I'm not so sure Nigel!Moonraker wrote:Thankfully, our birthdays still come annually!Daisy wrote:...for several years I have felt that Christmas comes every six months nowadays!
Journal 73
- Daisy
- Posts: 16632
- Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
- Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
- Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England
Re: Journal 73
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.
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Re: Journal 73
My Journal has now arrived, and as usual it's full of titbits about Enid and her work that I never knew or had long since forgotten, plus reminders of her sheer variety (especially in the 1930s and 1940s). Many thanks to Tony for his hard work and perseverance in trying circumstances (here's to hoping things calm down as we move into 2021) ad to my fellow-contributors.
I was very interested to read in detail about First Term at Malory Towers from Anita, not having a copy of this and having read it many years ago and forgotten some of the details. The fact that the newly-arrived Darrell was initially irritated by Mary-Lou's trailing around after her, but unlike Gwen has the strength of character and decency to imagine things from the other girl's point of view and behave nicer. (I was a bit like Mary-Lou when I first joined a couple of primary schools at 7 and 8 and was stuck as the youngest person in the class, trying to find a friend and being disheartened to be shrugged off!) The background by Angela to the early stories by Enid about Peter and Janet, only one of which I've come across, and from Julie more of the details of Adventure of the Strange Ruby. I wonder if the latter with its statue-filled temple on an island was partly inspired by the stories of the mysterious statues put up in the grounds of Branksea Castle on Brownsea Island (as with Mystery To Solve), and Enid in her imagination gave them an Indian gloss? I suppose the Indian jewel/ kidnappers idea was a mix-up of Wilkie Collins' mystery thriller 'The Moonstone' with assorted films and a dash of Spiggy Holes.
One thought on the way that Enid was muddling things up by the time of her last books; on Fun For the Secret Seven as analysed by John, old man 'Tolly', the injured horse's owner, sounds a lot like the name of the character, 'Old Man Tallery', who was the absent head of the gang of caravan-folk crooks who kidnapped the prince in Mystery of the Vanished Prince ( p 103 of the 1968 Dragon PB reprint of this, where Fatty questions his family and gets the kidnap story out of Rollo). A name popping back into Enid's memory and being reused, as she'd just done to the Find-Outers' village name of Peterswood?
I was very interested to read in detail about First Term at Malory Towers from Anita, not having a copy of this and having read it many years ago and forgotten some of the details. The fact that the newly-arrived Darrell was initially irritated by Mary-Lou's trailing around after her, but unlike Gwen has the strength of character and decency to imagine things from the other girl's point of view and behave nicer. (I was a bit like Mary-Lou when I first joined a couple of primary schools at 7 and 8 and was stuck as the youngest person in the class, trying to find a friend and being disheartened to be shrugged off!) The background by Angela to the early stories by Enid about Peter and Janet, only one of which I've come across, and from Julie more of the details of Adventure of the Strange Ruby. I wonder if the latter with its statue-filled temple on an island was partly inspired by the stories of the mysterious statues put up in the grounds of Branksea Castle on Brownsea Island (as with Mystery To Solve), and Enid in her imagination gave them an Indian gloss? I suppose the Indian jewel/ kidnappers idea was a mix-up of Wilkie Collins' mystery thriller 'The Moonstone' with assorted films and a dash of Spiggy Holes.
One thought on the way that Enid was muddling things up by the time of her last books; on Fun For the Secret Seven as analysed by John, old man 'Tolly', the injured horse's owner, sounds a lot like the name of the character, 'Old Man Tallery', who was the absent head of the gang of caravan-folk crooks who kidnapped the prince in Mystery of the Vanished Prince ( p 103 of the 1968 Dragon PB reprint of this, where Fatty questions his family and gets the kidnap story out of Rollo). A name popping back into Enid's memory and being reused, as she'd just done to the Find-Outers' village name of Peterswood?
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- Chrissie777
- Posts: 9448
- Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 16:54
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Adventure Series, Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: George Kirrin, Jack Trent
- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re: Journal 73
Still waiting for it.
Chrissie
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19319
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Journal 73
Mine still hasn't come yet! Now I'm wondering if I forgot to pay my subscription — I thought I'd done it...
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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)
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)
- Chrissie777
- Posts: 9448
- Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 16:54
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Adventure Series, Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: George Kirrin, Jack Trent
- Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Re: Journal 73
I always pay mine in December for the next year, so this issue is still paid for.
Chrissie
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
-
- Posts: 6386
- Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20
Re: Journal 73
Spot on!Courtenay wrote:Mine still hasn't come yet! Now I'm wondering if I forgot to pay my subscription — I thought I'd done it...
- Lucky Star
- Posts: 11496
- Joined: 28 May 2006, 12:59
- Favourite book/series: The Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: Mr Goon
- Location: Surrey, UK
Re: Journal 73
I make a point of paying mine online the moment I rip open the Winter Journal and the notice falls out. That way I know it's done.
"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
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- Courtenay
- Posts: 19319
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Journal 73
Oops... sorry, Tony. I've just re-subscribed now (via PayPal).
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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)
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)
-
- Posts: 6386
- Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20
Re: Journal 73
You are already sitting in the postbox opposite my house or at least your Journal is! As we lose long-term subscribers every issue it is very difficult to know if it is deliberate or accidental so I tend to say nothing so as not to embarrass people.Courtenay wrote: Oops... sorry, Tony. I've just re-subscribed now (via PayPal).
- 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: Journal 73
Finished reading the Journal now. Well packed with great articles, enjoyed them all.
I nice reflection on the Malory Towers books, Anita. Some I hadn't given a thought too, when reading this series. Maybe one day I will go through them again.
I loved the poem - Things I like to do. It reflects the era in which this poem was written. I remember Lux well. I too as a child in the 50's used to love the smell of the chemist, with it's coloured large bottles in the windows, and inside, the glass display cabinets, and the wooden floor. The assistant behind the counter used to be dressed in a white uniform.
Lovely memories.
I nice reflection on the Malory Towers books, Anita. Some I hadn't given a thought too, when reading this series. Maybe one day I will go through them again.
I loved the poem - Things I like to do. It reflects the era in which this poem was written. I remember Lux well. I too as a child in the 50's used to love the smell of the chemist, with it's coloured large bottles in the windows, and inside, the glass display cabinets, and the wooden floor. The assistant behind the counter used to be dressed in a white uniform.
Lovely memories.
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
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"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
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- Fiona1986
- Posts: 10545
- Joined: 01 Dec 2007, 15:35
- Favourite book/series: Five Go to Smuggler's Top
- Favourite character: Julian Kirrin
- Location: Dundee, Scotland
- Contact:
Re: Journal 73
I've only skimmed the journal so have just two comments:
Firstly I think lockdown has caused a huge resurgence in the interest in Blyton as people have been stuck at home looking for things to do. My monthly blog views have been roughly double their usual from April through to October and I've noticed that Georgina Hargreaves Blyton group on Facebook has been far more active too.
Secondly what do you mean that Tiens isn't pronounced Tee-enz, Anita?
Firstly I think lockdown has caused a huge resurgence in the interest in Blyton as people have been stuck at home looking for things to do. My monthly blog views have been roughly double their usual from April through to October and I've noticed that Georgina Hargreaves Blyton group on Facebook has been far more active too.
Secondly what do you mean that Tiens isn't pronounced Tee-enz, Anita?
"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
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"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.
World of Blyton Blog
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- Courtenay
- Posts: 19319
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Journal 73
Thanks, Tony! I'm glad you don't immediately drop people off the list if they don't pay up — in my case, it was definitely accidental and I'm glad to be back on board. Will look forward to the Journal when it arrives!Tony Summerfield wrote: You are already sitting in the postbox opposite my house or at least your Journal is! As we lose long-term subscribers every issue it is very difficult to know if it is deliberate or accidental so I tend to say nothing so as not to embarrass people.
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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)
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)
- Kate Mary
- Posts: 1934
- Joined: 20 Apr 2007, 06:25
- Favourite book/series: The Treasure Hunters/ Five Find Outers
- Favourite character: Barney
- Location: Kent
Re: Journal 73
I've read my way through the Journal and enjoyed it very much. The articles about the various books have inspired me to re-read them, especially Anita's on First Term at Malory Towers, that is long overdue for a re-read. Even John Pickup's article on Fun for the Secret Seven has decided me to look at this book again. And an uncollected Binkle and Flip story as well. Thanks Tony.
"I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines." Oliver Goldsmith
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- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: Journal 73
I've just read the Journal from cover to cover. Tony, you have once again done us proud.
I thoroughly enjoyed every article from everyone who took the time and effort to contribute for our enjoyment.
Missed having an article from our Rob, but hopefully, in the future, we will enjoy articles from him once again.
Regards
Pete
I thoroughly enjoyed every article from everyone who took the time and effort to contribute for our enjoyment.
Missed having an article from our Rob, but hopefully, in the future, we will enjoy articles from him once again.
Regards
Pete
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
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- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
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- Nick
- Posts: 1418
- Joined: 05 Feb 2009, 19:00
- Favourite book/series: Five on a Hike Together/Secret Seven
- Favourite character: Dick & Susie
- Location: Retford
Re: Journal 73
My journal arrived last Saturday and then promptly vanished. I looked everywhere for it and, tonight, it appeared on the sofa! No idea where it’s been
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