Enid Blyton

Enid Blyton[1†]

Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968), an English children's writer, sold over 600 million books in 90 languages, ranking 4th for most translated author by June 2019. She authored popular series like Noddy, Famous Five, and Malory Towers. Blyton's prolific output, averaging fifty books yearly, sparked rumors of ghostwriters, vehemently denied. Blyton emphasized moral values and supported charitable causes, fostering her readers' philanthropy. Her life inspired the BBC film "Enid," starring Helena Bonham Carter[1†].

Early Years and Education

Enid Mary Blyton was born on 11 August 1897 in East Dulwich, South London, United Kingdom[1†]. She was the eldest of three children born to Thomas Carey Blyton, a cutlery salesman, and his wife Theresa Mary[1†]. After her birth, the Blyton family moved to Beckenham in Kent, where her younger brothers, Hanley and Carey Blyton, were born[1†][2†].

Blyton had a close relationship with her father, who inspired her love for nature, art, theatre, music, and literature[1†][2†]. Her father’s influence played a significant role in shaping her future as a writer[1†][2†]. However, her relationship with her mother was turbulent, and they never really came close[1†][2†].

Blyton’s early education details are not well-documented. However, she showed a keen interest in writing from a young age. A children’s magazine published one of her poems when she was just 14[1†][3†]. She gave up her early music studies to train as a schoolteacher at Ipswich High School from 1916 to 1918[1†][4†]. In 1917, another of her poems was published in Nash’s Magazine[1†][4†].

After completing her training, Blyton began teaching at Bickley Park School in 1919[1†][5†]. In 1920, she moved to Surbiton and became a governess to four boys of a couple called Thompson[1†][5†]. These experiences enriched her understanding of children, which later reflected in her writings[1†][5†].

Career Development and Achievements

Enid Blyton’s career as a writer began in earnest around 1924[6†]. She devoted herself full-time to writing, and from then until about 1965, she wrote more than 600 children’s books and numerous articles for magazines[6†]. Some of her stories first appeared in Enid Blyton’s Sunny Stories (1937–52) and other magazines she founded and edited over the years[6†].

Her first book, Child Whispers, a 24-page collection of poems, was published in 1922[6†][1†]. Following the commercial success of her early novels, such as Adventures of the Wishing-Chair (1937) and The Enchanted Wood (1939), Blyton went on to build a literary empire, sometimes producing fifty books a year in addition to her prolific magazine and newspaper contributions[6†][1†]. Her writing was unplanned and sprang largely from her unconscious mind; she typed her stories as events unfolded before her[6†][1†]. The sheer volume of her work and the speed with which she produced it led to rumours that Blyton employed an army of ghost writers, a charge she vigorously denied[6†][1†].

Blyton is best remembered today for her Noddy, Famous Five, Secret Seven, the Five Find-Outers, and Malory Towers books[6†][1†]. In the 1950s her Little Noddy series, featuring the adventures of Little Noddy, Mr. Plod the policeman, Big Ears, and other characters of Toyland Village, enjoyed enormous popularity and made her a household name[6†]. Blyton’s books feature clearly delineated good and bad characters and have exciting plots that illustrate traditional moral lessons[6†]. Her vocabulary and prose style are simple and highly accessible to beginning readers[6†].

Despite the criticism she faced for her stereotyped characters and simplistic viewpoint, Blyton’s remarkable popularity with young readers has remained undiminished, and new editions of her books continue to appear[6†]. By the early 21st century, her books had sold some 400 million copies and been translated into at least 90 languages[6†].

First Publication of Her Main Works

Enid Blyton’s first book, “Child Whispers”, a 24-page collection of poems, was published in 1922[1†][6†]. However, she is best known for her adventure and mystery series, which have captivated children worldwide.

• The Famous Five Series: This is perhaps Blyton’s most famous work, featuring the characters Julian, Dick, Anne, George (a girl who prefers to be called by her tomboyish nickname), and their dog, Timmy[1†][7†][8†]. The series, which consists of 21 books, was first published in 1942 and revolves around the exciting adventures and mysteries the children encounter.
• The Secret Seven Series: Another popular series by Blyton, the Secret Seven, is about a group of seven children who form a secret society where they discuss their adventures and mysteries[1†]. The first book in the series was published in 1949.
• The Five Find-Outers Series: Also known as the “Mystery” series, it features five friends who love solving mysteries[1†]. The first book of this series was published in 1943.
• The Noddy Series: Aimed at younger children, the Noddy series is set in Toyland, a place where toys come to life[1†][6†]. Noddy, the main character, is a little wooden boy who lives in his own little House-for-One in Toyland[1†]. The first book of this series was published in 1949.
• The Malory Towers Series: This series is based on the boarding school experiences of a group of girls[1†]. The first book in the series was published in 1946.
• The Adventure Series: This series, consisting of eight books, is about four children, Philip, Jack, Dinah, and Lucy-Ann, along with Jack’s pet parrot, Kiki, who go on various adventures[1†]. The first book of this series was published in 1944.
• The St. Clare’s Series: Another one of Blyton’s boarding school series, St. Clare’s, focuses on the O’Sullivan twins and their adventures at St. Clare’s boarding school[1†]. The first book in the series was published in 1941.
• The Faraway Tree Series: This series, which includes titles like “The Enchanted Wood” and “The Magic Faraway Tree”, takes readers on magical adventures with various interesting characters[1†]. The first book of this series was published in 1939.

Blyton’s work has been translated into 90 languages, and her books continue to be loved by children all over the world[1†][6†]. Her stories, filled with fun, adventure, and mystery, have left a lasting impact on children’s literature[1†][6†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Enid Blyton’s work has been the subject of much debate and fluctuation in critical reputation, particularly beginning in the 1950s[9†]. At the peak of her career in the 1940s and early 1950s, Blyton was widely regarded as an iconic figure, a ‘national institution’ and an expert in all things related to children[9†]. Her books were seen as a passport to happiness for millions of children[9†]. The diversity of Blyton’s work led to comparisons with other renowned authors like Robert Louis Stevenson, Beatrix Potter, Edith Nesbit, and J.M. Barrie[9†].

However, in the years leading up to and following her death in 1968, Blyton was re-cast as a writer of dubious merits and little credibility[9†]. A series of attacks by prominent librarians, educationalists, and journalists in the late 1950s and 1960s helped create a picture of Blyton as a self-important, over-indulged figure who had been given free rein over children’s literature for long enough[9†].

Despite the criticism, Blyton’s work continues to be popular. Her stories, filled with fun, adventure, and mystery, have left a lasting impact on children’s literature[9†][10†]. Her books implicitly shape the minds of young readers and are covertly censored in many ways[9†][10†]. But revising occasional words will usually not shift the values regarded as outdated in the text[9†][10†].

Blyton’s books made for great plays, offering children an alternative to star-studded pantomimes for the first time[9†][10†]. Her work has endured, with amendments, over the generations[9†][11†]. The debates around sexism, racism, Englishness, and middle-class ethos, which are very much part of the Blyton icon, are closely examined[9†][11†].

Personal Life

Enid Blyton was born in East Dulwich, London, to Thomas Carey Blyton, a salesman of cutlery, and Theresa Mary Harrison Blyton[2†]. She had a close relationship with her father, who inspired her towards art and writing and made her a nature lover[2†]. However, her relationship with her mother was turbulent[2†].

On 28 August 1924, Blyton married Major Hugh Alexander Pollock[2†][1†][5†]. After her marriage, she became a full-time writer[2†][5†]. The couple had two daughters, Gillian, born in 1931, and Imogen Mary, born in 1935[2†][5†]. However, her marriage to Pollock did not last, and they divorced in 1942[2†][1†].

Blyton then married surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters in 1943[2†][1†]. She continued her prolific writing career throughout her personal life changes[2†][1†].

Blyton did a lot of work for charity and had a club for children which helped them to give money to charity[2†][8†][12†]. She died of Alzheimer’s disease in Hampstead, London[2†][8†][12†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Enid Blyton’s legacy is one of creativity, imagination, and a deep love of storytelling[13†]. Her contributions to children’s literature cannot be denied, and her books will continue to inspire and delight young readers for generations to come[13†]. She wrote incredible English books for children. Her books were famous and reached many places throughout the world[13†][14†]. Blyton in real life loved her family. Just like her dad, she enjoyed reading, writing, gardening, music, etc[13†][14†].

Despite the controversies and criticisms, her books have been worldwide bestsellers since the 1930s, selling more than 600 million copies[13†][1†]. Her books are still enormously popular and have been translated into ninety languages[13†][1†]. As of June 2019, Blyton held 4th place for the most translated author[13†][1†].

The story of Blyton’s life was dramatised in Enid, a BBC television film featuring Helena Bonham Carter in the title role[13†][1†]. It was first broadcast in the UK on BBC Four in 2009[13†][1†].

Overall, Blyton’s work has held a special place in the imagination of more children than any other author[13†][15†]. She still holds the record for the world’s largest-selling author of children’s books[13†][15†]. This is her legacy which will be cherished and valued always[13†][14†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Enid Mary Blyton, also known as Mary Pollock.[1†]
• Born: Enid Blyton was born on 11 August 1897 in East Dulwich, London, England.[1†]
• Died: She passed away on 28 November 1968 in Hampstead, London, England at the age of 71.[1†]
• Nationality: British.[1†]
• Occupation: Novelist, poet, teacher, and short story writer.[1†]
• Notable Works: Blyton is best remembered today for her Noddy, Famous Five, Secret Seven, the Five Find-Outers, and Malory Towers books2. Her first book, Child Whispers, a 24-page collection of poems, was published in 1922.[1†]
• Notable Achievements: Blyton’s books have been worldwide bestsellers since the 1930s, selling more than 600 million copies2. As of June 2019, Blyton held 4th place for the most translated author.[1†]

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Enid Blyton [website] - link
2. The Famous People - Enid Blyton Biography [website] - link
3. Britannica Kids - Enid Blyton [website] - link
4. Britannica Kids - Enid Blyton [website] - link
5. Local Histories - A Brief Biography of Enid Blyton [website] - link
6. Britannica - Enid Blyton: British author [website] - link
7. Famous Authors - Enid Blyton [website] - link
8. Simple Wikipedia (English) - Enid Blyton [website] - link
9. Springer Link - Blyton and the Critics [website] - link
10. The Conversation - Enid Blyton – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation – page 1 [website] - link
11. Sheffield Hallam University Research Archive - Enid Blyton and the mystery of children's literature. [website] - link
12. IMDb - Enid Blyton - Biography [website] - link
13. RT Book Reviews - Discover the 20 Best Enid Blyton Books - Childhood Stories [website] - link
14. Tutorials Point - Enid Blyton [website] - link
15. ABC Australia - The lasting legacy of Enid Blyton - ABC listen [website] - link