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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
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
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absolutely adored these books growing up! I'm turning 18 next month and have been getting back into reading and had been reading boring adult books like 1984 that left a sour taste in my mouth. I started craving actually enjoyable books and I thought of the Famous Five, I had the whole set but sadly I gave them away in my early teen years as I thought they were too childish.
They brought a great comfort to me throughout my childhood, they're a good palette cleanser after horrible 1984.
Thankfully my mum kept her old set of "The Secret Stories", which I read before the Famous Five. They're books from her childhood (and she's in her 50's now) so they're falling apart but they're readable all the same.
I'm so tempted to ask for a set of the famous five for my birthday just because they were so good.. but I'm trying minimalism so maybe I'll just try the library instead.
They brought a great comfort to me throughout my childhood, they're a good palette cleanser after horrible 1984.
Thankfully my mum kept her old set of "The Secret Stories", which I read before the Famous Five. They're books from her childhood (and she's in her 50's now) so they're falling apart but they're readable all the same.
I'm so tempted to ask for a set of the famous five for my birthday just because they were so good.. but I'm trying minimalism so maybe I'll just try the library instead.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Julian, Dick, and Anne are disappointed when their parents announce plans to vacation alone in Scotland. The children quickly change their tune when they learn that they will be spending the summer at their aunt and uncle’s house on the coast with their cousin George (Don’t ever call her Georgina) and her dog, Timmy. What follows is a glorious summer of swimming, canoeing, and exploring George’s private island.
I’ve heard of Enid Blyton but I’ve never read any of her books before. I don’t know if she wasn’t as popular in the US in general or if my library simply didn’t have her books. Either way, I feel a bit deprived. I would have loved this book as a child!
As an adult who is more than willing to read a book for any age group, I still enjoyed it but I wish I were coming to it with a child’s innocence. Now, I find it astounding that George’s parents are like, “You want to spend a couple of nights on an island by yourselves, children? Here are your sandwiches.” I wonder what has caused that cultural shift? Smaller families and more time to worry about each child? Higher crime rates? It’s just something to ponder.
Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy are a fun little crew and their explorations feel like the stuff of childhood dreams. Anne, the youngest, is slightly timid; Dick and George are maybe a little too brave; and Julian seems to be the level-headed one. Timmy is just excited to be around his beloved pals.
If you’re looking to re-capture some childhood innocence or want to share some nostalgia with the children in your life, give this book a try. I smiled my way through it, reliving my own small summer adventures.
I’ve heard of Enid Blyton but I’ve never read any of her books before. I don’t know if she wasn’t as popular in the US in general or if my library simply didn’t have her books. Either way, I feel a bit deprived. I would have loved this book as a child!
As an adult who is more than willing to read a book for any age group, I still enjoyed it but I wish I were coming to it with a child’s innocence. Now, I find it astounding that George’s parents are like, “You want to spend a couple of nights on an island by yourselves, children? Here are your sandwiches.” I wonder what has caused that cultural shift? Smaller families and more time to worry about each child? Higher crime rates? It’s just something to ponder.
Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy are a fun little crew and their explorations feel like the stuff of childhood dreams. Anne, the youngest, is slightly timid; Dick and George are maybe a little too brave; and Julian seems to be the level-headed one. Timmy is just excited to be around his beloved pals.
If you’re looking to re-capture some childhood innocence or want to share some nostalgia with the children in your life, give this book a try. I smiled my way through it, reliving my own small summer adventures.
2020 review:
enid blyton in 1942: i'm gonna describe all the delicious food the kids eat in detail and make all the british kids currently living on rations very hungry >:)
(i mean we all know by now that she was problematic as fuck. still enjoy this book though, i don't think it has anything overly problematic)
re-read this to listen to the famous five podcast, as "podcasts about classic children's lit" is my favorite niche
enid blyton in 1942: i'm gonna describe all the delicious food the kids eat in detail and make all the british kids currently living on rations very hungry >:)
(i mean we all know by now that she was problematic as fuck. still enjoy this book though, i don't think it has anything overly problematic)
re-read this to listen to the famous five podcast, as "podcasts about classic children's lit" is my favorite niche