Book info

• Title Five on a Treasure Island
• Author Enid Blyton
• Year 1942
• Genres Childrens, Adventure, Mystery

Julian, Dick and Anne are spending the holidays with their tomboy cousin George and her dog, Timothy. One day, George takes them to explore nearby Kirrin Island, with its rocky little coast and old ruined castle on the top. Over on the island, they make a thrilling discovery, which leads them deep into the dungeons of Kirrin Castle on a dangerous adventure. Who - and what - will they find there?

Thoughts

I mean, if you’re going to go Enid Blyton, you’ve got to go all the way back to the start of the five, right? Four kids and a dog go gallivanting around, causing and finding mischief. Some of it is unbelievable in this day and age, I mean for a start that kids would want to spend so much time outdoors but then also that parents/guardians would be happy about their charges heading off to a notoriously rocky island when there’s a storm brewing.

Nevertheless, there’s an adventure to be had and these kids are the right ones for the job. It’s aged, obviously, and some of the stereotypes aren’t great. But I do like that their different personalities are all quite useful - even timid Anne has her part to play - and they bounce off each other well to solve what was actually quite a scary mystery.

It does make me wish I had my own island to play with, but never mind. Live vicariously through the famous five instead!

Rating: 3 / 5