Posted by Pam Adams on January 11, 2008 at 17:11:11 from 134.71.192.172 user PamAdams.
I recently read a few of the Famous Five books. One interesting item was the similarity of plots- example- children have to extend their winter vacation due to illness in both WH and Five Get Into A Fix. That similarity allowed me to see how much better of a writer that AR was. I came to both AR and Blyton as an adult- I have no fond childhood memories of either author. ('Carolyn Keene' is another story) The SA series is eminently readable, with strong characterizations, good plots, and great character development. Even the minor characters, such as Jacky or Mrs. McGinty are real people. The 5 reads, to my adult eyes, as something light and unreal- I can't really get into them.
Another point- and also made by someone else a few posts ago- is that AR's adventures are real. In Fix, the Five hear mysterious noises and see suspicious people. They're right, and solve a dangerous mystery. In PP, the Swallows and Amazons suspect Squashy Hat of evil deeds. They are proven wrong, and Timothy becomes a friend. Since most of us aren't involved in dangerous mysteries on a regular basis, I think that we can and do identify much more with the Swallows, Amazons, and D's, then we can with the Famous Five.
pam