Books you didn't like?
- Lucky Star
- Posts: 11484
- Joined: 28 May 2006, 12:59
- Favourite book/series: The Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: Mr Goon
- Location: Surrey, UK
Re: Books you didn't like?
What is this "Finding Enid" book? I have never heard of it? It's not Duncan McLaren's Looking for Enid is it?
I have never managed to summon up any interest in Noddy or the St Clares series'. I can't think of any of Enid's own books that I actively dislike though i could name a few that I found disappointing.
I have never managed to summon up any interest in Noddy or the St Clares series'. I can't think of any of Enid's own books that I actively dislike though i could name a few that I found disappointing.
"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
Re: Books you didn't like?
If you mean Duncan McLaren's Looking for Enid, then I've read it. It wasn't at all to my taste. As far as I can remember it featured a FFO story which revolved around Green Hedges which might have been quite good but I felt it was spoilt by a toilet scene involving PC Goon. (Toilets don't feature in EB books.) Then there are references to Enid's 'intimate' relationship with her husband, travels to different Enid Blyton related locations - spoilt in my opinion by references to the author's nocturnal antics with his girlfriend.
Apart from feeling that certain parts were unnecessary and inappropriate, I personally didn't like the way the book flitted between settings, ie the FFO part, then bits about Enid etc. At times I felt it was hard to work out which bits were genuine Enid Blyton facts and which bits were the author's invention. However that style of writing may appeal to someone else.
I don't think it's been mentioned, but there's a book by George Greenfield which I enjoyed. He was Enid's literary agent, so actually knew her.
Apart from feeling that certain parts were unnecessary and inappropriate, I personally didn't like the way the book flitted between settings, ie the FFO part, then bits about Enid etc. At times I felt it was hard to work out which bits were genuine Enid Blyton facts and which bits were the author's invention. However that style of writing may appeal to someone else.
I don't think it's been mentioned, but there's a book by George Greenfield which I enjoyed. He was Enid's literary agent, so actually knew her.
Society Member
Re: Books you didn't like?
That's the one lol!
I wondered why I couldn't find it when I searched Amazon recently!
Noddy passed me by as a young child - although, I remember reading stories/having stories read about Toyland (non-Noddy though) and also Amelia Jane, etc. Wishing Chair and Faraway Tree, I liked too. Although, this was more down to what was found on the bookshelf (hand me downs from older siblings/cousins) than taste!
Cheers
Lex
I wondered why I couldn't find it when I searched Amazon recently!
Noddy passed me by as a young child - although, I remember reading stories/having stories read about Toyland (non-Noddy though) and also Amelia Jane, etc. Wishing Chair and Faraway Tree, I liked too. Although, this was more down to what was found on the bookshelf (hand me downs from older siblings/cousins) than taste!
Cheers
Lex
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17568
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: Books you didn't like?
Lex,you may however enjoy Duncan's excellent website,Blyton Forever.
http://www.enidblyton.me.uk/styled-7/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.enidblyton.me.uk/styled-7/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
Re: Books you didn't like?
Thanks, Pete - will check it out.
Cheers,
Lex
Cheers,
Lex
-
- Posts: 6386
- Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20
Re: Books you didn't like?
As long as you remember that it is pure fantasy and speculation, Pete!
I was a bit surprised that Dr. Stephen didn't get a mention from you either, surely you are his biggest fan!
Nor for that matter did David Rudd get mentioned, but his book is viciously expensive!!
That section that you gave a link to seriously needs an update, but sadly it is in part of the website that I can't get at, so unless I start playing around in continuation books there is nothing I can do about it.
I was a bit surprised that Dr. Stephen didn't get a mention from you either, surely you are his biggest fan!
Nor for that matter did David Rudd get mentioned, but his book is viciously expensive!!
That section that you gave a link to seriously needs an update, but sadly it is in part of the website that I can't get at, so unless I start playing around in continuation books there is nothing I can do about it.
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17568
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: Books you didn't like?
A great suggestion Tony.Tony Summerfield wrote:
I was a bit surprised that Dr. Stephen didn't get a mention from you either....
Perhaps Lex may need just a bit more time to acclimatize himself before we unleash The Kraken ..
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- John Pickup
- Posts: 4876
- Joined: 30 Oct 2013, 21:29
- Favourite book/series: Barney mysteries
- Favourite character: Snubby
- Location: Notts
Re: Books you didn't like?
I've never cared for the Noddy books. Apart from them I've enjoyed reading just about everything by Enid except Fun For The Secret Seven which is dreadful.
Society Member
- Rob Houghton
- Posts: 16029
- Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
- Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
- Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
- Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham
Re: Books you didn't like?
As people have discovered, 'Finding Enid' is actually 'Looking For Enid' - we all sort of copied each other in using the wrong title!
I personally didn't like 'Looking For Enid' because I don't see the point of Enid Blyton 'biographies' that are based on fantasy. The whole of the book is fantasy - some of it more like a teenage sexual fantasy - all a bit weird and twisted. I found it very hard going, and find Duncan McLaren's website hard going too, but maybe that's just because I was 'looking for' facts and there aren't any in McLaren's writing.
To my mind, anyone could have written 'Looking For Enid'. Its just a case of letting your fantasies take over and writing any absurd scene you can imagine revolving around Enid and her characters. Duncan doesn't deal in facts, so basically the book is just a series of make believe scenarios. Might be to some people's tastes, but not mine.
Mind you, I do feature quite heavily in one section of Duncan's website - as the person who criticises Enid's story 'The Hidey Hole'. I felt quite flattered, lol!
I personally didn't like 'Looking For Enid' because I don't see the point of Enid Blyton 'biographies' that are based on fantasy. The whole of the book is fantasy - some of it more like a teenage sexual fantasy - all a bit weird and twisted. I found it very hard going, and find Duncan McLaren's website hard going too, but maybe that's just because I was 'looking for' facts and there aren't any in McLaren's writing.
To my mind, anyone could have written 'Looking For Enid'. Its just a case of letting your fantasies take over and writing any absurd scene you can imagine revolving around Enid and her characters. Duncan doesn't deal in facts, so basically the book is just a series of make believe scenarios. Might be to some people's tastes, but not mine.
Mind you, I do feature quite heavily in one section of Duncan's website - as the person who criticises Enid's story 'The Hidey Hole'. I felt quite flattered, 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)
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
- Fiona1986
- Posts: 10527
- Joined: 01 Dec 2007, 15:35
- Favourite book/series: Five Go to Smuggler's Top
- Favourite character: Julian Kirrin
- Location: Dundee, Scotland
- Contact:
Re: Books you didn't like?
Whoops. I'd not twigged the wrong book title at all. Finding Enid is a good title, though. Who feels like authoring their own Enid book then?
And I may be entirely wrong, Pete, but I was assuming Lex is a she. (I've only ever known one Lex which was a lady!)
And I may be entirely wrong, Pete, but I was assuming Lex is a she. (I've only ever known one Lex which was a lady!)
"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
- Julie2owlsdene
- Posts: 15244
- Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
- Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
- Favourite character: Dick
- Location: Cornwall
Re: Books you didn't like?
I thought Lex was a he?
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17568
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: Books you didn't like?
Fiona1986 wrote: And I may be entirely wrong, Pete, but I was assuming Lex is a she.
You may still be right Fiona!...Lex will hopefully confirm.Lex, along with his teacher wife and two crazy children, live in a rather plain red-brick house nestling in the middle of the Aire Valley, ten miles west of the city of Leeds.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
Re: Books you didn't like?
Every time I see the title 'Finding Enid' I have 'Finding Nemo' popping into my head.
Society Member
Re: Books you didn't like?
I'm a he lol! Like Luther, but without the wigs (for now, anyway!)!
Finding Enid - you heard it here first lol! From reading some of knowledge/facts/stats on here - I am sure one of you guys could definitely put a page turner together!
I did read a free sample of Duncan's book - if I'm honest, I was not sure re the premise/angle and a couple of reviews put me off (rightly or wrongly). That's why I asked what you guys thought. Anyway, in the end, I know I'm going to end up buying it!
I'll let you know what I thought when I do!
Cheers,
Lex
Finding Enid - you heard it here first lol! From reading some of knowledge/facts/stats on here - I am sure one of you guys could definitely put a page turner together!
I did read a free sample of Duncan's book - if I'm honest, I was not sure re the premise/angle and a couple of reviews put me off (rightly or wrongly). That's why I asked what you guys thought. Anyway, in the end, I know I'm going to end up buying it!
I'll let you know what I thought when I do!
Cheers,
Lex