The Famous Five: 75 and still going strong

Whenever I don’t have a book to read, I always dive into the comforting depths of The Magic Faraway Tree or Mr Pinkwhistle. There’s something so special about Enid Blyton’s books — a whopping 750 of them. All the scrumptious food mentioned in her books make sure my tummy is always rumbling. The tricks, mysteries and strange people that pop out of the books make sure that my attention never wanders. 

However, my friends and I don’t like Enid Blyton as much as my mothers and aunts did. It’s annoying how the nicest and prettiest girls are always fair, with golden curls and blue eyes. The boys are always the responsible, pig-headed ones racing around to save the day.

When I learnt recently that the Famous Five is turning 75, I instantly remembered Aunt Fanny, Kirrin Island and the four cousins with their faithful dog, Timmy. The Famous Five was one of the first ‘proper’ series that I read. My whole family was excited to find me reading it. However, I found it rather offensive that girls got measly roles in the adventures.

There was also something utterly ridiculous, I felt, that Kirrin Island, ehich is quite a discreet place, harboured millions of criminals and smugglers. I always wondered what the police were up to. I also did not really like some of the characters, such as pompous, bossy Julian, a scaredy-cat, and very typical Anne.

Despite all this, there is something very enticing and magnetic about these books. The Famous Five has sold millions of copies, and every year two million more are sold. And why not? The ‘famous five’ are always in the midst of the sort of excitement and adventure every child yearns for. There are many who criticise Blyton’s books — for the lack of new words, characters, and plots, for the under-lying gender discrimination and racism. While all this may be true, there is no taking away the fact that, even after 75 years, she manages to help her readers transcend to another world.

The writer is a bookworm who sometimes puts her books down to giggle, play the cello and write her own stories