Five Forget Mother's Day

Enid Blyton for Grown-Ups #7

by Bruno Vincent

Enid Blyton's books are beloved the world over and The Famous Five have been the perennial favourite of her fans. Now, in this new series of Enid Blyton for Grown-Ups, George, Dick, Anne, Julian and Timmy are keen to show Aunt Fanny how much she means to them.

Join Julian, George, Dick, Anne and Timmy the dog as they try to celebrate Mother's Day with Aunt Fanny. George has past form in forgetting - not least her mum's birthday and Christmas presents - so tensions are running high even for the charged normality of their mother/daughter bond.

But things go from bad to worse when Fanny comes to stay, with relations strained almost to breaking point. Can the Five save the day, and will Uncle Quentin get involved?

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Comedy

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2017

About the author

Bruno Vincent was a bookseller and book editor before he was an author. His humour books for grown-ups, co-authored with Jon Butler, were national bestsellers and have been translated into seven languages. The TUMBLEWATER books are his first for children.

Reviews

[Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The gang are back which is great but who knew Mother's Day could bring out such hateful feelings...even in Aunt Fan! Enid wouldn't allow that sort of nonsense.

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read some of the Famous Five novels when I was younger, and I had this newer one on my shelf from a source I don't recall. Imagine my surprise when I realise that this isn’t an original Famous Five book, but a book in the Enid Blyton for Adults series, very much not for children (other notable titles include Five Give Up the Booze and Five at the Office Christmas Party).

Needless to say, it was pretty funny. The author has balanced the classic original style and voice of Enid Blyton with their own new, very contemporary setting, which is an amalgamation that I'm definitely here for. If you liked the Famous Five when you were younger, this series is one to check out if you want some amusement.

[Hastings75 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another instalment in the "Five" satirical series.

Whilst the "Strategy Day" book still remains my favourite, this one has a different message to get across and it did it well.

I enjoyed the introduction of Aunty Fanny as a main character and it worked as a plot device in bringing out the other characters foibles.

Bring on the next instalment!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better ones.

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh George! She WILL forget to buy her mother a gift on special days. Not to worry, she’s determined to remember Mother’s Day this year. She’s not even going to rely on the rest of the gang to remind her, instead she’s pencilled it in the diary.

But when a visit from dear Aunt Fanny goes disastrously wrong, she and her cousins realise that amends must be made. And quickly…

Read in 2017 and in 2026. And it still made me snigger with laughter on numerous occasions. If you loved the famous five and have a sense of humour then you’ll love this. Hilarious

[Carolyn Coote · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Famous Five for adults book I’ve read. It came in my $100 “Mystery Book Box” from The Book Grocer. I read all of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books as a youngster and loved them. So I have really appreciated Bruno Vincent’s quirky approach to the characters, structure and language.

[Jill Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

True to the spirit of this book I received this as a belated mother's day present from daughter no 1! Great fun.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Famous Five for grown-ups series continues to amuse me. Like many people, I loved The Famous Five books when I was young and it's fun to read about the adults they might have turned into. In this book, the cousins are trying to find the perfect gift for Aunt Fanny to show her how much they appreciate her. George has managed to forget to buy gifts for her mother on several important occasions and is determined that this time she will remember.

This exchange between Anne and George made me laugh as they discuss Aunt Fanny's parenting skills. It is exactly what you didn't notice when reading The Famous Five as a child but do notice when reading to your own children!

Anne: "All those summers down there in Kirren, when she used to look after us. . ."

George: "But she left us alone the whole time, and just let us bugger off all over the place - getting into all sorts of trouble in the process."

What I really enjoy about these stories is that Bruno Vincent has captured the essence of the original books while bringing them right up to date. I really can imagine that the Five would have turned out exactly as they are portrayed in the modern versions, with the different kinds of adventures and challenges that adults experience. Some of the chapter titles are enough to make me laugh in themselves: 'Five Mess Up a Perfectly Easy Task' or 'Five Bugger Something Up Again, Despite it Appearing Objectively Quite Achieveable'.

The original illustrations, along with quotations from the new story, are used to great comedic effect and add that bit something extra to the book. I am really enjoying catching up with the Famous Five. Now what one to choose next - Five Go Parenting (will they have the same lackadaisical approach as their own parents?) or Five Give Up the Booze (what, they drink something stronger than ginger beer?!)

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

George has forgotten many important dates for giving a gift to her mother - Mother's Day, Christmas, Birthdays - and is determined that this year she'll get the perfect gift.
She knows that she has a difficult relationship with her mother, so when her mum shows up on her doorstep to stay a few nights, she's determined to hold in her emotions so as to not damage their tenuous relationship. Of course, things don't go as planned...
There are misunderstandings on both sides, and in the end this is a story about how we admit our mistakes, apologise to and forgive the ones we love.

[Sarah Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing take on Enid Blyton's much loved "Five" series. In Bruno Vincent's "Five Forget Mother's day" Julian, Dick, Ann, George and her loveable dog, Timmy must join forces to help George cope with a visit from her Mother, Fanny. George has the terrible habit of forgetting birthdays, anniversaries and other key events. Will Mother's day be a disaster too? An entertaining short read and a great gift idea. 

[Dajuroka Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

OMG. What a bizarre concept. Read like a collection of teenagers stuck in time warp in the UK. Somewhat humorous in a laid back way but not something I would go out of my way to read again. Those who read Enid Blyton will see the similarity in style and chaotic focus but I am not sure it translated well for 'grown ups', whatever they are. Good for a quiet smile and then move on , I suggest to something with a shade of grey in it maybe?

[Sara Eames · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five series, then this series of books is for you. All the characters that you knew and loved are there - although in their adult form. This is a gentle homage to the characters and a good series of books. Easily read and good for an hour or so's entertainment. However, this one is one of the weaker ones - some of the others are better - but still worth a look.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase Five Forget Mother's Day here for just $8!

A grown up telling of the Famous Five, the five are ready to celebrate Mother's Day with their Aunt Fanny. A satirical, fun skewering of the well-loved Enid Blyton stories. Would be perfect as a gift.

Elisa - Book grocer

[Ash Dah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of the 'new' books about the Famous Five as adults that I have read. Opening the book without knowing a thing about it, it took me to the end of the first page to catch on that this wasn't written by Enid. I had the TV series theme song in my head as soon as George and Timmy the dog were mentioned in the same space. Overall it was a bit of laught and gave me an ear worm. Don't think i'll be checking out the rest of the books though.

[Edmund Bloxam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly emotional at the end.

Wanted it to be funny. I wouldn't even call it satire; I would call it 'caricature', or 'in the style of'.

Ultimately, I'd agree with my initial response to these, which is why I never read them: 'what exactly is the point of it?'

Still, being super short forgives a lot of sins. It's a short story. I wouldn't dream of paying full price for it. That would be ridiculous. Bought it in a charity shop. Will give it back.

[Sharni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh! Aside from brief moments of panic when my beloved childhood companions are not portrayed in the best light this was a hilarious deconstruction about dealing with a parent (or Aunt) whom you love dearly but find hard to relate to. Best enjoyed with lashings of ginger beer!

[Kerri Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing I love most about these books is the original illustrations captioned with text from the current book that can’t possible near any likeness to what the illustration might be telling you! I also like to guess what book they are originally from.

[Dogsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny. Purchased last spring at waterson's and just now read. Delightfully snarky although the ending a bit twee. Evidently the grown up version of a favorite kids series. Very very British

[The Honest Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Five for Adults edition. This time Aunt Fanny pays the gang a visit, and sets off a series of events. With the usual clever humour, this story had an additional message of how much Aunt Fanny meant to the Famous Five. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A send-up of the Famous Five books, part of a series in which the gang are now in their 20s and trying to make their way in the modern world. In this case, the action revolves around George's neglect of her passive-aggressive mum, Aunt Fanny. A good, and pretty funny, lark.

[Sharon Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit more thoughtful than I expected, but I'm not sure what the point of this series is.

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

[Clare Rhoden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and quite funny - I was surprised that it also includes quite a few home truths! Enjoy :-) I will definitely be sharing this one with my sibs

[Gail Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny.

[Kay Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book again was enjoyable and I did love it as much as I loved the Famous Five books when I was younger.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny. That frustration of everything going wrong! But still hilarious to read.

[Vanda Bromwich · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick satirical read. The five are now grown but still getting into "scrapes".
Something different as a Mother's Day present.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another story about the Five adults and what happens when George keeps forgetting important celebrations for her mother and her determination that this time she won't forget.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit mis.

[Mrs B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hapless five attempt to pull out all the stops in an attempt to make Aunt Fanny’s day a special one.
Needless to say, after a few detours to the pub, things don’t exactly go to plan.