The first of ‘The Famous Five’ series, Five on a Treasure Island, was published in 1942. During this period many children were being sent from London to the country to protect them from the Blitz. However, Blyton makes no reference to this specific historical context and her stories only make vague allusions to the war. Julian, Dick and Anne are sent to Kirrin Bay to stay with their cousin Georgina, a girl who insists on being called ‘George’. They are sent there, not to escape the war, but to give their parents an opportunity to holiday in Scotland on their own. Blyton offers a fantasised adventure based in an imagined ‘real’ world. The ruined castle in the novel is based upon Corfe Castle, but Kirrin Island upon which Blyton places it, is entirely fictitious.

These days it has become de rigueur to dismiss the books with accusations of racism, sexism and worrying nationalistic ideology. Naturally, this detracts from the glow that remains from our enjoyment of them all those years ago as children. The degree of freedom and independence enjoyed by the children in Blyton's stories was enviable to us, and these days might even pass as a positive role model in an era of inside play.

This Special Reading Project is dedicated to a reading of the series in order. We will provide a basic overview of each book and write a series of mini-essays on topics related to the books. Our mini-essays will try to give a balanced assessment of some of the criticisms. We'll also map out the world of ‘The Famous Five’ as best as we can, and try to answer a question that has been bothering us: just how old would the children be as the stories progress, in reality?

‘The Famous Five’ series continued to be published for two decades, averaging one published book per year. The last book, Five are Together Again, was published in 1963, taking the series tally to twenty one.

The first of ‘The Famous Five’ series, Five on a Treasure Island, was published in 1942. During this period many children were being sent from London to the country to protect them from the Blitz. However, Blyton makes no reference to this specific historical context and her stories only make vague allusions to the war. Julian, Dick and Anne are sent to Kirrin Bay to stay with their cousin Georgina, a girl who insists on being called ‘George’. They are sent there, not to escape the war, but to give their parents an opportunity to holiday in Scotland on their own. Blyton offers a fantasised adventure based in an imagined ‘real’ world. The ruined castle in the novel is based upon Corfe Castle, but Kirrin Island upon which Blyton places it, is entirely fictitious.

These days it has become de rigueur to dismiss the books with accusations of racism, sexism and worrying nationalistic ideology. Naturally, this detracts from the glow that remains from our enjoyment of them all those years ago as children. The degree of freedom and independence enjoyed by the children in Blyton's stories was enviable to us, and these days might even pass as a positive role model in an era of inside play.

This Special Reading Project is dedicated to a reading of the series in order. We will provide a basic overview of each book and write a series of mini-essays on topics related to the books. Our mini-essays will try to give a balanced assessment of some of the criticisms. We'll also map out the world of ‘The Famous Five’ as best as we can, and try to answer a question that has been bothering us: just how old would the children be as the stories progress, in reality?

‘The Famous Five’ series continued to be published for two decades, averaging one published book per year. The last book, Five are Together Again, was published in 1963, taking the series tally to twenty one.