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joanna_postcards's review
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
shryanayak's review against another edition
3.0
The Adventure Series, The Famous Five as well as The Secret Seven, each have a book dedicated to exploring all the fantasies every kid must have ever had of living on an island off-grid, soaking in the ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience. I remember being giddy with excitement whenever these kids took it upon themselves to UNO Reverse a completely barren piece of land, be it in the valleys or over the mountains, into a temporary shelter that would probably make AD green with envy!
And with these heartwarming scenes, Enid Blyton gave her readers some mystery to munch on to - most notably, thieves illegally smuggling art or treasures to places no police would ever think of searching for - but these children do and thereon begins the actual adventure. Not sure if this is going to be a recurring theme throughout Secret Series since I've only read this one (the first book) so far but I did notice that this one didn't really have that element of children uncovering something fishy. Unlike its counterparts, this probably makes for a lighter read with the book only focusing on how they live on an island instead. Can't lie when I say that I expected that ending. Hopefully Daisy the cow was picked up by the fisherman.
And with these heartwarming scenes, Enid Blyton gave her readers some mystery to munch on to - most notably, thieves illegally smuggling art or treasures to places no police would ever think of searching for - but these children do and thereon begins the actual adventure. Not sure if this is going to be a recurring theme throughout Secret Series since I've only read this one (the first book) so far but I did notice that this one didn't really have that element of children uncovering something fishy. Unlike its counterparts, this probably makes for a lighter read with the book only focusing on how they live on an island instead. Can't lie when I say that I expected that ending. Hopefully Daisy the cow was picked up by the fisherman.
testar's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
vikingwolf's review
3.0
Mike, Nora and Peggy are living with their aunt and uncle while their parents are on their own plane to Australia. But now that the plane and their parents have vanished, presumed dead, their nasty relatives are using them as slave labour on the farm instead of sending them to school and beating the grieving children when they don't get something right. Their only friend is Jack, who lives and works for his grandfather, who cares little about the boy. When Jack discovers that his grandfather is planning to move away and leave him behind, he comes up with a plan for the four children to run away to the deserted small island hidden out in the nearby lake. The children start to steal items that they can use on the island and store them in Jack's hidden rowing boat, ready for when they decide to leave.
The children arrive on the secret island and are thrilled about being on such an adventure. They have springs for fresh water, caves to shelter in for winter and an abundance of fresh berries to pick most of the year. Jack decides to smuggle his dairy cow and some chickens so they can have milk and eggs, and with plenty of fish in the lake and the tins they brought, things get off to a good start. Jack uses his skills to help them build a summer house and soft heather beds to sleep in and they learn about what it takes to look after their island home.
Danger comes in several forms for the children. The first is the constant fear of the authorities searching for them for running away from home and returning them to their relatives. The second is daytrippers coming to spoil the peace and quiet who might find them by accident and spoil everything. With winter approaching, the children know that they need food that can be stored longer term which means risky raids at their relatives home or trying to sell their wild berries at the market in a nearby town and hoping that nobody there knows who they are. If they don't take the risks, they will run out of food but if they get caught, things will be a whole lot worse for all of them.
I first read this book back when I was about eight and at the time I loved the whole idea of that kind of exciting adventure, running away with friends and living on a nice island. I still have dreams about having my own island getaway though I'd trade in heather beds for a fully constructed house! I was unsure how well this kind of book would age but I still found it quite an enjoyable adventure story, and quite suitable for kids to read. It was a touch predictable in places, especially the ending but it didn't take away from the story at all.
The kids themselves are not whiny little brats which makes a pleasant change. Nora is mildly annoying in the beginning in the way she doesn't take her duties seriously but Jack soon sorts out her attitude and she becomes much better. Jack is my favourite character because he knows about surviving, fishing and building things and he is the ideal friend to run away with. Without him, the kids would have found life a lot harder, and of course would never have found the island. I also enjoyed that Daisy and the chickens were given a bit of personality too.
Warning-this book was written in 1938 so there is level of sexism in the way the boys do the rowing and Peggy cooks but it isn't that bad as all the kids have to do their share. Rabbits are also killed for food but the killing and preparing them for cooking is not mentioned in any detail thankfully.
The children arrive on the secret island and are thrilled about being on such an adventure. They have springs for fresh water, caves to shelter in for winter and an abundance of fresh berries to pick most of the year. Jack decides to smuggle his dairy cow and some chickens so they can have milk and eggs, and with plenty of fish in the lake and the tins they brought, things get off to a good start. Jack uses his skills to help them build a summer house and soft heather beds to sleep in and they learn about what it takes to look after their island home.
Danger comes in several forms for the children. The first is the constant fear of the authorities searching for them for running away from home and returning them to their relatives. The second is daytrippers coming to spoil the peace and quiet who might find them by accident and spoil everything. With winter approaching, the children know that they need food that can be stored longer term which means risky raids at their relatives home or trying to sell their wild berries at the market in a nearby town and hoping that nobody there knows who they are. If they don't take the risks, they will run out of food but if they get caught, things will be a whole lot worse for all of them.
I first read this book back when I was about eight and at the time I loved the whole idea of that kind of exciting adventure, running away with friends and living on a nice island. I still have dreams about having my own island getaway though I'd trade in heather beds for a fully constructed house! I was unsure how well this kind of book would age but I still found it quite an enjoyable adventure story, and quite suitable for kids to read. It was a touch predictable in places, especially the ending but it didn't take away from the story at all.
The kids themselves are not whiny little brats which makes a pleasant change. Nora is mildly annoying in the beginning in the way she doesn't take her duties seriously but Jack soon sorts out her attitude and she becomes much better. Jack is my favourite character because he knows about surviving, fishing and building things and he is the ideal friend to run away with. Without him, the kids would have found life a lot harder, and of course would never have found the island. I also enjoyed that Daisy and the chickens were given a bit of personality too.
Warning-this book was written in 1938 so there is level of sexism in the way the boys do the rowing and Peggy cooks but it isn't that bad as all the kids have to do their share. Rabbits are also killed for food but the killing and preparing them for cooking is not mentioned in any detail thankfully.
abi_sarah's review
3.0
I haven’t read this in years and had somewhat forgotten the story. It was a very fun little adventure to go on and to feel like I was 7 again. Re-reading this made me realise what an excellent children’s author Blyton is, as I found myself giggly and the references towards the adult characters being mean or boring or scary. Still a good book all these years later.
loubraryoftheforest's review
5.0
Had a conversation about the joy of reading Enid blyton books recently so had A very long bath this morning and read this for probably the 10th time or more and it was just as good as I remembered, great story, great characters, i really wanted to be in there with them, a true classic. She makes you feel like it could really happen the details characters everything, four children on a huge adventure, perfect
katcic's review against another edition
5.0
This was a brilliant adventure story about a group of children fending for themselves. Some of Enid Blyton's books can be dated but this story was great from start to finish, even though it was written in 1938. It obviously had language and detail from that era, but somehow was really fresh and my 8 year old absolutely loved it, despite a normal diet of more modern ghost and zombie style reads.
He's already made me get the next one in the series.
He's already made me get the next one in the series.
erica_cb's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
k_r's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75