Journal 56

What did you think of the latest Journal?
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Daisy
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Daisy »

That sort of shoddy work is unforgivable I think. Didn't anyone compiling that book have a look at the chapter titles? :?
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walter raleigh
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Re: Journal 56

Post by walter raleigh »

There's a very good thread here that (eventually!) clarifies which stories were included and in which volumes. It was where I first found out that there were some 'Wishing Chair' stories I'd never read before, and made me really realise what a wonderful website this is. :D
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Poppy
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Poppy »

I've only read the first two Wishing Chair books, but I do have the third one somewhere. I might have to give it a read, sometime. Although I do really like the Wishing Chair stories, Enid's Faraway Tree books will always be my favourite fantasy-books, just because I think they are so original and ingenious! I'm reading them now, and I just think that the idea is so unique and imaginative for young readers. The characters are unforgettable: Moon-Face, the Saucepan Man, and all the rest! Such entertaining creations.

The Wishing Chair is equally captivating, but I just think they lack a bit of the originality packed into the Faraway Tree books, in my opinion. There are several very memorable scenes from these books, though, which I reread quite often, including Molly and Peter's amazing visit to the Antique shop! These fantasy stories were the first books to inspire me to write stories myself, and I vividly remember sitting down and writing an episodic novel about two children (one of them was called Molly!) who owned a magic book, and they could jump into any page they wanted and end up in the land illustrated on the page, when I was about seven or eight! :lol:
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Courtenay »

That IS shoddy work - both the Dean edition cutting the final chapters, and the haphazard way they were included in the third book. :x Well, no wonder I felt cheated when I "finished" Adventures of the Wishing-Chair only to find it didn't finish at all. I shall have to buy some lovely old editions of the original two Wishing-Chair books some time, and the later one if I can get it. And some old editions of the Faraway Tree books too, so I can have those beautiful Dorothy Wheeler illustrations that I missed out on as a child. :D
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John Pickup
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Re: Journal 56

Post by John Pickup »

Well, I've finally finished the journal and I've really enjoyed it. The article of Enid's from Teachers World is amazing, how a ride on the top of a bus can become so colourful and interesting. John Lester's article on Dinah and Diana I found very thoughtful, he discovered aspects of each character I'd never previously considered. And thanks to Courtenay for her review of David Rudd's lecture. Freda Knight's article, complete with memories of visiting second hand bookshops appealed to me, too. Thanks to Tony and all the contributors for another fine edition of the journal.
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Moonraker »

John Pickup wrote: The article of Enid's from Teachers World is amazing, how a ride on the top of a bus can become so colourful and interesting.
Wasn't it? I saw a clip of London and a bus from the 1920s on Heir Hunters, the other morning, and immediately wondered if Enid was on the top deck! An enchanting tale. I will think of this story on my next trip on the number 15!
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Moonraker »

I have now finished J56 and once again found it to be another most entertaining edition. Being a former cartography salesman, I found Ruth Sear's article most informative. I have always had a love for OS 1" maps, to study them gives one a complete picture of the topography of the land. I now have OS maps uploaded to my phone and tablet, so am never without a complete set for the south of England!

Courtenay's article was a fine description of David Rudd's presentation, given at Canterbury, recently. I would have loved to have been there as I would have found nothing to get wound up about in David's lecture!

Rob's second part of his Desert Island Blyton's was another good read, and as always, Anita's articles are always worthy of studying. I was also delighted to see that she had managed once again to fit the word, onomatopoeic into her script! :wink: This was a 'heavier' article than most in this Journal, but nonetheless, in spite of running to twelve pages in length, held my interest to the end.

I am indebted to John Lester for re-introducing me to Latin after many decades! The Latin word ibidem is now back in my vocabulary! It was interesting to compare Dinah and Diana, something of which I would never have considered.

John Pickup's article on his collecting bug was most interesting - and I was stunned when it ended so soon! However, it will continue, so I look forward to that. It is good to note that John is capable of writing such a good article without mentioning puffins.

I have never been a fan of Mister Meddle, so Angela's article was the last one I read. Having said that, it made for an interesting read, although I still have no wish to read the stories! Poppy, too, wrote in her now accustomed fine style, comparing three of Blyton's 'top girls', George, Lotta and Darrell.

Another excellent edition, complete with wonderful illustrations. The two letters were a welcome additiion, but I couldn't help feeling it would have been good if the writers had posted these on the forums, so that we could all engage in comment.

Another well done to Tony - we are so used to a first-class production, that we can be guilty of taking it all for granted.

The Malcolm Saville Society's Acksherley! no 56 has just dropped on to my doormat, so I have more reading ahead of me. Happy days!
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Moonraker wrote:I was also delighted to see that she [Anita] had managed once again to fit the word, onomatopoeic into her script! :wink:
I thought of you as I wrote that part, Nigel! :P
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Courtenay
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Courtenay »

Moonraker wrote: Courtenay's article was a fine description of David Rudd's presentation, given at Canterbury, recently. I would have loved to have been there as I would have found nothing to get wound up about in David's lecture!
You'd have loved it, Nigel - it was a fantastic lecture. I didn't find anything to get wound up about myself, I can assure you! :wink: I'd love to have a copy of David's book Enid Blyton and the Mystery of Children's Literature, which was the result of his PhD thesis, but unfortunately it's hard to find and doesn't come cheap... :|
Moonraker wrote:It is good to note that John is capable of writing such a good article without mentioning puffins.
You got something against puffins, Nigel?? :wink:
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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)
Tony Summerfield
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Tony Summerfield »

We will have to wait until his next article to see if John has a copy of The Sea of Adventure!

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Moonraker
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Moonraker »

Haha! that could be a young John Pickup! :D
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Rob Houghton
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Rob Houghton »

I can see Pete setting up a 'Puffin appreciation' thread. ;-)
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Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

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Re: Journal 56

Post by Moonraker »

Oh, don't give him any ideas, Rob!
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John Pickup
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Re: Journal 56

Post by John Pickup »

That can't be me in the picture, I part my hair on the other side. And yes, I do have a very nice copy of The Sea Of Adventure.
Puffins? I can take them or leave them. :D
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Julie2owlsdene
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Re: Journal 56

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

What about mice on the shoulder? :lol:

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