A new lease of life for the Devil May 4, 2008
Books such as The Devil Rides Out and To the Devil - A Daughter, written between 1933 and 1977, have been granted new life following a deal struck last month between Wheatley's grandson and Chorion, the company that owns the rights to the works of Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton. Fresh editions of Wheatley's popular tales of horror, romance and historical skulduggery and television serialisations are now planned. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
Weird and brutal life in a mongrel tongue May 3, 2008
Illiterate on arrival, Diaz discovered public libraries, Enid Blyton, John Christopher, Planet Of The Apes and, in his late teens, Toni Morrison, Salman Rushdie and Stephen King. "Being an immigrant sucks," he says now. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Golly, Disney's hotted up Blyton's lot Mar 25, 2008
Jo, Max, Allie and Dylan are the children of Enid Blyton's original characters and together with their pet dog, Timmy, they embark on a new series of adventures ... " Vivienne Endecott, a member of the Enid Blyton Society, said she was "wary" about the makeover. "I don't really see how you can take the Famous Five out of their era, which is 1940s Britain," she said. "Anybody can write about four children and a dog, and my concern is that modern kids who watch this will think that the Famous Five... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Famous Five's offspring get a 21st-century makeover Mar 23, 2008
A DISNEY cartoon series that aims to give Enid Blyton's Famous Five a 21st-century makeover has met a dubious reception from the books' fans ... Instead Jo, Max, Allie and Dylan the children of Enid Blyton's original characters and their pet dog Timmy fight off enemies using mobile phones and other modern gadgets ... Vivienne Endecott, of the Enid Blyton Society, said she was "wary" about the makeover. (The Age)
Boy, 15, nailed to a cross as Filipinos whip and crucify themselves in ritual... Mar 23, 2008
Do you have a complaint against this newspaper. If you have a complaint about the editorial content in this website which concerns inaccuracy or intrusion and the article directly affects you, then. (The Drudge Report)
Hunt for 6ft 4in toyboy after Shirley Valentine nurse is murdered ... Mar 23, 2008
NIGELLA GETS INTO SHAPE. The domestic goddess has embarked on an intense exercise regime to lose weigh. (Daily Mail)
Extraordinary manComic book writer Alan Moore describes his path to success Mar 22, 2008
" The book will spiral between memories and tales from Moore's family history, fantasy elements and historical dramatisations from Northampton's past. One section of the novel will feature Moore's brother's adventures in the fourth dimension, crossing through the history of the town. "I've described the middle bit as a savage, hallucinating Enid Blyton," says Moore. He says it is looking like running to 750,000 words. "I wanted it to be one volume. I was hoping the technology [to have that many... (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Famous Five has an Indian head Mar 22, 2008
LONDON: Sixty six years after British author Enid Blyton unveiled her Famous Five series before adoring children the world over, the fictional adventurers have been updated for a new generation and with a new leader - Jo , an Anglo-Indian. Revived by Disney as television cartoons and books, the members of the new Famous Five are children of the original five created in 1942 - team leader Julian , Dick , George , Anne and the dog Timmy. (India Times, India)
Famous Five go high-tech in new books and film for Disney Channel Mar 21, 2008
So, 66 years after Enid Blyton created the Famous Five, it turns out that George liked boys after all ... Can't we allow Enid Blyton to be more open minded and contemporary, if only in death. (Times Online)
Gosh! Look what Disney's done to Enid Blyton's Famous Five Mar 20, 2008
Look what Disney's done to Enid Blyton's Famous Five ... Enid Blyton's terribly British young adventurers have been given a modern makeover by Disney for an animated series ... The way they were: Enid Blyton's original line-up set off on another 'gay' adventure. (Daily Mail)
Five go to the 21st century Mar 20, 2008
Sixty-six years after Enid Blyton created her child detectives, the Famous Five are to be revived in a TV cartoon series and books ... Laura Clunie, the series producer, told the Daily Telegraph: "Like the original Famous Five the new characters are smart kids who love to get down and dirty in the outdoors. They are savvy, engaging, love to get stuck into a good mystery. But they also enjoy technology like iPods, computers and mobile phones." Vivienne Endecott of the Enid Blyton Society, said... (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
The whole world in his hands Mar 16, 2008
When I was growing up, everyone had their favourite Michael Jackson track in the same way that white, middle-class kids had a favourite Enid Blyton book. His music gave you a sense that things were possible. (Guardian Unlimited)
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Feb 23, 2008
This gargantuan tale of serial murder of the most sickening kind and corporate skullduggery spanning continents has about as much in common with Agatha Christie's or Dorothy Sayers's sedate whodunits as Tolstoy does with Enid Blyton - at least at first glance. In fact, Blyton gets a flying mention, along with Christie and Sayers, as well as Sue Grafton, Val McDiarmid, Sara Paretsky and several other key figures in the history of the detective novel. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
The return of the young master Feb 10, 2008
Illiterate on arrival, he discovered public libraries, Enid Blyton, John Christopher and Planet of the Apes and, in his late teens, Toni Morrison, Salman Rushdie and Stephen King. Being an immigrant sucks,' he says now. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
Taking the stage Feb 10, 2008
A shy daydreamer, he read Tintin and Asterix, Enid Blyton, anything that had an adventurous storyline. He had pictures of Wonder Woman and Wilma Deering (from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century) on his wall, as well as his beloved Queen's Park Rangers. (Guardian Unlimited)
Phil Redmond: Man of the people Feb 9, 2008
"We wanted to move away from the Enid Blyton, middle-class drama the BBC had been showing and portray the realities of school life." It was a revelation. Viewers who recalled Billy Bunter, Goodbye Mr Chips or Please Sir. (Independent)
Going boldly into the minefield that is health Dec 29, 2007
The Australian's Christine Jackman has likened her to a head-girl in an Enid Blyton tale, and a social column mocked her for being the only Labor frontbencher to heed Kevin Rudd's directive that his ministers not take holidays. Roxon is one of three sisters who were brought up by their mother after the death of their father when Roxon was 10. (The Age, Australia -- Breaking News)
The 'tut-tut' police keep us on the street and narrow Dec 2, 2007
Like the whitewashing of Enid Blyton books, the move has sparked howls of protest and charges of political correctness sucking the fun out of childhood. Children's book author Andy Griffiths, creator of the popular "Bum" series, said children loved dark, mischievous characters such as those who lived on Sesame Street. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Graphologist shares her handwriting analysis secrets Nov 27, 2007
Sheila has always loved reading mysteries, beginning with a children's series she read by Enid Blyton at age seven. But it wasn't until about 10 years ago while sitting in a dentist's chair that the idea for a mystery story came to her. (Los Angeles Daily News)
Doris May Lessing Nov 26, 2007
There seems to be a parallel here with writers such as Enid Blyton, also the victim of an unhappy childhood. Both became fiction writers. (Suite101.com)
Latest Discounts And Deals #1 Nov 22, 2007
is offering half price deals on selected cookery books, together with 40% off some of its other titles including Star Wars, Simpsons and that good old childhood staple, Enid Blyton. If you're looking for a few more ideas to fill those Christmas stockings then why not check out , which is offering a free gift including a Mini Satsuma Body Butter and mascara when you spend over 25. (Sky News)
'I kept her book by my bed for 18 years' Oct 3, 2007
My favourite childhood reading was Enid Blyton - it was the 1970s - and particularly the Famous Five ... She may not have intended to, but Enid Blyton started me on a long journey of political discovery, through studying feminist literature at university, postgraduate gender studies work and now as a mother. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
Louis Theroux Sep 30, 2007
We'd read St Clare's and Mallory Towers [Enid Blyton school stories] and we thought it would be all midnight feasts. When you were a boarder, you definitely felt superior to the day boys: "You're going home now, but we're... hardcore. The party continues."' His next film is about San Quentin prison and the relationships between the prisoners there - intense, even romantic - reminded him of boarding school 'in a way. (Guardian Unlimited)
Gosh! Mystery of how Blyton got her revenge Sep 23, 2007
Enid Blyton's books have a reputation for innocence, innocence even to the point of banality, with their handy clues, helpful dogs and lashings of parochial adventure ... Writer Duncan McClaren has researched the real-life connections and resonances in the many books that Blyton wrote during her prolific career for his new study, Looking for Enid: The Mysterious and Inventive Life of Enid Blyton ... The biographer's theory, already vetted by members of the Enid Blyton Society, fits the facts... (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
J. K. Rowling and Enid Blyton Sep 22, 2007
Enid Blyton, children's author of the 20th century and J.K. Rowling, children's author of the 21st century have more in common than you might think ... But by far the most prolific 20th century children's author was Enid Blyton ... It seems there is still space on the book shelves for both Enid Blyton and J. K. Rowling. (Suite101.com)
The awful truth: the pen is not so mighty after all Sep 19, 2007
Then I learnt that Enid Blyton and C.S. Lewis were controversial. Now, I find that I must doubt that grand adage: the pen is mightier than the sword. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Dahl beats Rowling as young adults' favourite read Sep 13, 2007
Prolific English children's writer Enid Blyton who wrote the Famous Five series and the Noddy books only made tenth place. Also in the top 10 was Dr Seuss and best-selling writer Jacqueline Wilson. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Dahl still favourite childrens author Sep 13, 2007
Prolific children s author Enid Blyton, whose Famous Five, Secret Seven, Adventurous Four and Noddy books have delighted generations of children, only made the 10th spot. Roald Dahl was the son of Norwegian immigrants who moved to Cardiff in the 1880s. (ic Wales)
The School Stories Revival Aug 31, 2007
The most famous exponents of the traditional school story had all dropped away: Elinor Brent-Dyer had died in 1969, leaving one posthumous work to be published, and Enid Blyton had stopped her St. Clare s and Malory Towers series in the early fities, long before her death in 1968 ... Chorion, the company who bought the rights to Enid Blyton s backlist, employed Pamela Cox and Anne Digby to write more works in the St. Clare s and Naughtiest Girl in the School series respectively. (Suite101.com)
Famous Five to re-unite in middle age Aug 29, 2007
What happened to the Famous Five, Enid Blyton's crime-busting adolescents who entertained generations with their school holiday adventures ... Enid Blyton Society members and fans of the author were open-minded about the concept, provided it remained faithful to the original stories. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
The Girls' Boarding School Story Aug 29, 2007
Enid Blyton s two series of books about St. Clare s and Malory Towers follow extremely narrow plot patterns by means of pretty unimaginative prose. It seems unfair, however, to judge a genre on its most popular examples. (Suite101.com)
With loyalties divided among three continents Aug 26, 2007
A I read all of Enid Blyton and a lot of garbage. At the same time there was a longing created, to read something like that -- English moors, caravans, gypsies -- about my own place. (Boston Globe)
Read on... Aug 8, 2007
Three books that mean a lot to me:Playing Shakespeare by John BartonMans Search for Meaning by Viktor E. FranklThe Adventure Series by Enid Blyton. Last film I saw: Hairspray, directed by Adam Shankman. (Variety)
Harry's history Jul 24, 2007
She attributed part of her success to the way "she's adapted aspects of famous classic books: magic and creatures of Tolkien, the cosy home life of Enid Blyton, school for witches (Worst Witch), an orphan (Charles Dickens)". The first three books also boasted a lot of humour: "Mrs Dursley was thin and blonde and had nearly twice the usual amount of neck, which came in very useful as she spent so much of her time craning over garden fences, spying on the neighbours." The vain Gilderoy Lockhart... (Courier Mail)
Review: Potter book gives fitting closure Jul 23, 2007
The Potter epic has themes derived from Greek mythology, J.R.R. Tolkien, "Star Wars," Tom Brown's "Schooldays" and Enid Blyton. The stage is now set for a classic, final confrontation of Sherlock Holmes versus Professor Moriarty or "The Matrix's" Neo versus Agent Smith proportions. (CNN -- World)
Hogwarts is a winner because boys will be sexist neocon boys Jul 22, 2007
It is hard to think of a more right-wing convocation than Roald Dahl, Richard Adams, Henry Williamson, Captain W E Johns, J R R Tolkien and the blessed Enid Blyton. Strength of character, elitism, common sense conservatism and a healthy dollop of sentimentality appeal to young boys - which is one reason why the ludicrous eco-leftie Woodland Folk never came close to supplanting Baden-Powell s Scouting for Boys. (Times Online)
'I'm a giant fraud' Jul 14, 2007
Soon the ambitious, poetry-writing teenager - who now admits, sheepishly, to typing Enid Blyton books verbatim as a kid - discovered Vikram Seth's famous verse novel, The Golden Gate. "I had this sudden flash that I could write a poem that is a novel, and it would be an evolution from what I knew to something new," he says. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Tintin book is crude, racist and must be banned, says watchdog Jul 12, 2007
The Three Golliwogs, by Enid Blyton Golliwogs, which resemble caricatures of African men, were often portrayed as villains. Also in Children. (Times Online)
New heroes enter as Harry exits Jun 28, 2007
She wrote The Shadow Thief when she was 13, influenced by J.M. Barrie, Lewis Carroll, Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl who wrote "the books my parents used to read to me". But like any other young writer she has also been influenced by the J.K.Rowling phenomenon. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Paul Hodder-Williams Jun 21, 2007
That decade also saw tremendous growth in Hodder hton's educational and children's publishing, including the Famous Five and Secret Seven books by Enid Blyton. But the firm had fallen behind its main rival, Collins; it was too middle of the road, with an out-of-date non-fiction list. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
Young fiction comes out of the wardrobe May 26, 2007
We read comics and Enid Blyton as well as two and sixpenny versions of the children's classics ... Mums and dads don't always stay cheerily together forever the way they did in all those Enid Blyton books. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Geri Halliwell Spices Up Children's Lit Apr 14, 2007
Whether the ginger-headed songstress, who cited C.S. Lewis and Enid Blyton as her favorite authors, plans on going back to music fulltime remains to be seen. "We'll see," she said. (E! Online)
Geri 'Ginger Spice' Halliwell gets prolific Apr 14, 2007
Halliwell, 34, who named C.S. Lewis and Enid Blyton as her favorite childhood authors, characterized one of the unfinished stories she is working on as being a little like "Alice in Wonderland meets Raiders of the Lost Ark.". Halliwell said Ugenia is "a very well-rounded human being. She's flawed. She's demanding. She can be a bit obnoxious, but equally she cares about the world she lives in.". (USA Today -- Life)
Ginger Spice becomes kids' author Apr 13, 2007
Halliwell cites her literary influences as greats like CS Lewis, Enid Blyton and Oscar Wilde and adds of her books: "There is a positive message in there, but it tastes like chocolate not cabbage." The UN Goodwill Ambassador, who recently announced she was quitting the pop world, was signed up by Macmillan Children's Books after calling the managing director of the publishing house out of the blue. The wannabe JK Rowling follows in the footsteps of Madonna, who has also taken up children's... (Manchester Evening News)
- Diary: Jon Henley Apr 13, 2007
Inspired by her great childhood literary influences CS Lewis, Enid Blyton and, er, Oscar Wilde. Featuring a nine-year-old heroine called Ugenia Lavender. (Guardian Unlimited)
Language gives you wings Apr 7, 2007
Her name was a warning bell, her writing a disturbance, for it disrupted me with its intimacy, unlike Enid Blyton, who had never invited me into anyone's mind. Intimacy is always one-on-one with the reader. (The Age, Australia -- Breaking News)
Your 20 hidden tourist gems Mar 24, 2007
Or Enid Blyton in miniature. It's a charity too, very sweet in this age of commerciality. (BBC News -- UK)
Joy and knowledge from a life-long habit Mar 18, 2007
Our Deputy Prime Minister, no matter how busy, always finds time for his passion: reading. He shares his thoughts on his favourite books, how they have influenced him and why most Malaysians dont read. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Question time Mar 15, 2007
Children's laureate Jacqueline Wilson on Enid Blyton, unhappy families - and why she's not as rich as JK Rowling ... You've mentioned Enid Blyton's book about her life before. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
What the critics said about The Entertainer Mar 11, 2007
This week Ill be reading Five Go To Mystery Moor by Enid Blyton to my children. I love the clash between the posh, garrulous Julian and the silent, brooding gypsies. (Guardian Unlimited)
Boyhood tales scoop Commonwealth prizes Mar 7, 2007
"A characteristic of this year's books was their fascination with intersecting stories, when Bollywood meets Enid Blyton or Scheherazade clashes with famous football triumphs. Cultures meet and sensibilities shift," said Smith. Murr and Matar, along with the winners from Africa, the Caribbean and Canada, and South East Asia and South Pacific, now enter the final stage of the prize. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
Naeem Murr wins Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book Mar 7, 2007
Hisham Matar`s "In The Country Of Men"" was chosen for the Best First Book Award. In Murr`s book, Rajiv Travers, the child of an Indian mother and English father is abandoned, first to relatives in London and later to the care of his uncle`s mistress, Ruth winters, who lives in a small American town. Parallels can be drawn between the novel`s character and Murr`s own life, as he was born and raised in London and has lived in the USA since 1987. He is of Lebanese and Irish parentage. Murr has... (Zee News)
Books you can't live without: the top 100 Mar 1, 2007
90 The Faraway Tree Collection Enid Blyton. 91 Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
'I was a girl for gritty realism' Feb 24, 2007
Like most children growing up in the 1950s, I read a lot of Enid Blyton books ... I read each of these stories once and then rushed on to the next book, visiting the local library several times a week, but there was one Enid Blyton book I read over and over again, right up into my teens ... I didn't want to write like Enid Blyton, but I found her chapters about the writing process fascinating, if dispiriting. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
Digging in the trenches for the lode of a golden age Feb 21, 2007
Home reading was Superman comics, Enid Blyton stories and Biggles. Nothing of literary merit such as Harry Potter. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Lang Fang: Another figure in Indonesia's literature Feb 20, 2007
The cheerful and outgoing Lan Fang, who is a fan of Enid Blyton and Kahlil Gibran, has won many fiction writing contests. In 1997 Bicara Tentang Cinta, Sri (Talk about Love, Sri) won the first runner up prize in a contest held by Nyata tabloid. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
