An in depth study of Pam and Barbara (Secret 7)

[pete9012S]

Many thanks Lenoir.
After reading so many of your superb Secret Seven reviews in the cave I have come to view you as a Secret Seven connoisseur.

[pete9012S]

Can anyone identify Pam & Barbara (and the rest of the Secret Seven) from this annual photo pic? (I can't!!)

[Courtenay]

Can anyone identify Pam & Barbara...

Well, they're presumably not 1, 2, 6 or 7.

[Barnard]

What a lot of miserable looking children.

[pete9012S]

Will the above illustration by Derek Lucas be any help in identifying Pam & Barbara and the rest of the Secret Seven!?

[Moonraker]

I still think they should have added Susie.

I guess this is more of a debate for the Susie thread, but I really don't agree about that.

Susie is the protagonist. A dislikeable figure similar to Goon in FFO, and obnoxious kids like Edgar and Junior in FF.

Yes, I consider Susie to be vital to the series.

But I'm glad they're in the books as they're likeable characters, and not every one has to be either a genius, dependable or fiery. So they've a good mix in the group.

I agree, I wouldn't be culling any of them. One thing, though, I always thought Susie was Jack's big sister. Maybe it's time I read them again!

[Moonraker]

What a lot of miserable looking children.

Couldn't agree more. One reason why I avoid paperbacks and stick to the original editions.

[Anita Bensoussane]

1991 Award, illustrations and cover by W.F.P.

P.S.
Has anyone seen/got an opinion on the illustrations by' W.F.P.' from 1991 - I don't think I've seen them??

I haven't seen any internal illustrations by W. F. P. but I like that cover. It's artistic, with beautiful colours and composition. Looking at the first few Secret Seven books in the Cave, W. F. P. stopped after the second book and Dorothy Hamilton took over.

[Moonraker]

I've seen worse, but prefer the original. It is good to see that the 1996 and 2000 editions went back to this illustration.

[Anita Bensoussane]

The original is lovely but I slightly prefer the next edition which shows more of the snow:

[Lenoir]

After reading so many of your superb Secret Seven reviews in the cave I have come to view you as a Secret Seven connoisseur.

Thanks for the kind comments!

In Secret Seven Mystery, Pam and Barbara go off to explore the woods and the fields so they have quite an adventure of their own. It shows they can do their bit for the club. Unfortunately, they eventually get sabotaged by Susie!

[Moonraker]

The original is lovely but I slightly prefer the next edition which shows more of the snow:

Yes, I also love the banner at the top of the page.

[GloomyGraham]

What a lot of miserable looking children.

Even Scamper looks pretty unhappy

[Anita Bensoussane]

I also love the banner at the top of the page.

I love that too.

I remember feeling annoyed with Barbara in the first book (The Secret Seven) as she quickly loses interest in examining tracks in the snow with Janet. Janet suggests that they sketch the tyre pattern and measure the width of the tyre print. Barbara says, "I don't see how those things can possibly matter," and we're told that she "wanted to go down the lane and join the three boys." When Janet sketches the pattern and takes the measurement anyway, Barbara laughs at her drawing and exclaims, "Gracious! What a mess!"

A few minutes later Barbara says, "Let's go and see if we can find the boys," but Janet replies, "No. We haven't quite finished our job yet. We ought to follow the tracks as far as they go." Barbara does go with her, but I can't believe her lack of enthusiasm. Fancy having an exciting mystery to solve but not really caring about it!

[Wolfgang]

Well, girls can be different - we also see it between George and Anne (Kirrin)