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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
One of my favourites as a child, I still love revisiting these classic adventures on a rainy Sunday afternoon. SO pure and wholesome, the whole series is to love and cherish!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
George isn’t expecting to like her cousins, Julian, Dick and Anne, but after a slightly rocky start they become firm friends, even helping her keep the secret about her dog, Timothy, and when the opportunity comes to go searching for treasure on a deserted island belonging to her family she’s glad to have the company. Especially when they are interrupted by some men looking for the same thing.
If you follow me on Instagram you will know I’ve decided to spend a little time between now and Christmas re-visiting some of my childhood favourites. This year has been tough for so many reasons and it’s nice to have a little nostalgia and magic in the run up to Christmas.
The Famous Five books are one of the reasons I got into reading as a child. I absolutely loved reading about their adventures and wished I could be part of a group like that myself. Most of my books as a kid came from car boot sales and school fairs and I could always be found at the book stalls at these events, rummaging around to try and find any books that I didn’t have. Despite not planning on having kids myself I couldn’t quite bring myself to get rid of most of my favourites so I had them all kept safely in a crate in my room.
This is the first book in the Famous Five series so a fair amount of time is spent on introducing the characters and setting the scene. I hadn’t remembered how short these books were, they used to keep my entertained for so long I had imagined them being a lot longer than they actually are. I finished this one in under 24 hours, flying past the half way point last night, reading a little at breakfast this morning and then finishing it off a short while ago after doing my weekly shop.
“Five on a Treasure Island” is extremely fast paced, as I suppose you would expect from a book this short. The story and writing is quite dated, as I had expected as I remember it feeling dated when I read them as a kid and that was around 30 years ago now! More than anything though reading this took me straight back to my childhood. I can remember sitting in my bedroom, with my Pound Puppies bedspread and being enchanted by Blyton’s storytelling.
I’ve decided I’m not going to give star ratings to these nostalgia reads as it would be impossible to be truly objective due to the ridiculous level of childhood joy this is reigniting in me. I’ve absolutely loved being back with the Famous Five and can’t wait for my next nostalgia read.
Loved this series as a child and devoured several books in a row each holiday. I couldn't wait to go to the library and exchange one stack of books for another. :D
This series is an oldie but a goodie. Some elements of the story may be a bit dated now, especially technology, but the adventures more than make up for it. You can't resist the boyish charm of George/Georgina, her stubborness and courage. Not that other children aren't competent or ingenious, but she's my favourite.
This series is an oldie but a goodie. Some elements of the story may be a bit dated now, especially technology, but the adventures more than make up for it. You can't resist the boyish charm of George/Georgina, her stubborness and courage. Not that other children aren't competent or ingenious, but she's my favourite.
There was a time when Enid Blyton books were the only books I’d read. I’m glad I grew out of this, although the woman’s written over 600 books, so I’d have been right for a few more years, even if I hadn’t grown out of my obsession!
I know I was reading the Famous Five books when I was in grade 1, and I know that my mum had quite a collection, however the only 2 I can remember now are [b:Five on a Hike Together|735321|Five on a Hike Together (Famous Five, #10)|Enid Blyton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408926735s/735321.jpg|1075981] and [b:Five Go Down to the Sea|557229|Five Go Down to the Sea (Famous Five, #12)|Enid Blyton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1322759423s/557229.jpg|5140946] - perhaps these were favourites that I re-read over and over again??
Anyway, I don’t really remember reading this, the first of the Famous Five series, when Julian, Dick and Anne meet George and Timmy, although I suspect I have read it before.
I read it now because it was being featured on the ABCs The Book Club (not that I normally worry about reading their selections before I watch it) and I realised one of my local libraries had a copy. So I picked it up. It took all of about 4 hours to read and was a fun trip back to my childhood! Highly unlikely, but I can certainly see why they appeal to kids.
I don’t think I will now go on a Famous Five re-reading binge, but I might pick some of the ones that sound the most interesting and (re)read them at some point, and see if they jog any memories for me!
I know I was reading the Famous Five books when I was in grade 1, and I know that my mum had quite a collection, however the only 2 I can remember now are [b:Five on a Hike Together|735321|Five on a Hike Together (Famous Five, #10)|Enid Blyton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408926735s/735321.jpg|1075981] and [b:Five Go Down to the Sea|557229|Five Go Down to the Sea (Famous Five, #12)|Enid Blyton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1322759423s/557229.jpg|5140946] - perhaps these were favourites that I re-read over and over again??
Anyway, I don’t really remember reading this, the first of the Famous Five series, when Julian, Dick and Anne meet George and Timmy, although I suspect I have read it before.
I read it now because it was being featured on the ABCs The Book Club (not that I normally worry about reading their selections before I watch it) and I realised one of my local libraries had a copy. So I picked it up. It took all of about 4 hours to read and was a fun trip back to my childhood! Highly unlikely, but I can certainly see why they appeal to kids.
I don’t think I will now go on a Famous Five re-reading binge, but I might pick some of the ones that sound the most interesting and (re)read them at some point, and see if they jog any memories for me!
This is the first in the Famous Five series of books and is just as good now as when I read it as a child.
The plot is engaging, both to children and adults - though it certainly harkens back to days that are now far far gone by. The characters of the children are set up well here (honestly they go through very little character development over the course of the books that I recall), as are the (limited) parental figures.
The writing is simple but descriptive - I think it is the reason these are so engaging to so many people and for so many years.
I have the first five books in this 'special' edition format (celebrating 100 years of Enid Blyton) and am saving them for any children I might have as I would love to share my love of reading and these books with them.
If you're a parent and have young children these books are really good and I cannot recommend them enough.
The plot is engaging, both to children and adults - though it certainly harkens back to days that are now far far gone by. The characters of the children are set up well here (honestly they go through very little character development over the course of the books that I recall), as are the (limited) parental figures.
The writing is simple but descriptive - I think it is the reason these are so engaging to so many people and for so many years.
I have the first five books in this 'special' edition format (celebrating 100 years of Enid Blyton) and am saving them for any children I might have as I would love to share my love of reading and these books with them.
If you're a parent and have young children these books are really good and I cannot recommend them enough.
I'm rereading some of my childhood books, and The Famous Five were a big part of it! How I longed to have my very own island and a wreck just for myself!
Reading this book nowadays is important to have in mind when it was written as it can seem sexist, and for whom it was written as it is pretty straightforward and simple. Even so, I doubt the book was groundbreaking at the time, and the language is sometimes annoyingly repetitive.
Anyway, I'm giving it 3 stars for the nostalgia, and I'm going to read more of this series as I barely remember them.
Reading this book nowadays is important to have in mind when it was written as it can seem sexist, and for whom it was written as it is pretty straightforward and simple. Even so, I doubt the book was groundbreaking at the time, and the language is sometimes annoyingly repetitive.
Anyway, I'm giving it 3 stars for the nostalgia, and I'm going to read more of this series as I barely remember them.
"That doesn't look like a new book," my husband said to me last night when he saw me reading Five on a Treasure Island.
"It was first published in 1942," I told him.
"Maybe it was a book we read when we were kids?" he asked.
"No, I don't think so. Enid Blyton was never big here in America."
Why, I wonder. I can't think of a single reason. Julian, Dick, Anne, and George (as well as the dog, Timmy) are worthy characters. George (really, Georgina) is a girl who doesn't want to be a girl (what girl really wanted to be a girl back then, anyway); George is wildly ahead of her time. The story is full of adventure and mystery, with the kids rowing out to an island sans grownups and exploring an old wreck. What parent now would allow children to do such a thing? But how much fun it would be for kids today to read about it.
I would have read every book, had these stories been available in my school library, and my husband would have, too. Let's hope kids everywhere now have access to this great series.
"It was first published in 1942," I told him.
"Maybe it was a book we read when we were kids?" he asked.
"No, I don't think so. Enid Blyton was never big here in America."
Why, I wonder. I can't think of a single reason. Julian, Dick, Anne, and George (as well as the dog, Timmy) are worthy characters. George (really, Georgina) is a girl who doesn't want to be a girl (what girl really wanted to be a girl back then, anyway); George is wildly ahead of her time. The story is full of adventure and mystery, with the kids rowing out to an island sans grownups and exploring an old wreck. What parent now would allow children to do such a thing? But how much fun it would be for kids today to read about it.
I would have read every book, had these stories been available in my school library, and my husband would have, too. Let's hope kids everywhere now have access to this great series.
I gave this 4 stars instead of 3 BECAUSE I READ IT IN FRENCH - so proud.
I've finished some books in French (like the first Harry Potter) but never finished a French text this long and difficult. It's meant for kids from 8 to 12.. but still.. PROGRESS! Progress is good.
I've finished some books in French (like the first Harry Potter) but never finished a French text this long and difficult. It's meant for kids from 8 to 12.. but still.. PROGRESS! Progress is good.