- FAMOUS FIVE 2012: CHILDHOOD REVISITED -Book three: Five Run Away TogetherAnd then it got serious.If memory serves, "Five Run Away Together" is the second book I got in the collection, and probably the second most read. A correlation isn't obvious; it isn't because I had it before most others that I read it more, but rather and simply because it is better.Taking a darker turn, this book is, in my humble but always accurate opinion, one of the best in the series. It marks the first moment when the adventures of the Famous Five moved away from being mere childhood games to actually dealing with more serious offenders, in a story that involves kidnap, poisoning, death threats, and evil spirits echoing prophetic words of caution inside the obscure, underground tunnels of a deserted island (granted, these "spirits" were actually four upper class kids suffering through the ennui of 11, but it's still a cool little detail).All this and more takes place on the usual background sets of Kirrin Cottage and Kirrin Island, but this time, in a much more exciting and truly 'adventurous' reading experience, full of revelations and plot twists, and well spiced with minor adversities and good humour. Most importantly, the story is, from a more technical point of view, very well built, and develops at a steady, gripping pace that makes this an excellent read for children and adults alike.Being one of my favourite Famous Five books, I have rated this 5 not just for how much I enjoyed reading it as a child, but for how much I enjoyed reading it now, a decade and a half later, with a smile on my face as I went through every page.Related but unimportant afterthought: I kinda feel sorry for the Sticks.
Jess, my 7-year old little girl, gives it 5 stars.Comments while reading:“I hate the Sticks! They are so nasty.”“Why do English people have to have tea at 4 o’clock in the afternoon? Isn’t that too late? 4 o’clock is my nap time.”“I hope Aunt Fanny will get better.”“What is a ‘smuggler’? Why do people have to pay money to the government if they want to bring things from abroad?”“What do gorse bushes and heathers look like?”“Julian is the smartest but he likes to order the other kids around. He’s kind of bossy, but in a good way.”“Anne likes to do girly things, like making beds and sandwiches. I don’t like to do girly things, but I also don’t want to be a boy like George. My friend Athena is a tomboy --- she likes Sonic the Hedgehog and hates Princess.”“I knew it, the Sticks are the bad guys!”“My favorite part is when Dick, Julian and George hide out in the dungeons and make animal noises to scare the Sticks. The Sticks think that ghost cows, sheep, and horses are chasing them! I laughed so hard. I think this is the funniest Famous Five book that I’ve ever read.”“Anne is TWELVE and she doesn’t know what kidnapper means?”“What is a ‘ransom’?”
What do You think about Five Run Away Together (2015)?
Reviewed at: The Library of LightsSo, I’ve been making quite a long revisit to my childhood years and started to read Enid Blyton’s works again. ‘Five Run Away Together’ was an absolute favourite from my childhood years. I lost count how many times I’ve read this particular book, and re-reading it as an adult still does not bores me. ‘Five Run Away Together’ by Enid Blyton is an absolute escapism. Every kid, and kid at heart, should read this book. There is nothing not to like about this book. There’s plenty of heartwarming scenes in this book that I like. Plenty of moral for you to reflect on too. The language used? Definitely proper, and something all parents would approve of. This masterpiece was nothing like our modern YA books that’s filled with ridiculous vulgarities and whatnot.Love this book a lot, and would still rate it a 5 star. You folks should recommend this to your kids too, if you have any. If you don’t, you might wanna pick up a book in the ‘FIVE ISLAND ADVENTURE’ series, and escape to a wonderful world as you read along.Be forewarned, though. Reading Enid Blyton’s ‘FIVE ISLAND ADVENTURE’ series will whet your appetite. There’s plenty of good food featured every now and then in her books.
—Cleffairy
I read this when I was in school. Grew up reading Famous Five when I was young - with their bike trips, camping holidays and escapes to the sea - loved it. The reason I picked this up again was because I was quite weary of the serious books I had been reading recently. Nothing like a simple Famous Five book.This one features the four kids Julian, George, Dick and Anne and their dog, Timmy escape from their home which currently was under the control of horrid housekeepers. They go off to Kirrin Island and land themselves in a muddling web of smugglers and mysterious lights from the sea. Not my favourite Famous Five book, but that is only the only book I own here in NZ.
—Ningtoutao
As with all Famous Five books, this is of the same trusted and successful formula. I loved these books as a child and I am delighted that my girls loved them as children too.The stories are adventures of a byegone age, yet still hold the attention of children, around the world...... they have stood the test of time well - and for a great reason.The stories are plausible, fun, adventurous and contain an excellent mix of young characters... with a little bit of everyone in each of them - something that children have obviously known for decades.
—John
