I’ve read most of the series of children’s books by Enid Blyton, I think. In my school days, I would borrow them two or three at a time from the library and devour them. They were interesting, had children as the starring characters and had adventures that took place in the neighborhood. Yes, there were similarities in the characters. Both Famous Five and Five Find-outers had 4 or 5 children as the heroes, and a handsome pooch to help them. I think what set Five Find-outers apart from the others were the mysteries that they solved, some a bit dangerous. And not necessarily mysteries that children would think of solving.
The Five Find-outers are Pip, Larry, Daisy, Fatty and Bets, with Fatty’s dog Buster as an honorary unsaid sixth perhaps. They are kids who stumble on mysteries that at times break the calm in their neighborhood and take it upon themselves to find clues and solve them. Of the group, the former three share less of the spotlight. They come up with ideas that are important at times, but I love the latter trio more. Then there are some recurring characters like Goon, the local policeman who is often outwitted by the smart children and Ern, Goon’s nephew, who loves his “portry”.
Why I love Fatty, Bets and Buster….
Fatty (Frederick Algernon Trotteville) is kind, has a talent for disguises and often uses good judgment when he’s in trouble. It’s the former quality that I admire a lot, because of the group, he appreciates the inputs of Bets the most. He is generous with his pocket money, of which he receives plenty and loves oration and poetry. At times he is also boastful. Bets, being the youngest of the group, is at times quick to say things and Larry, Daisy and her brother Pip don’t often take her seriously. I like her quietness and that’s appealing to the big Inspector Jenks too. She’s wise and observant and at times brings out the turning point in the mysteries. The term “Find-outers” is her coinage, and it feels right, because they aren’t detectives really, just kids who “find out” things.
Fun for readers of any age…
I read one of the Enid Blyton series for the first time recently and quite enjoyed it. It showed me that Blyton’s books aren’t necessarily to be read by a particular age. It can be fun for anyone. I will be re-reading Five Find-outers soon, but I can assuredly say that that too has no age bars. They can be read as standalone books, but I’d recommend going in order from the first book The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage, to the last one The Mystery of Banshee Towers. My favorite three from the series are the first book, The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters (#4) and The Mystery of the Pantomime Cat (#7). This is a series I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone!
This is the 10th year of the #AtoZChallenge and my tenth year attempting it. My theme this year is Books – Read and Loved. As evident by the theme, I am going to write on books I’ve read and loved.
Liked this? Read some of my earlier posts written about Books.
Vinay Leo R.
06. 04. 2019
Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
I haven’t read any book of the five find outers. I’ve only read the Famous Five. I wasn’t so lucky to have a school library with so many Enid Blyton books!
(Reema D’souza recently posted… Fernweh #AtoZChallenge #NaPoWriMo)
Hehehe. There’s always Blossoms, Reems. Buy, read, enjoy. 😀 I like Famous Five, but I have a soft spot for the FFO.
Oh! Hey Leo, so that’s what find-outers means! kids who “find out” things. That is clever. As I was reading about the characters they reminded me of South Park I don’t know why. I guess it is because they live in a neighbourhood and find out things 🙂 They are always stumbling on mysteries around town. Except for the vulgar language. I assume Five Find-outers don’t have potty mouths like Eric, Stan, Kyle and Kenny.
(Jackie recently posted… F is for—Fighting for the Free Folk — #AtoZchallenge)
I don’t know South Park, but will check it out! 🙂 Thanks Jackie.
I loved Fatty the most . In my childhood friends would exchange books, read and pass on to other classmates. The library was another source. I wish to re-read all the children books and go down memory lane.
(Kalpana Solsi recently posted… Feet : Parts of the body)
Read, Kalpana! 🙂 Children’s books are beautiful no matter what age the reader is. My favorite is Bets actually.
Sounds like a very good for children to encourage their social skills as well with all these different characters.
(Andrea recently posted… The first six advice about how to become the best leader I can be #AtoZChallenge)
Thanks for dropping by, Andrea.
I love love Enid Blyton, and of all her Mystery series be it The Secret Seven or The Famous Five, This is my favorite!!
I love reading them and I totally agree about devouring them, cause that’s exactly what I do!!! I have almost all books from the series and I just need 2-3 more of them to finish it all!
Dropping in 🙂
Very nice. 🙂 I hope you find the remaining three books too, The Dream Girl.