Enid Blyton - Crap/Not Crap?

[foo]

Otoh, she did Noddy.

well found Johnny.

fuck noddy.

and fuck her fucking gollywogs.

 

[sparkling]

I loved reading as a child and would read anything I got my hands on. Unfortunately nearly all my reading books were handmedowns from my aunt and consisted of all the What Katy Did books, Heidi, Black Beauty, Little Women and stuff like that. Also within her collection was the famous five books which I have to say I loved.

I chose Anne as my role model and really wanted to be like her and make little homes everywhere I went and bowed down to Julian's superior knowledge and strength. I really didn't understand George and just assumed she would grow out of her phase and become sensible one day.

When my children were little I returned to Enid but was shocked at the blatant and now to me obvious stereotyping and sexism and racism within and made sure my own boys had lots of other choices away from old Enid.

Now I think you could read them again and not be affected as they are so ridiculous they just could not be taken seriously. I think I could read them as an historical piece of work that illustrates a particular point of view at a particular time in history. A shameful view and not one that I agree with but one that might have been prevalent particularly during the early to middle part of the last century.

 

[colbhoy]

If at any point you read the Jennings books as well then that is fucking uncanny.

I did indeed actually, forgot about them. Also Willard Price, The Lone Pine Club etc.

First "adult" author I read was Agatha Christie.

 

[sojourner]

Sojourner, you really missed yourself with Moonface, honest

I remember carlotta too, the character. Did you really remember her name?

Nah, St Clares were enough for me

Err, yes, I did really remember her name

 

[Geri]

Unfortunately nearly all my reading books were handmedowns from my aunt and consisted of all the What Katy Did books, Heidi, Black Beauty, Little Women and stuff like that.

Why do you say 'unfortunately'? I read all those and loved them. Little Women is still one of my favourite books of all time.

 

[sojourner]

I was obsessed with Heidi (the book), and Black Beauty - nowt wrong with them

 

[sparkling]

I was obsessed with Heidi (the book), and Black Beauty - nowt wrong with them

But they are so bloody sanctimonious and pious and self satisfied. Although I did cry when Ginger died.

 

[trashpony]

I was obsessed with Heidi (the book), and Black Beauty - nowt wrong with them

We went on holiday in a caravan once and my bed folded down from the wall and I pretended I was Heidi

I really liked the famous five and all her mystery stuff and Mallory Towers. For some reason I've never heard of the St Clare ones

Even as a kid, I thought the girls were useless - Dick was my hero.

Sparkling - can't believe you liked Anne - she was so wet!

 

[sparkling]

We went on holiday in a caravan once and my bed folded down from the wall and I pretended I was Heidi

I really liked the famous five and all her mystery stuff and Mallory Towers. For some reason I've never heard of the St Clare ones

Even as a kid, I thought the girls were useless - Dick was my hero.

Sparkling - can't believe you liked Anne - she was so wet!

I always pretended our bunkbeds were the little loft in Heidi...where is my Peter?


As for Anne I know its deeply embarrassing and as an act of faith when becomming a feminist I didn't burn a bra but I did burn a famous five picture with Anne cooking

 

[Louloubelle]

load of old shit. horrible woman.

imo Enid Blyton definitley the crappiest of crapness (even for her time).

wot she said