Post by GloomyGraham » 30 Oct , Post by Anita Bensoussane » 30 Oct , Post by Boodi 2 » 30 Oct , Post by Lucky Star » 31 Oct , Post by Katharine » 31 Oct , Post by Bertie » 31 Oct , Post by Boatbuilder » 31 Oct , Post by Anita Bensoussane » 01 Nov , Post by Wolfgang » 01 Nov , Post by Courtenay » 01 Nov , Post by Katharine » 01 Nov , Post by Bertie » 01 Nov , Post by db » 02 Nov , Post by Anita Bensoussane » 03 Nov , Post by Debbie » 03 Nov , Privacy Terms.
Skip to content. Search Advanced search. Quick links. A shame Enid didn't travel more Use this forum to discuss the author herself. Post Reply. A shame Enid didn't travel more Quote Post by GloomyGraham » 30 Oct , Many of Enid's books included places inspired by her local holidays but it's a shame she didn't really travel very much. A couple set in Scotland, a few down in Wales and some drawing on her brief voyages to the Mediterranean and the USA - and that was about it.
Most of these stories are rather simplistic though and stereotype these countries and their people. And just about all of her made-up countries - mostly from the 'Secret' or 'Adventure' series - are rather far-fetched and aren't her most memorable works.
Of course WWII prevented travel for most UK citizens for a decade or more, but it's a real shame Enid didn't get to see more of the world and have these travels inspire some of her books. Even staying close to the UK, a story or two set in Ireland would have been good. Perhaps Holland or France too. And a round-the-world publicity voyage to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands might have given her a bunch of ideas for stories.
I'm in two minds about whether I wish Enid Blyton had travelled more. If she had, she might not have had time to write as many books! Even if she'd visited more countries, unless she'd lived in them for some time she may well still have portrayed them in a somewhat stereotypical way. Enid's first brief voyage didn't actually include the Mediterranean or the Aegean there's a map of her voyage in the link below , yet she writes convincingly enough about Greek islands in The Ship of Adventure.
