I’ve had a weekend thinking about books since reading about the writing heroes of Wendy at Very Bored in Catalunya. What struck me as interesting about Wendy’s post and the comments it inspired, was how important childhood books were to everyone, far more memorable to us now than the novels we may have read last month.
The first books to make an impression on me were the Miffy series by Dick Bruna. I recall reading about this gorgeous little bunny in my infant school. I must have read them spectacularly well one day as I was sent to the Headmistress who honoured me with three gold stars and, best of all, I could choose a huge, glassy, boiled sweet she kept in a large jar on her desk. I still remember my little fingers wiggling in the jar to find a red one. I do wonder now at the wisdom of offering five year olds cavity-inducing choking hazards full of e-numbers.
Next on my list is Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White, about the little pig, Wilbur, and his talented friend, the spider, Charlotte. My parents were surprised I enjoyed this book as I was never an animal-lover and always shrieked when I saw a spider. I remember coming down the stairs into the kitchen where my mum and dad were sitting, trying to tell them through big gulping sobs that Charlotte had died (oops sorry, spoiler!). I’d like to be able to tell you that my arachnophobia was cured and from then on I was able to scoop up the little creatures. No, still can’t stand the buggers.
I soaked up the Malory Towers books by Enid Blyton, enraptured by the delights of midnight feasts in the dorm and curious about the dashing names of the girls: Darrell and Alicia seemed a world away from Julie and Nicola which were common names in my school at the time.
Exams came along and thankfully the challenge of getting into the heart of a novel, dissecting it and finding quotes to drop into essays didn’t spoil literature for me. On the contrary it helped me understand it more and certain books are now etched on my brain and heart. Shakespeare’s King Lear, DH Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, are all instantly familiar to me now, though Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Agent always left me cold.
Authors who have inspired me as an adult? EM Forster, Anita Shreve, Joanne Harris, Mary Wesley, Christopher Brookmyre, Yann Martel (Life of Pi) are a few that spring to mind.
However my love of travel writing must surely stem from an appreciation of the talents of Bill Bryson and particularly his book, Neither Here Nor There. I adore his self-deprecating style, mooching around Europe finding delight in the people and situations around him. No stuffy eulogies about churches and museums; just quirky observations of his fellow travellers and the indigenous population of the countries he shuffles through, despairing at town councils, architects and planners along the way.
When we are on holiday and sight-seeing or just generally ambling about, I think to myself, “What would Bill say about this?” and that usually keeps me on the right track.
Which authors have left their mark on you? Any particular childhood favourites?
Enid Blyton, I wonder if 10 and 11 year old girls read Enid Blyton today? They were terribly old fashioned when I read them.
I love Bill Bryson, although I haven't got round to reading his A Short History of Nearly Everything, one day…
Thanks for the link back. x
I must admit I read The Mallory Towers book and owned a full set of The Famous Five. And yes I thoroughly enjoyed them at the time. Not sure they'd repay rereading now though!
You've struck a chord with me. As a child books were my escape route. I adored Enid Blyton particularly The famous five and The far away tree. I cried over Heidi (first book to make me cry!) and devoured The Hobbit and Lord of the rings. I came to Winnie the Pooh and the wind in the willows as an adult and yet still found them charming. I'm quite eclectic in my tastes and am all too often suckered in by a tempting book cover only to bin the book after the first chapter!
I remember devouring the Swallows and Amazon series plus a whole load of girls school stories my mother had read. I also loved The Little Wooden Horse (so brave) and read versions of myths and legends from around the world including the ones by Henry Treece.
Very Bored – I prefer his travel stuff. I really did try his Short History of Nearly Everything but gave up pretty quickly.
Steve – I think you're right. I tried my son with Famous Five books years ago and he found them pretty turgid!
Fiona – I used to have a very old copy of AA Milne's poems and loved them as a child. You've made me wonder where it is now – will have to go and hunt.
I too am often lured in by an appealing front cover and an over-effusive back one!
Sarah – Wonder what it is about girls' school stories? I used to dream of taking the steam train to school, having a big trunk and a wicker basket full of treats!
I share many of your childhood favourites – Charlotte's Web, Mallory Towers, and yes Miffy too. Now, I am a huge fan of Bill Bryson's – particularly after moving to the States. My favourite contemporary authors would have to include Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Coe, Amanda Craig and Rose Tremain. But yes, I agree, books read in childhood somehow make a much huger impression.
I loved Miffy too – it was my nickname at school – and am enjoying reading them to my 3 year old. I'd like to go to the Miffy museum.
I devoured the Malory Towers series (Darrell was an inspiration) but on the whole Enid Blyton left me cold. I was more a Noel Streatfield girl – Ballet Shoes, Thursday's Child etc.
Authors I like now are far too many to list – my current faves are Ali Smith and Maggie O'Farrell but it changes all the time.
Sounds like we did the same syllabus – Lear and The Secret Agent were on mine too. Never liked the Secret Agent.
nappy valley girl – good to know we share some favourite childhood books. Your list of contemporary authors I am now scribbling down – good to get an idea of what else to try. I'm sure I read a Rose Tremain but can't remember what it was.
Alison – Miffy UK is now following me on Twitter and re-tweeted my blog link! You should tell them you are also a Miffy – did you have triangular dresses?
I read a Maggie O'Farrell one – can't remember the title but it had a blue cover and was excellent (so excellent I've forgotten!).
Yes, loved Lear but wasn't The Secret Agent a bore?
DH Lawrence's Sons and Lovers drove me to distraction in exams..hated it and he drives me nuts…never gets to the point. Mallory towers I loved and insisted on reading it to my daughter long before she was old enough, probably frightened her into thinking I was preparing her to be a boarder!
I know quite a few kids into Enid Blyton – but I'll confess I don't get it. Never did. Used to give my mum a right look if she ever suggested one. Yay to Heidi and What Katy Did tho'. Don't seem to join in current authors conversations………..mmmmmnnn must be a reason for this…… Ah yes – takes me 3 years to read a whole book these days – and have the memory of a um swimmy thing…… what were we talking about?
I lived in The Netherlands for a year when I was 4 and just learning to read so I read them in the original Dutch. I didn't even know they were available in English until I had my own children. I just adore Miffy. For me my childhood books were anything with a pony in them. Josephine and Christine Pullein Thompson were particular favourites but the lack of equine interest in Enid Blyton meant I didn't read them, nor Mallory Towers or What Katy Did.
I loved Swallows and Amazons though. Now I love any writer who's story engages me. I've just finished Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay which was brilliant and a part of French history that I knew nothing about.
yes, yes, yes, i love Bill Bryson, what a what a fantastic writer! Did you read thunderbolt kid? Would recommend it.
I loved Enid Blyton books when i was a kid, i loved the famous five, but I'm not sure I'd want my children to read it – it's so full of racism and upper class supremacy.
Kelloggsville – Did you not read Lady Chatterley's Lover – my first foray into reading about sex: I didn't mind if he wandered off the plot!
Madame SG – I have to say it was only the Malory Towers series I enjoyed; never got into Famous Five. Although I think I remember some stories about Naughty Amelia Jane?
Wylye Girl – Sarah's Key sounds interesting. After we returned from Berlin I read "Alone in Berlin" by Hans Fallada – fascinating. I often try to find a novel based on a place we've just visited or plan to go to, to get a bit of the vibe or history.
Heather – yes I have read Thunderbolt Kid – his autobiography of his childhood. Loved it, so full of warmth, humour and fabulous description of his home town.
I think you're right about some of the Enid Blyton books. I tried my son on the Famous Five books but he couldn't connect with the stories or children at all!
Oooh… Malory Towers!! I only had two – in French at the time – and ADORED them. I wanted to go to boarding school after reading them… 😉
I too used to read a lot of Enid Blyton's books as a child. Yes, it is true that the books have some stereotypes of race, sex and class. However, if one reads the books closely, one finds that Enid Blyton tries to break down several of these barriers, first in the form of, for instance, George (Georgina), in The Famous Five series. The Famous Five are not your archetypical stiff upper lip. For instance, in Five Have A Wonderful time, Julian and Dick fetch water and stack up firewood for Anne, yet in Five Go To Billycock Hill, the boys carry everything for Anne to put in her "larder." In Five On Finniston Farm, Julian and Dick volunteer to construct a hen/chicken house. Their carpentary skills appear to be very exemplary, for not many kids, including those in the "developing world," currently know and display such skills. I discuss all these aspects in my book on Enid Blyton, titled, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage (www.sbisabirye.blogspot.com).
Stephen Isabirye
Funky W – I think a whole generation of girls must have yearned to go to boarding school after reading them!
Eni (Stephen) – Thanks so much for adding your thoughts on this and joining in the debate. Enid Blyton seems to have been an important author for many of us and certainly we all seem to have our favourites. I was discussing it with my husband this morning and discovered he was a Famous Five fan….and I never knew! He's awfully good at chopping wood for me too: I must have Julian and Dick to thank for that.
Many thanks again. I'm off now to google your book.