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imyerhero's review against another edition
4.0
Philip and Dinah Mannering and Lucy-Ann and Jack Trent have had the best of luck in being allowed to spend summer break together at the Mannering’s home – a castle, actually – Craggy Tops. They spend most of their time crawling along the beaches and hills and cliffs near Craggy Tops looking at birds and trying to find a way to get out to the mysterious island they see every once in a while through the fog out on the ocean. Unfortunately, their only options are Bill Smuggs, a friendly but secretive man studying birds on the cliffs, and Joe the grumpy handyman for Craggy Tops. But when they find a secret passage between the cellar and the beach, things begin to get creepy and the children decide they need to get out to the Island no matter what.
I actually bought this book unread based on the recommendation of Jane Brocket (of Yarnstorm). I have several of Brocket’s books, and she highly recommends pretty much anything written by Enid Blyton. This book is the first in the Adventure series which stars the Mannerings and the Trents. And I can pass on that high recommendation to any readers out there who enjoy classic children’s books such as the Little House, the Borrowers, the Secret Garden, etc. The characters are charming and the setting is just dramatic enough to make things interesting. And these children really act like children. Not the stupid children of adult literature, who are never competent enough to take care of themselves, or the frustrating children of modern works who are only caught up in material things and the drama of relationships. The Trents and the Mannerings are highly capable, intent on learning about what they’re interested in, willing to problem solve and determined to have fun while doing it. They have every ability of taking care of themselves and entertaining themselves for an entire day without television or games (that they don’t make up themselves). It’s the kind of childhood that could be called idyllic and is fairly rare in this day. And while you may have to put up with some naievete on their part concerning people’s character and some leaps of faith in the plotline (only because you have an adult mind), this book is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I actually bought this book unread based on the recommendation of Jane Brocket (of Yarnstorm). I have several of Brocket’s books, and she highly recommends pretty much anything written by Enid Blyton. This book is the first in the Adventure series which stars the Mannerings and the Trents. And I can pass on that high recommendation to any readers out there who enjoy classic children’s books such as the Little House, the Borrowers, the Secret Garden, etc. The characters are charming and the setting is just dramatic enough to make things interesting. And these children really act like children. Not the stupid children of adult literature, who are never competent enough to take care of themselves, or the frustrating children of modern works who are only caught up in material things and the drama of relationships. The Trents and the Mannerings are highly capable, intent on learning about what they’re interested in, willing to problem solve and determined to have fun while doing it. They have every ability of taking care of themselves and entertaining themselves for an entire day without television or games (that they don’t make up themselves). It’s the kind of childhood that could be called idyllic and is fairly rare in this day. And while you may have to put up with some naievete on their part concerning people’s character and some leaps of faith in the plotline (only because you have an adult mind), this book is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
girlpuck's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
fahrcks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
2.0
I've heard about Blyton for years - about what a huge influence she was and how decades of kids have grown up on her so I thought I would try.
Not that it was a bad book but it just never caught my interest.
Admittedly I am not the target audience but I actually enjoy quite a few kids series (The Great Brain, The Three Investigators, Brains Benton etc.) so I do know what works for me and what doesn't.
This one is a pass for me.
If the books interest you or intrigue you then by all means have at it but for me there are just too many good books our there to read average ones.
Not that it was a bad book but it just never caught my interest.
Admittedly I am not the target audience but I actually enjoy quite a few kids series (The Great Brain, The Three Investigators, Brains Benton etc.) so I do know what works for me and what doesn't.
This one is a pass for me.
If the books interest you or intrigue you then by all means have at it but for me there are just too many good books our there to read average ones.
phoenixkind's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
vixtye's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
annkathrin16's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
priya_sankaran05's review against another edition
5.0
After a long time, I finally got to start the adventure series and i felt it was worth it ... the plot is acceptable for a bunch of early teens ... first of all they are not portrayed to be super human kids who can do more than we can imagine... but just a bunch of curious georgies :) acceptable for their age ... and lucky at the end :)
Can wait to continue the series ...
Can wait to continue the series ...
austra_pro's review against another edition
4.0
Nolēmu pārbaudīt, ko tad esmu jaunatnei iegādājusi lasīšanai, un jāatzīst, ka tiku patīkami pārsteigta - tiešām aizraujošs gabals, un tie pāris robiņi sižetā nav pārāk traucējoši :)