The Enid Blyton Society

Six Cousins

When their grand house burns down, town cousins Cyril, Melisande and Roderick come to stay with country cousins Jack, Jane and Susan, who live on Mistletoe Farm. The country cousins are far from thrilled as they consider Cyril "affected", Melisande vain and Roderick a "darling mother's boy".

Six Cousins

But then the town cousins are not impressed by the fact that Jack is boorish and Jane untidy and careless. Even young Susan can be outspoken and impulsive. Tempers become frayed and patience wears thin, but somehow the six children must learn to adapt to the new situation.

Linnie (mother of the country cousins) is wise and hard-working, and her calming presence is felt throughout the house. What a contrast with Rose (mother of the town cousins), who is lazy and selfish and "always retires to bed when anything happens to her family," tragically unaware that she needs them just as much as they need her.

Six Cousins

The Six Cousins books are "family" books rather than "farm" books, focussing on the children and the crises they face — crises that may be the making or breaking of them. Adult characters play a significant role and the stories are laden with drama and full of comparisons and contrasts, making them a gripping and unusually poignant read.

The detailed illustrations by Peter Beigel and Maurice Tulloch capture the ambience of the books perfectly.

Six Cousins Books, Stories and Games

Six Cousins

There are 2 original Six Cousins books by Enid Blyton written in 1948 and 1950...
First Published in 1948 by Evans Brothers
Book 1 of 2 in this category
See review by Anita Bensoussane
First Published in 1950 by Evans Brothers
Book 2 of 2 in this category
See review by Anita Bensoussane