Blyton is back on form (The Famous Five: Five on Finniston Farm - Enid Blyton)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	The Famous Five: Five on Finniston Farm - Enid Blyton
Date:	08/07/08 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great read for kids

Disadvantages: Nothing really

Five On On Finniston Farm is the 18th in the series of 21 books by Enid Blyton featuring the Famous Five. Many view the books as the best children's literature ever, and they are incredibly popular, and have been since their original publications in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. I agree with this viewpoint as they were my favourite books as a child and I still read them now from time to time.

The Famous Five are Julian, Dick and Anne Kirrin, their cousin George (Georgina) Kirrin and her dog Timmy. Five On Finniston Farm sees the Five sent to stay on the farm in the title, and are interested to hear that there used to be a castle in the grounds. When they find out that there are rumoured to be intact dungeons underneath the castle, they are determined to the castle and search the dungeons, especially as the owners of the farm are falling on hard times and are treated roughly by the aying Americna guests with them. However, the Five are not the only ones looking for the treasure.............

The book is a slight return to the treasure seeking idea behind many of Blyton's earlier Famous Five books, and it is this type of book from her that I find fits the mould better. The previous few books went a little wayward in quality and plot, but this wades in strongly and ranks up there with the best of them. The treasure hunting aspect is what I find rather magical about the Five's adventures, and this is a welcome tale. The book has 185 pages, and is easily flowing in terms of writing style, particularly as it is geared towards children.

The book was originally published in 1959. The copy I have was published in 1985, and cost £1.50 at the time. Five On Finniston Farm is available from amazon.co.uk for £3.49.

Summary: Five On Finniston Farm - No.18