Five Go Adventuring Again

The 2nd book in Blyton's "Famous five' series is one of my favorites. Set in the late 1940's the series tells the tales of 4 cousins and their dog who, in a world before video games and cell phones get involved with such goings on as smugglers and burried treasures and secret passages. This adventure is set in the winter holidays after the children's first adventure when they are straddled with a tutor for the holidays because of poor grades. Most of the children take to the tutor quite well, but since he does not like dogs, George, don't call her Georgina, does not like the tutor. At first this just makes things difficult but as the situation deteriorates with secret paper's being stolen and people acting in peculiar ways, the children have to wonder, is George right in her suspicions or is it just her dislike for the tutor getting in the way of finding the real spies? Add to this an ancient piece of parchment that details some secret passage and a blizzard that leave isolated farm houses cut off and the stage is set for adventure.

This was one of my favorites books in a serries that was a hall mark of my childhood. The children in Blyton's books have adventures that include burried treasure and secret rooms. They are gripping with nary a hint of magic wands or video games. In our world of internet and cell phones some of their problems will seem no challenge to modern children, but for those who can see these in the world in which they were set, they are wonderous. In this adventure the children are forced to fend for themselves as their aunt is suddenly taken ill and forced to hospital, leaving them under the thumb of a venomus servant who has other plans herself.

"Five Run Away Together" was my favorite in Enid Blyton's "Famous Five" series, which I first read in the 1950s. How I envied George, Julian, Dick and Anne for their adventures! They were always pretty much adult-free, with lots of delicious meals and, best of all, Timmy the Dog. Julian sometimes got off a smart remark at an adult, and George wore boy's clothes. I'm pretty sure the thrill-factor of all these things would be lost on today's kids, unfortunately. What won't be lost on them is the singular excitement of running away to George's very own island, the mysterious wreck which has been cast up on the rocks at Kirrin Island, the secret cave where the children hide and set up housekeeping, and the way they (yet again) outsmart the Bad Guys. Highly recommended.

Another great Famous Five Thriller. What often puzzled and still puzzles me is the appetitie these kids have. It borders on gluttony (yet they do not appear to put on weight), for when they "escape" to Kirrin Island, I am fearful that their boat will capsize in light of the amount of food they bring on board. Again Blyton displays her ability to build up a very interesting climax where "goodness" triumphs over "evil" in the end.

THIS STORY IS EXCITING,AS WELL AS FUN!ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT AS EXCITING AS ONE OF THE STORY "FIVE FALL INTO ADVENTURE"I THINK THIS IS THE BEST ONE YET!