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Adventure #7
The Circus of Adventure
Why on earth did Bill have to bring the wimpish Gustavus with them on holiday? Neither Jack nor Kiki the parrot like the boy at all. But when Gustavus is kidnapped, along with Philip, Dinah, and Lucy-Ann, Jack must bravely follow them to a faraway country and unravel a plot to kill the king.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
65 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
Enid Blyton
5,132 books6,299 followersSee also:
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
October 22, 2022
Again, not the edition I'm reading.
An enjoyable adventure. There are some very colourful characters and a meeting with circus folk, which I thought could have had more to it.
We have a castle once again so I was happy. Gussy provided some great entertainment. I love how Bill turns up at exactly the right time and in different disguises at times.
An enjoyable adventure. There are some very colourful characters and a meeting with circus folk, which I thought could have had more to it.
We have a castle once again so I was happy. Gussy provided some great entertainment. I love how Bill turns up at exactly the right time and in different disguises at times.
November 29, 2016
My kids enjoyed this. The parrot Kiki made them laugh and the dramatic improbable plot kept them engaged. Surprisingly not really about a circus at all - the circus only pops up towards the end.
September 4, 2021
3.5 / 5 stars (no spoilers)
I wanted to leave this book in the middle many times because I got bored in the middle of the book- the story is good but maybe the telling didn't intrigue me much. But anyways I completed it in time because I got this on rent so I had to complete it. For a kid, there are too many difficult words and sentences/ phrases to understand. As an Indian, it was difficult to understand the cultural phrases but googling them helped. This is is definitely not for a beginner level reader of any age. Slow paced throughout but fast paced in the end.
I wanted to leave this book in the middle many times because I got bored in the middle of the book- the story is good but maybe the telling didn't intrigue me much. But anyways I completed it in time because I got this on rent so I had to complete it. For a kid, there are too many difficult words and sentences/ phrases to understand. As an Indian, it was difficult to understand the cultural phrases but googling them helped. This is is definitely not for a beginner level reader of any age. Slow paced throughout but fast paced in the end.
March 21, 2010
Enid Blyton is an amazing childrens author, bestselling in the world. Although almost undiscovered by Americans.
This series (The Adventure Series is 8 books long) Features 4 friends who fall into adventures with counterfeiters, gunrunners, treasure hunters and the like. Jack, Philip, Diana, and Lucy-Anne and their crazy talking parrot, KIKI, are a lot of fun to follow through their adventures... This series is top notch reading... introduce your children to Enid Blyton today!
This series (The Adventure Series is 8 books long) Features 4 friends who fall into adventures with counterfeiters, gunrunners, treasure hunters and the like. Jack, Philip, Diana, and Lucy-Anne and their crazy talking parrot, KIKI, are a lot of fun to follow through their adventures... This series is top notch reading... introduce your children to Enid Blyton today!
September 10, 2025
As a child, I hated this one so much that I only read it once. Coming back to it as an adult, I finally remember why.
The circus setting could have been fun, but instead, we’re taken to a made-up country where everyone speaks in a made-up language that (I guess) is meant to be funny but is just silly. Every time a character spoke I found myself wincing instead of laughing. It’s like Blyton couldn’t be bothered to research a real place, so she just banged her typewriter until words came out.
I thought I might enjoy rediscovering it, but no – turns out my younger self had the right instinct: once was enough!
The circus setting could have been fun, but instead, we’re taken to a made-up country where everyone speaks in a made-up language that (I guess) is meant to be funny but is just silly. Every time a character spoke I found myself wincing instead of laughing. It’s like Blyton couldn’t be bothered to research a real place, so she just banged her typewriter until words came out.
I thought I might enjoy rediscovering it, but no – turns out my younger self had the right instinct: once was enough!
August 24, 2012
As always with Enid Blyton's books, this was a great story! I love the characters, especially Phillip and his ability to tame all creatures. The story was great, not every really lulling at all, but keeping the pace fast and interesting. I find it kinda funny though that they call people donkeys and the other name for such creatures interchangably!
all in all this was a really great book, fun and fast while still taking time to describe their awesome meals and snacks! Here's to Enid Blyton!
all in all this was a really great book, fun and fast while still taking time to describe their awesome meals and snacks! Here's to Enid Blyton!
May 8, 2022
Definitely not the best in the series. The children display typical Blyton bullying characteristics in this one, completely lacking in empathy and failing to put themselves in the shoes of strangers, judging people without knowing anything about them and trying to make them conform to their own ideals. The parents weren't much better. I found all the main characters quite obnoxious at times in this particular book.
January 5, 2022
Firstly it loses a star for how nasty and bullying the children are to Gus. Yes Gus is spoilt and annoying but this doesn't justify their behaviour.
The circus appears about half way through and isn't really part of the main plot. The plot is improbable but entertaining.
The circus appears about half way through and isn't really part of the main plot. The plot is improbable but entertaining.
April 11, 2022
This was a fun vintage children's adventure that I'll hold onto for my kids to read someday. I liked the silly Kiki the parrot.
May 4, 2022
Loved every part of this story! One is never too old for an Enid Blyton!
December 25, 2014
Judul : Petualangan di Sirkus Asing
Pengarang : Enyd Blyton
Penerjemah : Agus Setiadi
Cetakan : Ketiga, 2011
Penerbit : Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Enid Blyton adalah seorang pengarang buku petualangan anak-anak yang memahami indahnya petualangan dan serunya kehidupan di masa kanak-kanak. Melalui kepiawaiannya dalam menulis cerita, pengarang Inggris satu ini mampu menangkap dengan sangat cekatan kisah-kisah seperti apa yang ingin dibaca (dan diimpikan) oleh banyak anak-anak. Tidak heran kalau kemudian karya-karyanya begitu dicintai para pembaca yang pernah membacanya saat masih kecil atau remaja dulu, bahkan banyak orang dewasa yang membacanya ulang (maupun baru membacanya saat dewasa) hanya untuk sekadar bernostagia kembali mengenang masa kecilnya yang indah. Saya sangat berharap, akan lebih banyak anak-anak yang membaca seri petualangan Lima Sekawan atau seri Petualangan karangan Enyd Blyton ini sehingga masa kecilnya sempat tersentuh oleh serunya petualangan yang sangat menyenangkan.
Petualangan di Sirkus Asing adalah buku ketujuh dari seri Petualangan karya Enyd Blyton. Saya dulu membaca versi Inggrisnya (terbitan tahun 1960-an) dengan kertas yang sudah lapuk dan menguning. Tapi, kala itu, petualangan Jack, Lucy Ann, Phillip, Dinah, dan Kiki begitu menariknya sehingga saya sama sekali tidak keberatan dengan kondisi kertas yang jadul, yang penting bahasa Inggrisnya enak dibaca. Saya ingat membaca seri ini melompat-lompat karena sangat susah mencari buku-buku tua ini di perpustakaan kampus UNY. Ketika akhirnya saya berkesempatan menemukan buku ini dalam bahasa Indonesia dalam sebuah event pameran buku, maka tanpa pikir panjang langsung saya sambar. Kelebatan memori saat dulu saya membaca novel ini langsung membanjiri pikiran. Betapa dulu, saya sempat begitu terpesona pada sebuah buku, dan buku ini adalah salah satunya.
Petualangan di Sirkus Asing bisa dibilang sebuah judul yang membohongi pembaca. Kenapa begitu, karena peran sirkus di sini hanya seperti “numpangg lewat” saja. Sejatinya, petualangan Jack dan kawan-kawan jauh lebih seru ketimbang hanya di sirkus. Petualangan kali ini melibatkan seorang pengeran yang diculik, persekongkolan politik di sebuah negeri asing, serta petualangan menjelajahi lorong-lorong rahasia di sebuah puri kuno yang jauh dari Inggris. Bill (dari buku sebelumnya pembaca tahu bahwa dia lalu menikah dengan Ibu Cunningham) mendapat tugas untuk mengawasi Guss, seorang anak laki-laki gondrong yang sangat menyebalkan, cenggeng, sekaligus suka menyuruh-nyuruh. Tidak ada yang tahu siapa sebenarnya anak itu, yang jelas anak-anak tidak suka dengan keberadaannya yang dirasa telah mengganggu liburan mereka.
Tapi, siapa sangka keberadaan Guss malah menyeret anak-anak dalam sebuah petualangan baru yang benar-benar berbeda. Malam ketika mereka menginap di Pondok Batu, segerombolan orang asing diam-diam datang dan menyekap Bill dan Ibu Cunningham, lalu meringkus dan menculik anak-anak. Hanya Jack yang selamat karena waktu itu dia tengah menyelinap ke luar untuk mengamati satwa liar. Melihat kawan-kawannya ditangkap, Jack bersama Kiki pun mengikuti komplotan penculik itu hingga akhirnya mereka tiba di sebuah negeri asing bernama Tauri Hessia. Tanpa sadar, anak-anak telah terlibat dalam suatu konflik politis di negara lain yang sangat berbahaya.
Sendirian dan hanya bersama Kiki di negara asing, Jack harus memutar otak demi menyelamatkan teman-temannya. Untunglah ada Kiki, burung kakatua yang pandai menirukan suara apapun. Kiki ibarat tiket emas yang bisa digunakan Jack untuk menyelamatkan kawan-kawannya. Dengan kepandaian Kiki, Jack berhasil bergabung dengan sebuah sirkus keliling yang hendak menuju Borden, lokasi tempat Phillip dan kawan-kawan ditangkap. Petualangan Jack dan Kiki di buku ini adalah yang paling seru. Tidak seperti di buku-buku sebelumnya, Jack ibarat pahlawan di buku ini karena dia harus bergerak sendirian, meskipun kemudian takdir dan juga Kiki membuatnya memiliki teman-teman baru di sirkus yang kelak akan banyak memberikan bantuan kepadanya. Berhasilkan Jack menyelamatkan teman-temannya dan Guss? Mari bernostalgia membaca lagi kisah-kisah petualangan karangan Enyd Blyton ini.
Membaca buku ini, pembaca akan diajak bernostalgia ke tahun 1990-an, masa-masa ketika petualangan anak-anak benar-benar bersifat fisik. Main ke sawah, berkemah di depan rumah sambil berpura-pura tengah berpetualangan ala Lima Sekawan, bermain petak umpet, memasuki rumah yang baru dibangun sambil menganggapnya sebuah puri kosong, hingga jalan-jalan ke kebun (yah anggap saja hutan). Kala itu, belum ada media sosial yang mengambil alih sebagain besar porsi kehidupan anak-anak sehingga rata-rata kita bisa tumbuh sebagai orang-orang imajinatis seperi sekarang #eaaa. Untuk terjemahannya, kerasa banget kalau buku ini diterjemahkan oleh Pak Agus Setiadi yang fenomenal itu. Beliau menggunakan teknik pemadanan budaya sehingga banyak muncul kata-kata jadul di buku ini, seperti pondok tetirah dan juga selada (untuk mengartikan salads). Tapi, hal itu malah menjadikan novel ini semakin terasa aroma 90-annya.
Pengarang : Enyd Blyton
Penerjemah : Agus Setiadi
Cetakan : Ketiga, 2011
Penerbit : Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Enid Blyton adalah seorang pengarang buku petualangan anak-anak yang memahami indahnya petualangan dan serunya kehidupan di masa kanak-kanak. Melalui kepiawaiannya dalam menulis cerita, pengarang Inggris satu ini mampu menangkap dengan sangat cekatan kisah-kisah seperti apa yang ingin dibaca (dan diimpikan) oleh banyak anak-anak. Tidak heran kalau kemudian karya-karyanya begitu dicintai para pembaca yang pernah membacanya saat masih kecil atau remaja dulu, bahkan banyak orang dewasa yang membacanya ulang (maupun baru membacanya saat dewasa) hanya untuk sekadar bernostagia kembali mengenang masa kecilnya yang indah. Saya sangat berharap, akan lebih banyak anak-anak yang membaca seri petualangan Lima Sekawan atau seri Petualangan karangan Enyd Blyton ini sehingga masa kecilnya sempat tersentuh oleh serunya petualangan yang sangat menyenangkan.
Petualangan di Sirkus Asing adalah buku ketujuh dari seri Petualangan karya Enyd Blyton. Saya dulu membaca versi Inggrisnya (terbitan tahun 1960-an) dengan kertas yang sudah lapuk dan menguning. Tapi, kala itu, petualangan Jack, Lucy Ann, Phillip, Dinah, dan Kiki begitu menariknya sehingga saya sama sekali tidak keberatan dengan kondisi kertas yang jadul, yang penting bahasa Inggrisnya enak dibaca. Saya ingat membaca seri ini melompat-lompat karena sangat susah mencari buku-buku tua ini di perpustakaan kampus UNY. Ketika akhirnya saya berkesempatan menemukan buku ini dalam bahasa Indonesia dalam sebuah event pameran buku, maka tanpa pikir panjang langsung saya sambar. Kelebatan memori saat dulu saya membaca novel ini langsung membanjiri pikiran. Betapa dulu, saya sempat begitu terpesona pada sebuah buku, dan buku ini adalah salah satunya.
Petualangan di Sirkus Asing bisa dibilang sebuah judul yang membohongi pembaca. Kenapa begitu, karena peran sirkus di sini hanya seperti “numpangg lewat” saja. Sejatinya, petualangan Jack dan kawan-kawan jauh lebih seru ketimbang hanya di sirkus. Petualangan kali ini melibatkan seorang pengeran yang diculik, persekongkolan politik di sebuah negeri asing, serta petualangan menjelajahi lorong-lorong rahasia di sebuah puri kuno yang jauh dari Inggris. Bill (dari buku sebelumnya pembaca tahu bahwa dia lalu menikah dengan Ibu Cunningham) mendapat tugas untuk mengawasi Guss, seorang anak laki-laki gondrong yang sangat menyebalkan, cenggeng, sekaligus suka menyuruh-nyuruh. Tidak ada yang tahu siapa sebenarnya anak itu, yang jelas anak-anak tidak suka dengan keberadaannya yang dirasa telah mengganggu liburan mereka.
Tapi, siapa sangka keberadaan Guss malah menyeret anak-anak dalam sebuah petualangan baru yang benar-benar berbeda. Malam ketika mereka menginap di Pondok Batu, segerombolan orang asing diam-diam datang dan menyekap Bill dan Ibu Cunningham, lalu meringkus dan menculik anak-anak. Hanya Jack yang selamat karena waktu itu dia tengah menyelinap ke luar untuk mengamati satwa liar. Melihat kawan-kawannya ditangkap, Jack bersama Kiki pun mengikuti komplotan penculik itu hingga akhirnya mereka tiba di sebuah negeri asing bernama Tauri Hessia. Tanpa sadar, anak-anak telah terlibat dalam suatu konflik politis di negara lain yang sangat berbahaya.
Sendirian dan hanya bersama Kiki di negara asing, Jack harus memutar otak demi menyelamatkan teman-temannya. Untunglah ada Kiki, burung kakatua yang pandai menirukan suara apapun. Kiki ibarat tiket emas yang bisa digunakan Jack untuk menyelamatkan kawan-kawannya. Dengan kepandaian Kiki, Jack berhasil bergabung dengan sebuah sirkus keliling yang hendak menuju Borden, lokasi tempat Phillip dan kawan-kawan ditangkap. Petualangan Jack dan Kiki di buku ini adalah yang paling seru. Tidak seperti di buku-buku sebelumnya, Jack ibarat pahlawan di buku ini karena dia harus bergerak sendirian, meskipun kemudian takdir dan juga Kiki membuatnya memiliki teman-teman baru di sirkus yang kelak akan banyak memberikan bantuan kepadanya. Berhasilkan Jack menyelamatkan teman-temannya dan Guss? Mari bernostalgia membaca lagi kisah-kisah petualangan karangan Enyd Blyton ini.
Membaca buku ini, pembaca akan diajak bernostalgia ke tahun 1990-an, masa-masa ketika petualangan anak-anak benar-benar bersifat fisik. Main ke sawah, berkemah di depan rumah sambil berpura-pura tengah berpetualangan ala Lima Sekawan, bermain petak umpet, memasuki rumah yang baru dibangun sambil menganggapnya sebuah puri kosong, hingga jalan-jalan ke kebun (yah anggap saja hutan). Kala itu, belum ada media sosial yang mengambil alih sebagain besar porsi kehidupan anak-anak sehingga rata-rata kita bisa tumbuh sebagai orang-orang imajinatis seperi sekarang #eaaa. Untuk terjemahannya, kerasa banget kalau buku ini diterjemahkan oleh Pak Agus Setiadi yang fenomenal itu. Beliau menggunakan teknik pemadanan budaya sehingga banyak muncul kata-kata jadul di buku ini, seperti pondok tetirah dan juga selada (untuk mengartikan salads). Tapi, hal itu malah menjadikan novel ini semakin terasa aroma 90-annya.
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June 3, 2020Probably read sometime between 2001-2005
September 18, 2020
Књига је одлична. Препоручујем је свима који воле забаву и авантуру.
August 31, 2022
Story rating: 9/10 Christian Faith Rating: 0/3 clean
March 27, 2024
As much as I love animals and thus author I just didn’t enjoy the book, I expected it to be similar to five go off in a caravan but it wasn’t but still read it because Kiki is the star of the series
December 1, 2020
That cover! So much nostalgia oh my word.
February 22, 2018
Dari 8 buku dalam seri Petualangan, saya paling suka sama novel yang ini. Lebih seru, bikin semuanya masih melekat dalam kepala saya deh.
August 31, 2022
Fun mystery I love the first part it had amazing scenery it’s like I was there the Scrumptious Meals the second half was amazing too it was an amazing book would read again
March 27, 2018
Another fine entry in the series, this adventure is rather original in Enid Blyton's work because it belongs to the genre called Ruritanian romance (in reference to the Ruritania of the novel The Prisoner of Zenda), It is a very good adventure too, with memorable scenes like Jack following the kidnappers and stowing away in their plane, the daring rescue of the other children from the castle...
There were two things, however, that prevent me from placing it among my favorite in the series. The first one is that the trope of a wimpy boy (prince Gustavus, or Gussy, in this case) joining our heroes and being teased features prominently here. It is a trope that appears in several of Enid Blyton's books and I never enjoy it. Sure, Gussy is so wimpish and spoiled that it can be exasperating, but the other children always come across as a bit mean in these cases. Gussy's antics are supposed to be funny, but this element of the story doesn't quite work for me. I would have preferred him to be more like Richard in Five Get into Trouble, spoiled but not necessarily a coward. It's just too much.
The other thing is that this never quite become a group adventure. Jack is the main hero of the book, and most of the time he is separated from the others, alone in a foreign country. Philip also has his big heroic moment with the bears. Then, for the resolution we have Bill and Jack working together, while the other children remain at the circus camp. This is not necessarily a problem, because it's an interesting change having one of the children in a situation where he must act and make decisions on his own, but I did miss having the group work together.
I was amused because being undercover in a foreign country with Kiki is rather difficult, and there was a particularly implausible moment when Jack tells his parrot that she should make noises but not speak any English words, and Kiki understands him perfectly!
So, all in all, this is a gripping Blyton adventure. For other of her books books i have said that I did not mind that the adventure was light because the pre-adventure part was very enjoyable. In this case, the adventure was the best part.
There were two things, however, that prevent me from placing it among my favorite in the series. The first one is that the trope of a wimpy boy (prince Gustavus, or Gussy, in this case) joining our heroes and being teased features prominently here. It is a trope that appears in several of Enid Blyton's books and I never enjoy it. Sure, Gussy is so wimpish and spoiled that it can be exasperating, but the other children always come across as a bit mean in these cases. Gussy's antics are supposed to be funny, but this element of the story doesn't quite work for me. I would have preferred him to be more like Richard in Five Get into Trouble, spoiled but not necessarily a coward. It's just too much.
The other thing is that this never quite become a group adventure. Jack is the main hero of the book, and most of the time he is separated from the others, alone in a foreign country. Philip also has his big heroic moment with the bears. Then, for the resolution we have Bill and Jack working together, while the other children remain at the circus camp. This is not necessarily a problem, because it's an interesting change having one of the children in a situation where he must act and make decisions on his own, but I did miss having the group work together.
I was amused because being undercover in a foreign country with Kiki is rather difficult, and there was a particularly implausible moment when Jack tells his parrot that she should make noises but not speak any English words, and Kiki understands him perfectly!
So, all in all, this is a gripping Blyton adventure. For other of her books books i have said that I did not mind that the adventure was light because the pre-adventure part was very enjoyable. In this case, the adventure was the best part.
July 24, 2014
In terms of the adventure, the setting and the atmosphere, this book is back up to the extremely high standard of the first three entries in the series. It takes quite a long time to get to the point (the titular circus appears about halfway through the story) but this is perfectly justified as there is quite a lot of setting up and explaining to do before the exciting pay-off can be reached.
Fans of Jack will enjoy this one as it really is his story; he gets himself dumped in a foreign country and joins a travelling circus with the specific intention of saving his kidnapped family, which certainly puts a new spin on things. Jack's experiences with the circus (and the associated night-time reconnaissance and rescue attempts) are wonderful to read, and represent some of the best parts of this series (and, indeed, of Enid Blyton's entire catalogue) for me.
Fans of Philip, Dinah and Lucy-Ann needn't be put off, though - the other characters do start to get a look-in later in the story, particularly Philip as he attempts to tame the disgruntled circus bears. Fans of Bill, however, will not enjoy the extreme gullibility he demonstrates when the bad guys are about to spring their trap at the end of the first half of the book.
It is impossible not to notice evidence of Enid Blyton's extreme xenophobia in this book, as the examples are multiple and stark, but these should be accepted for what they are (remnants of prejudicial attitudes that almost nobody would approve of today, very much like Blyton's attitude to gender) and then set aside so that they are not allowed to spoil an otherwise excellent children's adventure story.
Fans of Jack will enjoy this one as it really is his story; he gets himself dumped in a foreign country and joins a travelling circus with the specific intention of saving his kidnapped family, which certainly puts a new spin on things. Jack's experiences with the circus (and the associated night-time reconnaissance and rescue attempts) are wonderful to read, and represent some of the best parts of this series (and, indeed, of Enid Blyton's entire catalogue) for me.
Fans of Philip, Dinah and Lucy-Ann needn't be put off, though - the other characters do start to get a look-in later in the story, particularly Philip as he attempts to tame the disgruntled circus bears. Fans of Bill, however, will not enjoy the extreme gullibility he demonstrates when the bad guys are about to spring their trap at the end of the first half of the book.
It is impossible not to notice evidence of Enid Blyton's extreme xenophobia in this book, as the examples are multiple and stark, but these should be accepted for what they are (remnants of prejudicial attitudes that almost nobody would approve of today, very much like Blyton's attitude to gender) and then set aside so that they are not allowed to spoil an otherwise excellent children's adventure story.
October 13, 2015
so awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeawesom eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeawesiomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
January 22, 2018
I've read almost all the Enid Blytons books: the famous five, the five find-outers, the secret seven, you name it, but IMO this is her best. This is the book I read so many times as a kid the binding is falling apart. Enid Blyton really pulled out the big guns with this one, it has everything a kid with an overactive imagination could want in an adventure book: international intrigue, kidnapping, spies, a circus, disguises, and of course, everyone's favorite parrot Kiki.
March 2, 2017
My sister read this to me when I was young and I really enjoyed reading it for myself all these years later. Will give to my grandchildren.
July 22, 2021
Fussy-Gussy.
July 8, 2021
Akhirnya dapat juga buku seri petualangan Enid Blyton yang berjudul “Sirkus Asing”. Eh kemudian di tengah cerita aku merasa dejavu. Rupanya aku sudah pernah membacanya. Entah kapan. Ceritanya menarik, dengan tokoh utama kali ini adalah Jack dan Kiki si Kakaktua. Dan lagi-lagi Bill di sini tak berdaya.
Cerita bermula dari empat remaja yang libur sekolah. Selama ini mereka tinggal di asraka sehingga mereka gembira bila pulang ke rumah. Mereka adalah Jack dan adiknya, Lucy juga Philip dan adiknya Dinah. Jack dan Lucy-Ann yang yatim piatu diangkat anak oleh ibu Philip sehingga kini mereka menjadi keluarga. Ibu Philip lalu menikah dengan Bill, seorang polisi dan agen rahasia yang akrab dengan anak-anak.
Suatu ketika Bill mengajak mereka berlibur ke sebuah desa. Namun, anak-anak agak kecewa karena ia membawa seorang anak. Anak itu dari negeri asing. Rambutnya panjang dan ia nampak malas, angkuh, dan pemberang. Gustavus alias Gussy, namanya.
Anak-anak suka kesal dengannya. Tapi ketika kemudian Bill memarahinya, Gussy pun bersikap baik. Tapi ia kemudian membongkar penyamarannya. Rupanya ia seorang pangeran dari negeri jauh di Eropa selatan, Tauri-Hessia.
Kerajaannya sedang tak baik-baik saja. Pamannya yang menjadi raja sedang terancam kudeta. Padahal ia raja yang baik. Ia direncanakan menjadi raja boneka karena ia masih muda, di mana nantinya ia akan dikontrol oleh perdana menteri. Gussy takut pamannya dibunuh dan ia dinobatkan.
Kekuatiran Bill akan Gussy terbukti. Lewat muslihat sederhana, Bill dan istrinya tertipu dan tertangkap. Anak-anak, selain Jack dan Kiki yang sedang berjalan-jalan, pun diculik dan dibawa ke negeri yang jauh.
Jack dan kakaktuanya yang lucu lalu bertualang sambil mencari cara menyelamatkan saudaranya.
Dalam buku ini yang paling kusukai tentunya adalah celotehan Kiki. Eh dari dulu sih. Aku suka dengan Kiki yang pintar menirukan suara manusia dan suka bertingkah konyol.
“Cul Bill muncul. Cul-cul-cul!”
“PLOK! Mulut Gussut cemberut!” Gussy mandi di kali!”
“Saya sayur. Sayur guyur”
“Bersihkan hidungmu!” Mana sapu tanganmu, Gussy pilek!”
Ia memasukkan rumput ke mulut Gussy yang sedang tidur menganga. Ia kemudian menakut-nakuti penjaga dengan menirukan suara burung hantu dan geraman anjing. Mereka langsung lari tunggang-langgang.
Sedangkan untuk karakter empat anaknya, Philip menarik karena ia pandai memikat hewan. Di sini ia berurusan dengan hewan yang sangat buas. Jack dengan gayanya yang supel. Lucy yang lembut dan pemalu. Dan Dinah yang lebih praktis dan logis.
Seperti judulnya, petualangan Jack membawanya ke sebuah sirkus asing. Kiki pun kemudian menjadi hewan sirkus dan menjadi salah satu penampil yang paling ditunggu. Caranya menyanyi, celotehannya, dan gayanya meniru berbagai suara membuat penonton terpukau dan tertawa terbahak-bahak.
Tapi yang aku heran selalu Bill di sini kurang bisa diandalkan. Alhasil anak-anak pun kemudian terseret petualangan besar tanpa dirinya. Apa memang sengaja ya biar ceritanya lebih menantang.
Ulasan pernah tayang di https://dewipuspasari.net/2021/06/09/...
Cerita bermula dari empat remaja yang libur sekolah. Selama ini mereka tinggal di asraka sehingga mereka gembira bila pulang ke rumah. Mereka adalah Jack dan adiknya, Lucy juga Philip dan adiknya Dinah. Jack dan Lucy-Ann yang yatim piatu diangkat anak oleh ibu Philip sehingga kini mereka menjadi keluarga. Ibu Philip lalu menikah dengan Bill, seorang polisi dan agen rahasia yang akrab dengan anak-anak.
Suatu ketika Bill mengajak mereka berlibur ke sebuah desa. Namun, anak-anak agak kecewa karena ia membawa seorang anak. Anak itu dari negeri asing. Rambutnya panjang dan ia nampak malas, angkuh, dan pemberang. Gustavus alias Gussy, namanya.
Anak-anak suka kesal dengannya. Tapi ketika kemudian Bill memarahinya, Gussy pun bersikap baik. Tapi ia kemudian membongkar penyamarannya. Rupanya ia seorang pangeran dari negeri jauh di Eropa selatan, Tauri-Hessia.
Kerajaannya sedang tak baik-baik saja. Pamannya yang menjadi raja sedang terancam kudeta. Padahal ia raja yang baik. Ia direncanakan menjadi raja boneka karena ia masih muda, di mana nantinya ia akan dikontrol oleh perdana menteri. Gussy takut pamannya dibunuh dan ia dinobatkan.
Kekuatiran Bill akan Gussy terbukti. Lewat muslihat sederhana, Bill dan istrinya tertipu dan tertangkap. Anak-anak, selain Jack dan Kiki yang sedang berjalan-jalan, pun diculik dan dibawa ke negeri yang jauh.
Jack dan kakaktuanya yang lucu lalu bertualang sambil mencari cara menyelamatkan saudaranya.
Dalam buku ini yang paling kusukai tentunya adalah celotehan Kiki. Eh dari dulu sih. Aku suka dengan Kiki yang pintar menirukan suara manusia dan suka bertingkah konyol.
“Cul Bill muncul. Cul-cul-cul!”
“PLOK! Mulut Gussut cemberut!” Gussy mandi di kali!”
“Saya sayur. Sayur guyur”
“Bersihkan hidungmu!” Mana sapu tanganmu, Gussy pilek!”
Ia memasukkan rumput ke mulut Gussy yang sedang tidur menganga. Ia kemudian menakut-nakuti penjaga dengan menirukan suara burung hantu dan geraman anjing. Mereka langsung lari tunggang-langgang.
Sedangkan untuk karakter empat anaknya, Philip menarik karena ia pandai memikat hewan. Di sini ia berurusan dengan hewan yang sangat buas. Jack dengan gayanya yang supel. Lucy yang lembut dan pemalu. Dan Dinah yang lebih praktis dan logis.
Seperti judulnya, petualangan Jack membawanya ke sebuah sirkus asing. Kiki pun kemudian menjadi hewan sirkus dan menjadi salah satu penampil yang paling ditunggu. Caranya menyanyi, celotehannya, dan gayanya meniru berbagai suara membuat penonton terpukau dan tertawa terbahak-bahak.
Tapi yang aku heran selalu Bill di sini kurang bisa diandalkan. Alhasil anak-anak pun kemudian terseret petualangan besar tanpa dirinya. Apa memang sengaja ya biar ceritanya lebih menantang.
Ulasan pernah tayang di https://dewipuspasari.net/2021/06/09/...
May 12, 2019
The 7th of the 8 books in Enid Blyton's adventure series.
Bill and Aunt Allie are now married. The children return from school to find Bill is guardian to 'Gussy' a mysterious foreigner, a bit of a wimpy kid quickly dubbed ,'fussy gussy' by the others.
They all go on holiday to a remote cottage to keep gussy safe and it turns out he is heir to the throne in a foreign land.
The children are kidnapped and taken with gussy to Tauri Hessia. Jack who had been out watching owls and so escapes the kidnap follows them and is then alone in a foreign land with no money and cant speak the native language.
Luckily Jack is able to use the talented Kiki the parrot to join up with a circus which calls in onbthevtown where the children are being hidden. With the help ofvthe acrobats he helps them escape and they disguise themselves at hide out at the citcus.
Bill arrives and saves the day, rescuing the real king and putting him back on the throne. The kidnappers had wanted Gusdy to be king.
Convoluted plot which at times stretches your credibility. Not as good as Ship of Adventure but definitely enough action for three stars!
Bill and Aunt Allie are now married. The children return from school to find Bill is guardian to 'Gussy' a mysterious foreigner, a bit of a wimpy kid quickly dubbed ,'fussy gussy' by the others.
They all go on holiday to a remote cottage to keep gussy safe and it turns out he is heir to the throne in a foreign land.
The children are kidnapped and taken with gussy to Tauri Hessia. Jack who had been out watching owls and so escapes the kidnap follows them and is then alone in a foreign land with no money and cant speak the native language.
Luckily Jack is able to use the talented Kiki the parrot to join up with a circus which calls in onbthevtown where the children are being hidden. With the help ofvthe acrobats he helps them escape and they disguise themselves at hide out at the citcus.
Bill arrives and saves the day, rescuing the real king and putting him back on the throne. The kidnappers had wanted Gusdy to be king.
Convoluted plot which at times stretches your credibility. Not as good as Ship of Adventure but definitely enough action for three stars!
February 18, 2019
This book was wonderful and I really liked it. It showed the misadventures of a circus-like family which was captured and shipped off to a foreign country. As usual with Enid Blyton, the story was very intriguing and consisted of a mixture of mystery, thrill, and suspense. It kept me on the edge and I just couldn't put it down.
- Vanshika Batra, Mind Tree School,
Panjokhra
- Vanshika Batra, Mind Tree School,
Panjokhra
July 28, 2023
Here's some alternative titles:
1. The New Country of adventure
2. The Kingdom of adventure
3. The Foreign land of adventure
Since the circus made a huge deal after 50% of the book, its kinda fair but still.
The story itself is a mixture of Five have a wonderful time, Five have a plenty of fun and a Mystery of the vanished prince. But i cant deny that eventho it was full of recycle elements, it was fun to read, especially Kiki.
1. The New Country of adventure
2. The Kingdom of adventure
3. The Foreign land of adventure
Since the circus made a huge deal after 50% of the book, its kinda fair but still.
The story itself is a mixture of Five have a wonderful time, Five have a plenty of fun and a Mystery of the vanished prince. But i cant deny that eventho it was full of recycle elements, it was fun to read, especially Kiki.
January 6, 2020
The series was meant to end at The ship of adventure, but after many demanding and pleading fans Blyton’s back again, this time with a slightly different concept. It’s pretty good, with many interesting characters and landscapes in the land of Tauri-Hessia. Part of series. Can be read out-of-order, without much trouble.
April 24, 2021
Typical adventure stories, set in the British highlands, across rough seas, on moors and forgotten mansions, with stories of young adults that could span several generations without being outdated.
The adventure series, while fun, were meant for an even younger reader group, with simple and easy to follow language. Interesting and page turners, nonetheless.
The adventure series, while fun, were meant for an even younger reader group, with simple and easy to follow language. Interesting and page turners, nonetheless.
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