Books you didn't like?

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Lucky Star
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by Lucky Star »

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.
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by Katharine »

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.
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by LexFraser »

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
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by pete9012S »

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;
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by LexFraser »

Thanks, Pete - will check it out.

Cheers,

Lex
Tony Summerfield
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by Tony Summerfield »

As long as you remember that it is pure fantasy and speculation, Pete! :D

I was a bit surprised that Dr. Stephen didn't get a mention from you either, surely you are his biggest fan! :lol:

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. :cry:
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by pete9012S »

Tony Summerfield wrote:
I was a bit surprised that Dr. Stephen didn't get a mention from you either....
A great suggestion Tony.

Perhaps Lex may need just a bit more time to acclimatize himself before we unleash The Kraken .. :shock: :D
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by John Pickup »

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.
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by Rob Houghton »

As people have discovered, 'Finding Enid' is actually 'Looking For Enid' - we all sort of copied each other in using the wrong title! :-D

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! ;-)
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by Fiona1986 »

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? :lol:

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!)
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

I thought Lex was a he?

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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by Katharine »

Lex Luther was male.

I know of girls called Lexie.
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by pete9012S »

Fiona1986 wrote: And I may be entirely wrong, Pete, but I was assuming Lex is a she.
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.
You may still be right Fiona!...Lex will hopefully confirm.
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by Katharine »

Every time I see the title 'Finding Enid' I have 'Finding Nemo' popping into my head. :lol:
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Re: Books you didn't like?

Post by LexFraser »

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
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