publishers hope to cash-in on the Ladybird book success by dirtying the name of the Famous Five. There are so many authors out there who could have written these better...and now I realise they have been written by so-called humorist Bruno Vincent (who's most famous book is called 'Do Ants Have ****holes?' I don't think they will be funny in any way.

Instead of a parody, why didn't they have someone write something affectionately amusing, aimed at an adult audience. Do adults really only find booze and sex and diseases funny?!

Looking at some of the plots, I'm wondering whether they will have Julian accused of sexual assult, or perhaps Timmy will get shot and put into a stew, as it might be quite hilarious! That's how low I think these 'parodies' might go.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Themes like Julian going online and diagnosing himself with serious diseases, Anne being exorcised and the Five investigating whether colleagues at an office are having a sexual relationship aren't at all suitable for children, yet it does seem possible that some youngsters will inadvertently pick up these books.

The same applies to the Ladybird titles. Last week I saw a large selection of the adult Ladybird books displayed on shelves at about waist height en route to the checkout in WHSmith, reduced to about £3 each. The covers make them look like children's books, but the content is adult.

[number 6]

Not the slightest bit interested in these books at all. I used to have one rule right from being a kid. If a F5 book/story wasnt written by Enid Blyton, then I wouldnt read it! Think I'll stick to this rule.

[Rob Houghton]

I don't blame you!!!

[Machupicchu14]

Not the slightest bit interested in these books at all. I used to have one rule right from being a kid. If a F5 book/story wasnt written by Enid Blyton, then I wouldnt read it! Think I'll stick to this rule.

Just like me!

[Rob Houghton]

That's fair enough, lol! Glad not everyone is of the same opinion though!

[pete9012S]

I really like the cover of the new book,and although I do like a laugh and a joke I do not like the proposed content.


I would however like to see a really good official continuation novel about the Five - perhaps with a cover and lots of good internal illustrations like the one above ...

That may never happen,but at least we do have some excellent continuation stories written by genuine fans and appreciators of Enid's genuine style of writing to read and enjoy in the meantime....

[Aunt Fanny]

So agree Anita.
Blyton, especially The famous Five, have been parodied to death.
This seems to be cashing in on the "Adult" Ladybird series.
If you want to be cynical, and suggest snobbishness, racism etc, then read the originals that way.
Why cannot folk just read the wonderful tales of adventure, enjoy the vivid descriptions and characters and leave it at that.

[Courtenay]

This really is sounding more and more and more ghastly the more I hear of it. And as others have pointed out, using Enid Blyton's name on the cover, as if she'd actually written these books, is wrong and unfair.

Instead of a parody, why didn't they have someone write something affectionately amusing, aimed at an adult audience. Do adults really only find booze and sex and diseases funny?!

Totally agree, Rob — it does leave one wondering. And yes, it's a little disturbing to think that young children might start reading them, especially if the content is as crass as it sounds like it's going to be.

[Francis]

I still get letters and emails from children thinking that Enid Blyton is alive, here is one I got two days ago:-

hi iam a big fan of your books and I would like to ask a few questions
q1, will you be writing any more far away tree books?
q2, what book was your favourite to write ?
q3, how many more books are you still going to write?
q4,what is your favourite book that you read as a child ?

Surely if new Famous Five books come out, just looking at the cover is going to make some think that these books are new books written by Enid Blyton. In my opinion this is disgraceful use of a dead author's name, surely the Ladybird books didn't do that.

You have finally reached the stage of becoming Enid herself, Tony!

Totally agree that this is a disgrace - I suspect that they will quickly end up on the remainder pile in the usual shops.

The only positive thing I can say is that the Famous Five are still familiar enough to parody unlike so many of the books written by Enid's contemporaries.

[Courtenay]

You have finally reached the stage of becoming Enid herself, Tony!

[Francis]

I really like the cover of the new book,and although I do like a laugh and a joke I do not like the proposed content.


I would however like to see a really good official continuation novel about the Five - perhaps with a cover and lots of good internal illustrations like the one above ...

That may never happen,but at least we do have some excellent continuation stories written by genuine fans and appreciators of Enid's genuine style of writing to read and enjoy in the meantime....

Like your change, Pete.

Perhaps it should be called 'The Famous Five are parodied again'.

[Rob Houghton]

Perhaps it should be called 'The Famous Five are parodied again'.

Sounds about right!

Or maybe 'Five Go Off On A Narrowboat...'? Oh - wait!

[Tony Summerfield]

I think that there would be an absolute uproar if Just William as an adult became a junky and was put in prison for GBH or perhaps Jennings as an adult had a passionate affair with Darbyshire and then decided on a sex change operation. It seems with the Famous Five that anything goes!

Chorion got more than their fair share of criticism when they were the copyright holders, but I don't think they would have agreed to this just for the sake of trying to make a quick buck!

I know this was a 'scoop' for the Mail on Sunday as I was asked by Chris Hastings not to say anything about it until it was published, but I dread to think of what is going to happen when other papers get hold of it!

[Rob Houghton]

I'm pretty sure people will vote with their feet...or rather their wallets...and half these proposed books won't even get published!