Philip and Dinah Mannering and Lucy-Ann and Jack Trent have had the best of luck in being allowed to spend summer break together at the Mannering’s home – a castle, actually – Craggy Tops. They spend most of their time crawling along the beaches and hills and cliffs near Craggy Tops looking at birds and trying to find a way to get out to the mysterious island they see every once in a while through the fog out on the ocean. Unfortunately, their only options are Bill Smuggs, a friendly but secretive man studying birds on the cliffs, and Joe the grumpy handyman for Craggy Tops. But when they find a secret passage between the cellar and the beach, things begin to get creepy and the children decide they need to get out to the Island no matter what.I actually bought this book unread based on the recommendation of Jane Brocket (of Yarnstorm). I have several of Brocket’s books, and she highly recommends pretty much anything written by Enid Blyton. This book is the first in the Adventure series which stars the Mannerings and the Trents. And I can pass on that high recommendation to any readers out there who enjoy classic children’s books such as the Little House, the Borrowers, the Secret Garden, etc. The characters are charming and the setting is just dramatic enough to make things interesting. And these children really act like children. Not the stupid children of adult literature, who are never competent enough to take care of themselves, or the frustrating children of modern works who are only caught up in material things and the drama of relationships. The Trents and the Mannerings are highly capable, intent on learning about what they’re interested in, willing to problem solve and determined to have fun while doing it. They have every ability of taking care of themselves and entertaining themselves for an entire day without television or games (that they don’t make up themselves). It’s the kind of childhood that could be called idyllic and is fairly rare in this day. And while you may have to put up with some naievete on their part concerning people’s character and some leaps of faith in the plotline (only because you have an adult mind), this book is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This series of books was chosen as part of my 2015 Reading Challenge but I'd often wanted to revisit the books of my childhood. I remember absolutely loving Enid Blyton and so I was apprehensive would they live up to my memories. Well I'm pleased to say I was not disappointed it was every bit as exciting and fun as I remembered and I can see why Enid Blyton was so popular and why I loved them so much as a child.The 4 children Philip, Dinah, Lucy-Ann and Jack (not forgetting Kiki the parrot) are thrown together over the summer holidays staying in an old house called Craggy-Tops by the sea and become intrigued by the Island of Gloom and the mysterious goings on that they slowly become aware of.Compare to today's standards of excitement in children's books I think it compares very favourably and it is refreshing to read something that doesn't involve the supernatural which has become so popular today (don't get me wrong I love that as wellbut an exciting story can be written that is about 'real life' too).The setting is atmospheric set in an old rambling house by the sea, I think the depiction of the children's relationship is well done and the addition of the parrot is a brilliant touch. The adventure is fun and excitingly described and there is a twist that I didn't expect.My only reservation is really to do with how expectations have changed and so the girls doing the household chores while the boys do the manly tasks. A boy is called “stupid” because he is a slow learner. I will say the book is a product of its time and leave it at that.I would highly recommend and can't wait to read the rest in the series.
What do You think about The Island Of Adventure (2000)?
I'd never be brave enough to wander round the mine caves as Philip, Jack, Dinah and Lucy-Anne do in this exciting adventure. The thought of it gives me the jitters. Reading about it is definitely much better. This first book of the series is excellent (although not my favourite in the series). Kiki is good fun - her comments are always so well timed! The interactions between the kids are probably the most realistic of all Blyton's siblings and they all have distinct personalities, but despite that the Famous Five still rate higher in my view.
—Jen Pritchard
undiscovered by Americans? My fifth grade teacher in California read us several books of this series. I loved them then. Of course, this was in the late 50s! Perhaps Americans aren't still reading this fun but very dated books.
—Tom Seward
While this is my favorite series, I really did not like this book all that much. It is not bad as such but does not live up to the other books. The initial part where the protagonists meet each other for the first time is exciting. After that somehow the story failed to excite me. Islands, underground passages through seas etc. are a regular feature on many of the other Enid Blyton series as well. So they did not have much novelty in them. We do not encounter any exotic locales nor does Philip have an exciting pet here. Maybe I would have found it better if I had started with this book. But after having read Castle of Adventure, River of Adventure and Circus of Adventure, this book came acoss as a dud. Maybe for a reader starting with this book, the antics of Kiki the parrot and Philip's unique charm with animals would have been novelty enough.
—Karthik
