What book would you love to be able to read again for the first time?
I would love to read any number of my childhood favourites as for the first time again, but I think that this is especially true for Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree series. I had — still have, actually — The Folk of the Faraway Tree and The Magic Faraway Tree, and they both just delighted me beyond all reason.
It’s got everything: plucky English children, an Enchanted Wood, a giaganto tree which grows different fruits at different levels and is inhabited by people named things like Moon Face and The Saucepan Man and Dame Washalot. At the top of the tree there is a ladder leading into the clouds, and at the top of the latter there is a strange land, a new one every few days. There’s also a slide all the way through the tree, from the top right to the very bottom.
Apparently newer editions of these books have been somewhat sanitized, but I have the older text. The children are named things like Fanny and Dick, and there’s a character named Dame Slap who cheerfully administers corporal punishment to any child who crosses her path. Good times all round!
I still read these from time to time, but I would wish to be able to read them like the first time — to be able to recapture all of those delighted moments of what happens next?.
I’d really like to read these again for the first time. I am reading them with my daughter at the moment so its nearly as good to see her excitement. I always wanted to go down the slippery slip, probably more than I actually wanted to go up the tree!
And don’t get me started on the mass editing of enid blyton! I didn’t know they’d had a go at these though. We’re reading my childhood copies.
those books look adorable! I didn’t even think of my childhood favorites for this question, but those are awesome choices!
Marie’s latest blog post:Booking Through Thursday
Now these books are simply marvellous. I think I will re-read those!
I love Enid Blyton.
BTT: Second a first
gautami tripathy’s latest blog post:to make second a first
Of course they sanitize everything these day. I see you like Star Wars. So do I. I review Star Wars and Star Trek books on my Sci-Fi Friday.
Bluestocking’s latest blog post:Sense and Sensibility
Hi Christine.
I really enjoy your blog. Because you make me smile, I’m giving you a Lemonade Award. The details are on my blog.
I can’t remember whether I’ve ever actually commented on your blog before. I’m really bad at commenting. I promise to comment in future, though, and not just lurk in the background.
And I want to read Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables for the first time again. It’s always great, but the first time was just magical. Although I wouldn’t mind revisiting the Magic Faraway Tree books either: I used to love those looks when I was a child.
Caty.
Okay, so I’m technologically incompetent as well as bad at remembering to leave comments. This link should work.
Caty’s latest blog post:Lemonade. Yum.
OMG I loved The Magic Faraway Tree when I was little. We were staying at a Bed & Breakfast in Wales when I was around five, and I picked this out of the couple’s library to read. Of course, I didn’t finish it, and they let me keep it. I treasure that book.
I can’t believe the new versions are sanitized…what would the story be without Fanny and Dick?!
Eva’s latest blog post:Library Loot: May 20-26, 2009
I don’t remember reading either book. They must have been popular as people remember them.
Mary’s latest blog post:BTT: A Second First Time?
Sounds like wonderful books. I have never heard of any of them(maybe not so weird since I live in Norway).
Here is my BTT post.
Ladybug’s latest blog post:Booking Through Thursday
I have the Faraway Tree in my list as well – always wondered what my life could’ve been living just next to the Enchanted Wood.
I was convinced it actually existed as well… oh, for the good ol’ days!
uncertainprinciples’s latest blog post:Booking Through Thursday – Second First Time
Omigod, I had to look at your post because I also love the Faraway Tree … I think it was my childhood ambition to own a tree with a slide down the middle… in fact, I can’t remember when I gave up on that one!
Still, have to say I’m a bit sad the books have been sanitised… wish I’d kept all the copies I had as a child now
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