Enid Blyton’s Work and Its Universal Appeal


Born in London in 1897, Enid Blyton, also known as Mary Pollock, is argued to be the best children’s book author of her time. A prolific writer, she wrote over 400 books during her lifetime and her work remains extensively popular across the globe; sparking imaginations and spurring children to read whenever encountered.

After years of teaching children and writing poems, plays, and short stories, Enid Blyton published her first full-length storybook in 1937. The ‘Adventures of the Wishing Chair’ was a collection of tales about a brother and sister who, along with a little pixie, embark on a series of adventures on a magical flying chair. The essence of her first book lay in the creation of fantasy worlds and intriguing characters. The universal appeal and the impact of such a form of writing were not lost on her and thus, oft-times it assumed reappearance in her following works.

From ‘Noddy’ to ‘The Secret Seven’, from the girls at ‘Malory Towers’ to the lands on top of ‘The Faraway Tree’, the characters of Blyton’s stories have enthralled and charmed readers for generations. Whether it be the trademark signature on the covers of her books, her ability to capture the imagination of children, or simply the sheer number of books that she managed to write - she is considered to be a unique figure in the annals of children’s fiction.

Her unabashedly simple storylines, garnering appeal from children of all ages, are fast-paced, arouse satisfaction, and engross children in pages and pages of enchantment and wonder. Additionally, they appeal to adults by encompassing moral lessons that are more human; those which evoke a profound and philosophically dense thought - all via stories of fairies and pixies.

Her work, however, has not been free from criticism. Blyton has encountered criticism for her reductive, simplistic plots, her now taboo portrayal of gender and racial stereotypes, and her ideology of colonialism. Distancing herself from such criticism, she is said to have disregarded the views of any critic over the age of 12, and supposedly never intended her tales to be probed for their realism or critically examined.

Over the years, changes have been made to her books to make them more accessible to contemporary audiences. New illustrations and formatting have been introduced, language has been updated, controversial views have been removed, and even character names have been changed slightly to keep them fresh and appealing. Publishers have aimed to provide her work with a modern makeover through the medium of reprints which too, has been a controversial move for those adults who view it as tampering with an important piece of the history of children's literature.

Barring the changes, though, the crux of her stories remains the same; engaging, simple, and filled with adventures enough to make young imaginations soar. They have managed to stand the test of time and have provided succor and a sense of escapism to children for decades.

Written By - Saumya Seth

Edited By - Sravanthi Cheerladinne