What do you think?
Rate this book
The Famous Five #7-9
Famous Five Collection 3 Books 7 9
Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in Enid Blyton's most popular series. Five Go Off To Camp Ghost trains in the dead of night that seem to vanish into thin air? The Famous Five are on to it! If they follow the tracks, will they solve the mystery? Five Get Into Trouble Dick has been kidnapped! The gang finally track him down - to a lonely, abandoned house - but then they too are siezed! How will the intrepid Five get themselves out of this mess . . ? Five Fall Into Adventure George and her devoted Timmy have disappeared! Not only that, somebody has broken into Kirrin Cottage. It's going to be tough getting to the bottom of this mystery when there's only three of them. This 70th anniversary edition features the Classic editions of three Famous Five adventures (books 7-9) in one volume and contains the original cover art and inside drawings by Eileen Soper. Author BiographyEnid Blyton's books have sold over 500 million copies and have been translated into other languages more often than any other children's author. She wrote over 600 books and hundreds of short stories, including favourites such as The Famous Five,The Secret Seven, The Magic Faraway Tree, Malory Towers and Noddy. Born in London in 1897, Enid lived much of her life in Buckinghamshire and adored dogs, gardening and the countryside. She died in 1968 but remains one of the world's best-loved storytellers. - The Famous Five Collection 3 By Enid Blyton (Paperback)
624 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2016
About the author
Enid Blyton
5,250 books6,451 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 8, 2020
I love these series, I'll get the other collections soon .They are worth it. I really like George, jo, Julian ,Dick , anne ,and allllll.
January 9, 2021
Enid Blyton is an all time classic, I love reading her books as a grown up just as much as I did as a kid.
This collection has a nice format and comes in a smooth paperback cover, containing all the old illustrations. In book seven the famous five go camping and end up hunting for spook trains, in book eight the five meet another kid named Richard and plunge head first into adventure with his would be kidnappers, while book nine tells the story of how they first meet ragamuffin Joe.
I am generally of the opinion that the earlier books in the series are mostly better than those at the end of the series, so this collection is a nice treat. And while 'Five Get Into Trouble' (book eight) is not one of my particular favorites, I love all of the stories containing Joe. Book seven (Five Go Off To Camp) is also a fine treat, keeping our friends in action from the first to the last; the pace of the story is finely spread and suspense and new revelations are maintained right to the end.
I can only recommend this timeless collection, it is a most enjoyable read.
This collection has a nice format and comes in a smooth paperback cover, containing all the old illustrations. In book seven the famous five go camping and end up hunting for spook trains, in book eight the five meet another kid named Richard and plunge head first into adventure with his would be kidnappers, while book nine tells the story of how they first meet ragamuffin Joe.
I am generally of the opinion that the earlier books in the series are mostly better than those at the end of the series, so this collection is a nice treat. And while 'Five Get Into Trouble' (book eight) is not one of my particular favorites, I love all of the stories containing Joe. Book seven (Five Go Off To Camp) is also a fine treat, keeping our friends in action from the first to the last; the pace of the story is finely spread and suspense and new revelations are maintained right to the end.
I can only recommend this timeless collection, it is a most enjoyable read.
July 3, 2020
I read all the Famous Five books when I was a kid, so when I saw this on sale on Amazon I thought I'd give it a read. Reading the Famous Five in this day and age is a really weird experience. The stories are still fun and full of adventures but it is how George is treated that makes reading it weird.
While George is allowed to behave in more 'boyish' ways Dick and Julian are still very sexist towards her so when reading the books you see the expected sexism for the time the books were written but also George's struggles with her own gender and how it constricts what she wants to do in her life, somthing with resonates with me even in this day and age.
While George is allowed to behave in more 'boyish' ways Dick and Julian are still very sexist towards her so when reading the books you see the expected sexism for the time the books were written but also George's struggles with her own gender and how it constricts what she wants to do in her life, somthing with resonates with me even in this day and age.
August 17, 2026
Ich habe die Fünf-Freunde-Geschichten schon unzählige Male als Hörspiele oder Verfilmungen erlebt, nun jedoch zum ersten Mal zu der Buchfassung gegriffen, und dabei den Sammelband mit meinen zwei Lieblingsabenteuern (geraten in Schwierigkeiten sowie helfen ihren Kameraden) gewählt.
Statt von Julian, Dick, Anne, George und Timmy, dem Hund, von Julius, Richard, Anne, Georg und Tim zu lesen, war gewöhnungsbedürftig, fiel mir nach einer Weile indes gar nicht mehr auf. Obzwar der Plot für mich wahrlich nicht neu war, wurde mir zudem zu keiner Minute langweilig beim Lesen. Ich fieberte gewissen Momenten entgegen, an anderen Stellen freuten mich Ausschmückungen, die bei den Adaptionen des Buchstoffs gestrichen wurden.
Sogleich fiel mir der viel gepriesene, viel kritisierte Enid-Blyton-Stil auf. Gänzlich nüchtern kommt er daher: Anstelle aussagekräftigerer Synonyme ist Vieles einfach „klein“ oder „groß“, und wer zu den bösen Männern gehört, ist anhand äußerer Merkmale oder Unfreundlichkeit augenblicks absehbar. Die Erzählweise ist eindeutig auf Kinder ausgerichtet, und doch funktioniert sie – ja, vielleicht ist es gerade die Einfachheit, was das Leseerlebnis so magisch macht, sowohl bezüglich des Schreibstils als auch der Ferien der Fünf Freunde. Ich meine, wer geht heutzutage noch in absoluter Abgeschiedenheit zelten und holt sich seine Lebensmittel von einem Bauernhof?
Bei „Im Zeltlager“ war Professor Krabbler ob seiner Verpeiltheit gewissermaßen ein Running-Gag, was ich in der Fernsehserie nie so wahrgenommen habe. Dafür gefiel mir die Enthüllung des eigentlich gar nicht zugemauerten Tunnels darin besser und der über die „Geisterzüge“ wachende Holzbein-Samuel war anschaulicher. Enid Blyton beschrieb das Hochmoor knapp, trotzdem hatte ich unmittelbar ein Bild vor Augen. Wie Hans von den Fünf Freunden und Jockel verspottet wurden, bloß weil er ein „Muttersöhnchen“ war, fand ich gemein.
In „Geraten in Schwierigkeiten“ wurde zu Beginn Bezug auf das vorherige Abenteuer mit Professor Krabbler genommen – ein nettes Detail, wie ich finde. Außerdem altern die Fünf Freunde in den Büchern tatsächlich, Julian ist hier schon sechzehn!
Weil dieses Abenteuer 2013 in Abwandlung als zweiter Teil der Fünf-Freunde-Filmreihe veröffentlicht wurde, habe ich es, sieht man von der ersten Geschichte um die Felseninsel ab, wohl in den meisten Variationen kennengelernt, und ich mag es noch immer gern. Für mich hat es jedoch nie zu ihrem Charakter gepasst, dass Anne freiwillig auf einen Baum geklettert war, um die Umgebung zu überblicken, als Männer aus dem Unterholz stürmten und Dick im Glauben, er wäre Hardy, entführten. Im Film (und ich glaube auch, einer der Serien?) durfte Dick eine Runde mit Hardys teurem Quad (beziehungsweise in der Serie Bike) drehen, weshalb er verwechselt wurde, was ich plausibler finde, aber bei den Fünf Freunden haben die Erwachsenen ja ohnehin Probleme, Kinder auseinanderzuhalten.
So auch bei „Helfen ihren Kameraden“, was immer meine Lieblingsgeschichte war. Dort befreit die wilde Jo George und gibt sich darauf selbst für sie aus – denn beide haben ein „jungenhaftes“ Äußeres.
Beim Lesen stach das Abenteuer für mich weniger stark heraus; es wurde sehr von dem Insel-Setting der 1978er-Serie sowie den Schauspielern von Rotturm und dem kleinwüchsigen Markhoff getragen. Müsste ich mich entscheiden, wäre mein Favorit in diesem Band zu meiner Überraschung vermutlich die erste Geschichte.
Am Ende wurden die Kinder von Markhoff in einer Höhle eingesperrt, wo ihr einziger Ausweg das Meer war. Da Rotturms Helfershelfer wissen musste, seinen Auftrag, ihren Kahn zu zerstören, wegen der Tatsache, diesen nicht gefunden zu haben, zu erledigen versäumt hatte, ergab dies wenig Sinn.
Fazit: „Fünf Freunde: Die besten Abenteuer“ war für mich der Anfang meines Vorhabens, alle der einundzwanzig Abenteuer um Julian, Dick, Anne, George und Timmy, den Hund, zu lesen, und ich habe jede Minute genossen. Die Illustrationen waren ebenfalls nett, bildeten die beschriebene Szene mitunter indes nicht akkurat ab.
Noch eine kleine Anmerkung: Auf Seite 51 steht „sagte er alte Mann“ statt „sagte der alte Mann“, auf Seite 141 „Ich sah ihr, dass ich zu euch gehe“ statt „Ich sag ihr, dass ich zu euch gehe“, auf Seite 235 „Doch, was war schon drauf“ statt „Doch, das war schon drauf“, auf Seite 321 „Würde sich das Tür für sie öffnen?“ statt „Würde sich das Tor für sie öffnen?“, auf Seite 391 „Zwei Personen ging langsam den Strand entlang“ statt „Zwei Personen gingen langsam den Strand entlang“, auf Seite 408 „Pfaumenkernspucken“ statt „Pflaumenkernspucken“, auf Seite 418 fehlt das Fragezeichen bei „War das ein Seufzer“ und auf Seite 505 steht „Die beiden Junge beobachten ihn schweigend“ statt „Die beiden Jungen beobachteten ihn schweigend“. Zudem ist mit aufgefallen, dass ganz am Ende (auf Seite 546 bei „Die hier klopften einander überglücklich auf die Schultern und vollführten einen wahren Freudentanz um das Boot“ sowie auf Seite 547 bei „Die vier Kinder saßen im Boot, bereit, aus der Bucht zu rudern“) nur von vier Kindern gesprochen wird, obwohl es mit Jo fünf sein müssten. Ob dies ein Übersetzungsfehler ist oder ob eine Person einfach unbeteiligt am Rand gedacht ist, weiß ich nicht.
Statt von Julian, Dick, Anne, George und Timmy, dem Hund, von Julius, Richard, Anne, Georg und Tim zu lesen, war gewöhnungsbedürftig, fiel mir nach einer Weile indes gar nicht mehr auf. Obzwar der Plot für mich wahrlich nicht neu war, wurde mir zudem zu keiner Minute langweilig beim Lesen. Ich fieberte gewissen Momenten entgegen, an anderen Stellen freuten mich Ausschmückungen, die bei den Adaptionen des Buchstoffs gestrichen wurden.
Sogleich fiel mir der viel gepriesene, viel kritisierte Enid-Blyton-Stil auf. Gänzlich nüchtern kommt er daher: Anstelle aussagekräftigerer Synonyme ist Vieles einfach „klein“ oder „groß“, und wer zu den bösen Männern gehört, ist anhand äußerer Merkmale oder Unfreundlichkeit augenblicks absehbar. Die Erzählweise ist eindeutig auf Kinder ausgerichtet, und doch funktioniert sie – ja, vielleicht ist es gerade die Einfachheit, was das Leseerlebnis so magisch macht, sowohl bezüglich des Schreibstils als auch der Ferien der Fünf Freunde. Ich meine, wer geht heutzutage noch in absoluter Abgeschiedenheit zelten und holt sich seine Lebensmittel von einem Bauernhof?
Bei „Im Zeltlager“ war Professor Krabbler ob seiner Verpeiltheit gewissermaßen ein Running-Gag, was ich in der Fernsehserie nie so wahrgenommen habe. Dafür gefiel mir die Enthüllung des eigentlich gar nicht zugemauerten Tunnels darin besser und der über die „Geisterzüge“ wachende Holzbein-Samuel war anschaulicher. Enid Blyton beschrieb das Hochmoor knapp, trotzdem hatte ich unmittelbar ein Bild vor Augen. Wie Hans von den Fünf Freunden und Jockel verspottet wurden, bloß weil er ein „Muttersöhnchen“ war, fand ich gemein.
In „Geraten in Schwierigkeiten“ wurde zu Beginn Bezug auf das vorherige Abenteuer mit Professor Krabbler genommen – ein nettes Detail, wie ich finde. Außerdem altern die Fünf Freunde in den Büchern tatsächlich, Julian ist hier schon sechzehn!
Weil dieses Abenteuer 2013 in Abwandlung als zweiter Teil der Fünf-Freunde-Filmreihe veröffentlicht wurde, habe ich es, sieht man von der ersten Geschichte um die Felseninsel ab, wohl in den meisten Variationen kennengelernt, und ich mag es noch immer gern. Für mich hat es jedoch nie zu ihrem Charakter gepasst, dass Anne freiwillig auf einen Baum geklettert war, um die Umgebung zu überblicken, als Männer aus dem Unterholz stürmten und Dick im Glauben, er wäre Hardy, entführten. Im Film (und ich glaube auch, einer der Serien?) durfte Dick eine Runde mit Hardys teurem Quad (beziehungsweise in der Serie Bike) drehen, weshalb er verwechselt wurde, was ich plausibler finde, aber bei den Fünf Freunden haben die Erwachsenen ja ohnehin Probleme, Kinder auseinanderzuhalten.
So auch bei „Helfen ihren Kameraden“, was immer meine Lieblingsgeschichte war. Dort befreit die wilde Jo George und gibt sich darauf selbst für sie aus – denn beide haben ein „jungenhaftes“ Äußeres.
Beim Lesen stach das Abenteuer für mich weniger stark heraus; es wurde sehr von dem Insel-Setting der 1978er-Serie sowie den Schauspielern von Rotturm und dem kleinwüchsigen Markhoff getragen. Müsste ich mich entscheiden, wäre mein Favorit in diesem Band zu meiner Überraschung vermutlich die erste Geschichte.
Am Ende wurden die Kinder von Markhoff in einer Höhle eingesperrt, wo ihr einziger Ausweg das Meer war. Da Rotturms Helfershelfer wissen musste, seinen Auftrag, ihren Kahn zu zerstören, wegen der Tatsache, diesen nicht gefunden zu haben, zu erledigen versäumt hatte, ergab dies wenig Sinn.
Fazit: „Fünf Freunde: Die besten Abenteuer“ war für mich der Anfang meines Vorhabens, alle der einundzwanzig Abenteuer um Julian, Dick, Anne, George und Timmy, den Hund, zu lesen, und ich habe jede Minute genossen. Die Illustrationen waren ebenfalls nett, bildeten die beschriebene Szene mitunter indes nicht akkurat ab.
Noch eine kleine Anmerkung: Auf Seite 51 steht „sagte er alte Mann“ statt „sagte der alte Mann“, auf Seite 141 „Ich sah ihr, dass ich zu euch gehe“ statt „Ich sag ihr, dass ich zu euch gehe“, auf Seite 235 „Doch, was war schon drauf“ statt „Doch, das war schon drauf“, auf Seite 321 „Würde sich das Tür für sie öffnen?“ statt „Würde sich das Tor für sie öffnen?“, auf Seite 391 „Zwei Personen ging langsam den Strand entlang“ statt „Zwei Personen gingen langsam den Strand entlang“, auf Seite 408 „Pfaumenkernspucken“ statt „Pflaumenkernspucken“, auf Seite 418 fehlt das Fragezeichen bei „War das ein Seufzer“ und auf Seite 505 steht „Die beiden Junge beobachten ihn schweigend“ statt „Die beiden Jungen beobachteten ihn schweigend“. Zudem ist mit aufgefallen, dass ganz am Ende (auf Seite 546 bei „Die hier klopften einander überglücklich auf die Schultern und vollführten einen wahren Freudentanz um das Boot“ sowie auf Seite 547 bei „Die vier Kinder saßen im Boot, bereit, aus der Bucht zu rudern“) nur von vier Kindern gesprochen wird, obwohl es mit Jo fünf sein müssten. Ob dies ein Übersetzungsfehler ist oder ob eine Person einfach unbeteiligt am Rand gedacht ist, weiß ich nicht.
March 30, 2021
A little repetitive but getting better with every story. Our kids love these!
June 21, 2026
How wonderful it feels to reread these books again! I truly enjoyed the stories, the plot getting more and more complicated and less guessable than the last.
In Five Go Off to Camp ,
George, Julian, Dick, Anne and Timmy were just off camping in the moors when they stumbled over a seemingly deserted railway, guarded by a man that seemed to have lost his mind, shouting about the 'spook trains'. This engaging story tells how the Five, together with a new friend called Jock, uncovers the mystery of the spook trains, as well as learn to get back together after disagreements.
In Five Get Into Adventure ,
This is my favorite story so far. The Five were off on a cycling trip on their own, until they met the Richard Kent, the son of a rich man. He appears to be very much spoiled at the beginning of the story, but soon he was being tracked down by his father's enemies, and Dick got captured instead of Richard! This story explores how the Julian, Anne, George and Timmy learnt to work together with Richard to save Dick, telling everyone that even the most timid person can be brave if given the chance.
In Five Fall Into Adventure ,
The Five met another girl Jo, that dresses up like a boy like George, whom George disliked. But they soon discovered that they need the girl's help when Uncle Quentin's study has been flipped upside down, and George and Timmy kidnapped... Follow the Five and Jo as they rescued George from her kidnappers!
Though this story has a wonderful plot, I disliked the way Jo repeated again and again that she would do anything for Dick, just because he was nice to her. No offense, but is this saying that Jo hasn't got much standard? True, she wasn't much liked, she didn't receive much kindness, but she still shouldn't do anything Dick told her just because he was nice to her!
In Five Go Off to Camp ,
George, Julian, Dick, Anne and Timmy were just off camping in the moors when they stumbled over a seemingly deserted railway, guarded by a man that seemed to have lost his mind, shouting about the 'spook trains'. This engaging story tells how the Five, together with a new friend called Jock, uncovers the mystery of the spook trains, as well as learn to get back together after disagreements.
In Five Get Into Adventure ,
This is my favorite story so far. The Five were off on a cycling trip on their own, until they met the Richard Kent, the son of a rich man. He appears to be very much spoiled at the beginning of the story, but soon he was being tracked down by his father's enemies, and Dick got captured instead of Richard! This story explores how the Julian, Anne, George and Timmy learnt to work together with Richard to save Dick, telling everyone that even the most timid person can be brave if given the chance.
In Five Fall Into Adventure ,
The Five met another girl Jo, that dresses up like a boy like George, whom George disliked. But they soon discovered that they need the girl's help when Uncle Quentin's study has been flipped upside down, and George and Timmy kidnapped... Follow the Five and Jo as they rescued George from her kidnappers!
Though this story has a wonderful plot, I disliked the way Jo repeated again and again that she would do anything for Dick, just because he was nice to her. No offense, but is this saying that Jo hasn't got much standard? True, she wasn't much liked, she didn't receive much kindness, but she still shouldn't do anything Dick told her just because he was nice to her!
August 7, 2023
There are 3 stories in this book. The first story was about the Five going off the camp.
When Julian, Anne, George, Dick and Timmy went off to camp with Mr. Luffy. They found a river where they could bathe and found water from and they also found a farm where they could get food from, Like egg, sandwiches, milk etc. They met a boy in the farm named Jock. They made friends with him. The five went to an old cottage where they met a man who told them about a spooky train. Anne was very frightened. The five went back. every night Julian, Dick and Jock used to go hunting for the spook train. Once they saw it come out of the tunnel. Next morning, george went away from everybody else because she was cross with them and other three went to explore the tunnel. but George had made a very big discovery by finding Spook train. The others try to find her but cannot find her, then Jock came in the tunnel and were looking for her. Suddenly George came out with spook train which was being driven by thieves and were eventually caught by the Police.
Book 2
Five get into trouble
The five of them went on a biking trip. On the way they met a boy called Richard who asked them to meet at a certain point. Richard got permission to get to his grandmothers house, the five of them along with Richard went to a place near forest. George and Julian went to get some things from the farm and Dick was repairing his bicycle tire. Suddenly, Richard came running , he was scared that some people were after him. After sometime, Dick was being chased as he was being mistaken for Richard. they found owl's hill on map and went to find Dick. In the process, they all were held captives. Richard ran out and call the police and that's how the kidnappers were caught.
When Julian, Anne, George, Dick and Timmy went off to camp with Mr. Luffy. They found a river where they could bathe and found water from and they also found a farm where they could get food from, Like egg, sandwiches, milk etc. They met a boy in the farm named Jock. They made friends with him. The five went to an old cottage where they met a man who told them about a spooky train. Anne was very frightened. The five went back. every night Julian, Dick and Jock used to go hunting for the spook train. Once they saw it come out of the tunnel. Next morning, george went away from everybody else because she was cross with them and other three went to explore the tunnel. but George had made a very big discovery by finding Spook train. The others try to find her but cannot find her, then Jock came in the tunnel and were looking for her. Suddenly George came out with spook train which was being driven by thieves and were eventually caught by the Police.
Book 2
Five get into trouble
The five of them went on a biking trip. On the way they met a boy called Richard who asked them to meet at a certain point. Richard got permission to get to his grandmothers house, the five of them along with Richard went to a place near forest. George and Julian went to get some things from the farm and Dick was repairing his bicycle tire. Suddenly, Richard came running , he was scared that some people were after him. After sometime, Dick was being chased as he was being mistaken for Richard. they found owl's hill on map and went to find Dick. In the process, they all were held captives. Richard ran out and call the police and that's how the kidnappers were caught.
January 8, 2022
I read all the Famous Five books as a kid and when I saw this volume of 3 books on offer for 99p for Kindle I thought I'd relive a bit of my childhood.
A rather strange decision has been made to try and update some parts of the book for example pound notes are now pound coins. This However is a little odd as the books are clearly a product of their time. The language, and the views about the roles of women and girls in society do date them.
What struck me is how unpleasant actually some of the main characters could be with some behaviour on a couple of occasions that was basically bullying.
However maybe I'm looking too deeply into what is a series of children's books. It was enjoyable to relive some of these stories again although dated attitudes were quite amusing at times. I'm reminded of the Comic Strip Presents who performed iconic comedy versions of The Famous Five (with Dawn French, Jennnifer Saunders and Ade Edmondson as members of the five) a number of years ago. What struck me is that a lot of the comedy in them wasn't too much of a departure from what's actually in the books, maybe a slight exaggeration but not by a great deal.
I've seen other volumes for sale at a discount price and so I may well go back to them and relive more childhood memories along with a few laughs and lashing of ginger beer. (Although disappointingly I never did come across that phrase in this volume)
A rather strange decision has been made to try and update some parts of the book for example pound notes are now pound coins. This However is a little odd as the books are clearly a product of their time. The language, and the views about the roles of women and girls in society do date them.
What struck me is how unpleasant actually some of the main characters could be with some behaviour on a couple of occasions that was basically bullying.
However maybe I'm looking too deeply into what is a series of children's books. It was enjoyable to relive some of these stories again although dated attitudes were quite amusing at times. I'm reminded of the Comic Strip Presents who performed iconic comedy versions of The Famous Five (with Dawn French, Jennnifer Saunders and Ade Edmondson as members of the five) a number of years ago. What struck me is that a lot of the comedy in them wasn't too much of a departure from what's actually in the books, maybe a slight exaggeration but not by a great deal.
I've seen other volumes for sale at a discount price and so I may well go back to them and relive more childhood memories along with a few laughs and lashing of ginger beer. (Although disappointingly I never did come across that phrase in this volume)
Read
June 23, 2021Adventure, Drama and Excitement
Always an exciting adventure with the famous 5
The five always manage to get into a mystery that needs to be solved.
They venture in a Caravan, in tents, wherever their holidays take them.
Soon enough something happens that isn't just quite right.
Their keen sense of curiosity and suspicion eventually lead them to some odd goings on until they find themselves knee deep in another heart beating adventure.
Read these books, you'll never know where the story will lead you as you read about these thrilling adventures.
You'll be glad you did.
Always an exciting adventure with the famous 5
The five always manage to get into a mystery that needs to be solved.
They venture in a Caravan, in tents, wherever their holidays take them.
Soon enough something happens that isn't just quite right.
Their keen sense of curiosity and suspicion eventually lead them to some odd goings on until they find themselves knee deep in another heart beating adventure.
Read these books, you'll never know where the story will lead you as you read about these thrilling adventures.
You'll be glad you did.
September 26, 2022
3 cracking famous five books
3 more famous five books and so far the best three that I've read. These ones kind of flowed together. You could almost rename it '18 months with Julian, Dick, Anne & George, and never forgetting Timmy the dog'.
Definitely the best three books so far and worth the five stars. My only criticism is that they're playing around with the words in places. They need to stop that it makes things sound stupid!
3 more famous five books and so far the best three that I've read. These ones kind of flowed together. You could almost rename it '18 months with Julian, Dick, Anne & George, and never forgetting Timmy the dog'.
Definitely the best three books so far and worth the five stars. My only criticism is that they're playing around with the words in places. They need to stop that it makes things sound stupid!
December 22, 2020
Amazing
I always love the Famous Five books, in this collection my favourite was the last story Five fall into adventure in it I got surprised that Jo, daughter of a evil man would help the Famous Five. But still the whole collection was awesome (Plus my name is Rishi and I am 8 years old)
I always love the Famous Five books, in this collection my favourite was the last story Five fall into adventure in it I got surprised that Jo, daughter of a evil man would help the Famous Five. But still the whole collection was awesome (Plus my name is Rishi and I am 8 years old)
April 7, 2021
Alright I suppose
These 3 books are probably the weakest F F books so far. Gonna take a break from all the jolly males now and read something more adult!
These 3 books are probably the weakest F F books so far. Gonna take a break from all the jolly males now and read something more adult!
July 16, 2021
It's Enid Blyton. What more can I say?
Currently Reading
September 25, 2021gift book collections
April 21, 2022
Great read
Read when I was at school great to read again cannot wait to read the next one took me back in time
Read when I was at school great to read again cannot wait to read the next one took me back in time
February 9, 2020
Really enjoyed books 7-9 of the Famous Five Collection by Enid Blyton as well.
1. Five Go Off To Camp.
The Famous Five (including Timmy the Dog) go off on a camping trip with their mad about insects Professor Mr Luffy. They are to camp on the moors and are looking forward to it. No one thinks there will be an adventure in the offing but they had not counted on the Spook Trains. Originally, Anne thinks she is sitting on a "Volcano" but are the spook trains as Wooden Leg Sam calls them for real? When the boys, Julian and Dick, decide to investigate further at night along with their new friend, Jock, banning the girls, George and Anne, from coming, George is furious and sulky. But George, on one of her sulky, cooling down treks has her own adventure and they find out the monied step-father of Jock, Mr Andrews, is not all he seems. The Famous Five (and this time Jock) save the day, yet again!
2. Five Get Into Trouble.
The Famous Five go on a cycling tour, which seems banal enough; however, adventure seems to follow them! They stop near a lake (the Green Pool) and meet another boy, Richard Thurlow Kent. He is the son of one of the richest men in the country, Thurlow Kent and the Green Pool is on his estate. Richard seems rather spoilt and exaggerates a bit. In any case, as the Five decide to continue on their tour Richard lies and says his mother has agreed to let him join them until his aunt's house. Dick then gets a tyre puncture and Julian and George and Timmy go off to buy some food while Anne who decides to climb a tree waits for them to come back. Dick (which is short for Richard ... or so some thugs think) gets kidnapped and Anne witnesses it all. The others including Richard Kent decide to find Dick and rescue him. Unfortunately, they find Dick but become hostages as well! In the end, Richard Kent, who had not impressed everyone with his bravery and seemed a weak personality, proves himself and he informs the Police about what happened who save The Five from the people who had mistakenly kidnapped Dick who were thugs dealing in criminal activity and were escaped convicts.
3. Five Fall Into Adventure.
The book starts with George and Timmy waiting at the railway station for the others to come to stay at Kirrin Cottage. Sadly, this holiday is only two weeks long because Julian, Dick and Anne had gone to France for two weeks. George's mother and overworked dad (who is a famous scientist) decide to go on holiday to Spain. A new character called Jo, is introduced in this book who is similar to George in that she dresses as a boy and looks like one. She used to live in a circus and now her father indulges in criminal activity and so her life is sad. Uncle Quentin, George's dad, is a world famous scientist and one day someone breaks into George's house looking for some of his important notes. Later on, we find Jo is involved. Shockingly, George and Timmy are kidnapped when they go out for Timmy's walk. A letter is sent saying if Uncle Quentin's notes are not sent George and Timmy will not be released. Due to Dick being kind to Jo previously she wants to help and they try to find George together. The person who has been behind all this is a madman called Red Tower. Jo leads the children to Red Tower's castle and they find George has been imprisoned and poor Timmy drugged badly. Jo plays a pivotal role in their escape and finally the police are involved and all's well that ends well. As Julian says at the end, "Everything okay".
:-) Cool books. They keep getting better.
1. Five Go Off To Camp.
The Famous Five (including Timmy the Dog) go off on a camping trip with their mad about insects Professor Mr Luffy. They are to camp on the moors and are looking forward to it. No one thinks there will be an adventure in the offing but they had not counted on the Spook Trains. Originally, Anne thinks she is sitting on a "Volcano" but are the spook trains as Wooden Leg Sam calls them for real? When the boys, Julian and Dick, decide to investigate further at night along with their new friend, Jock, banning the girls, George and Anne, from coming, George is furious and sulky. But George, on one of her sulky, cooling down treks has her own adventure and they find out the monied step-father of Jock, Mr Andrews, is not all he seems. The Famous Five (and this time Jock) save the day, yet again!
2. Five Get Into Trouble.
The Famous Five go on a cycling tour, which seems banal enough; however, adventure seems to follow them! They stop near a lake (the Green Pool) and meet another boy, Richard Thurlow Kent. He is the son of one of the richest men in the country, Thurlow Kent and the Green Pool is on his estate. Richard seems rather spoilt and exaggerates a bit. In any case, as the Five decide to continue on their tour Richard lies and says his mother has agreed to let him join them until his aunt's house. Dick then gets a tyre puncture and Julian and George and Timmy go off to buy some food while Anne who decides to climb a tree waits for them to come back. Dick (which is short for Richard ... or so some thugs think) gets kidnapped and Anne witnesses it all. The others including Richard Kent decide to find Dick and rescue him. Unfortunately, they find Dick but become hostages as well! In the end, Richard Kent, who had not impressed everyone with his bravery and seemed a weak personality, proves himself and he informs the Police about what happened who save The Five from the people who had mistakenly kidnapped Dick who were thugs dealing in criminal activity and were escaped convicts.
3. Five Fall Into Adventure.
The book starts with George and Timmy waiting at the railway station for the others to come to stay at Kirrin Cottage. Sadly, this holiday is only two weeks long because Julian, Dick and Anne had gone to France for two weeks. George's mother and overworked dad (who is a famous scientist) decide to go on holiday to Spain. A new character called Jo, is introduced in this book who is similar to George in that she dresses as a boy and looks like one. She used to live in a circus and now her father indulges in criminal activity and so her life is sad. Uncle Quentin, George's dad, is a world famous scientist and one day someone breaks into George's house looking for some of his important notes. Later on, we find Jo is involved. Shockingly, George and Timmy are kidnapped when they go out for Timmy's walk. A letter is sent saying if Uncle Quentin's notes are not sent George and Timmy will not be released. Due to Dick being kind to Jo previously she wants to help and they try to find George together. The person who has been behind all this is a madman called Red Tower. Jo leads the children to Red Tower's castle and they find George has been imprisoned and poor Timmy drugged badly. Jo plays a pivotal role in their escape and finally the police are involved and all's well that ends well. As Julian says at the end, "Everything okay".
:-) Cool books. They keep getting better.
Read
March 4, 2023I like that in this book Blyton made all these characters so different from one another. for instance, Enid Blyton made George, a character in this book, so tomboyish whereas Anne loves playing house and washing up and tidying up, basically just being a housewife, sort of and that's really different from what George is like.
What I didn't like in this book is that she made all the beginnings of the books in the series so repetitive as she always start them off by describing what each character is like when we already know.
What I didn't like in this book is that she made all the beginnings of the books in the series so repetitive as she always start them off by describing what each character is like when we already know.
July 28, 2020
Typical Enid Blyton famous five books, shame the text was changed as it spoils the narrative. They use 1 pounds coins not notes and gypsies and travellers and these things were not there when the story was set in time. Why change it?
February 2, 2017
Great to revisit the Famous Five on my Kindle!
August 25, 2017
re-reading some of the famous five books i had read 20 years ago... nice easy holiday read.
October 16, 2023
The escapades were entertaining but also the gender roles in them 😟😟
March 23, 2025
3 exciting stories, 3 books in a series (7-9), 7 hrs of adventure
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews