The Three Golliwogs

by Enid Blyton, Rene Cloke (Illustrator)

book

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Short Stories, British Literature

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

See 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

Reviews

[Paul Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some may find it repetitive, but I thought it most amusing
That the plots of these tales are driven by the fact (simple yet confusing)

That the Golliwogs look just the same, so one would almost infer…
No, wait, that's right…I'd better keep my silence, as censors prefer.

[Nigel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have been reading a few Enid Blyton books to my young children, and of course read these a lot/was read to a lot as a child myself. In general, they are not too bad, and the kids like them. They even like this one. This is an old edition with the original cover and illustrations - it is now 'rebranded' as 'The Three Bold Pixies" due to the perceived racism of the pictures and content. Reading as an adult, it is easy to see why this book is perceived as racist. The collection of short stories all have the same essential plot - confusion is caused by everyone mistaking the three golliwogs for the same person. Although this is not in itself necessarily racist (i.e. 'all black people look the same'), as the golliwogs share a birthday - perhaps they are identical triplets? It is, however, boring and repetitive. My children certainly did not make any link from the golliwogs to any real people, black or white, so I think overall probably the censoring was unnecessary and overly sensitive. Unlike most of Enid Blyton's books though, the stories lack imagination and spark, and are certainly weaker than, for instance, the Amelia Jane books, and certainly (admittedly aimed at slightly older children) the Wishing Chair and Faraway Tree books.

[Shannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I'm a teen, I still loved this book.

The book I own has been passed down through my family and now belongs to my auntie. A few years ago, she lended it to me and I've haven't been able to give it back yet, but then again, I don't know if she wants it back.

Back to the story, though, I found it interesting the way Enid wrote it. Most of the time, one of the characters asked a question and Blyton wrote "said."

Overall, the Three Golliwogs is a great children's book and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Christine]

*wonders at the probable racist undertones*

[George A.]

Possibly the first novel i ever read. I absolutely loved it and i will treasure it forever if when i get my hands on another copy of it.

[Daniel Towey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this amongst some of my mothers things. It’s over 50 years old. I know my mom grew up reading it so thought I’d give it a go.
It’s pretty much the same story over and over. The plot isn’t overly imaginative.
But then again, it is a children’s book, as an adult I shouldn’t have expected too much.

[Quarms Adu · Rating 5 out of 5]

First novel I read in my life. Was given toe as a birthday gift and this started my love for reading. Have an emotional bond to this book

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fashback to my childhood. I remembered I paid $15 for this copy because it was worth a lot more money back then. Now I don't know.

[Adam Cleaver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not one you could read today to your children, but as a Blyton story back in the day was pretty much the same as any other book. Not one of the better ones, but ok.

[Molly Okezie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and would want to read it again

[Jodie Gardner]

Lo

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

While each story is great on its own, having them all together feels repetitive and the golliwogs come across as being extremely daft. They’re constantly being mistaken for one another, yet they never come to that conclusion.

[Eva Siagian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, funny story
I think my niece will love it♥

[Ibrahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice

[Nannika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yip...my sister had this book

[Olabusayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

first book i ever read. loved it!!!

[Yap]

GOLLIWOG GOLLIWOG WHO IS THERE?