apricuisire's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
sophiapeony's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mambo's review against another edition
2.0
REREAD
This is one of the only Famous Five books I read as a child; as an introduction to the series, I recall enjoying it a lot! I remember mostly the beginning; probably because our characters were established and the introduction of Berta gave the readers and the Five a blank canvas for their latest adventure.
The premise is fun, a perfect childhood thrill with equal amounts mystery, danger and of course incompetent adults. I mean, they are ridiculously so but not in a likeable or comical way either. Joan is perhaps the only adult in this story that has any merit, still she serves only as convenience character. This comes to my main issue with this particular book in the series. I don’t know if it’s true of all the books; but the treatment of female characters in this is overwhelmingly disappointing. I can allow passes for the time this was written, however nearly all the females in this are mere surface level characters with hardly any agency at all.
George, my favourite by far, is kidnapped and is therefore absent for the majority of this book. Aunt Fanny and the literal hell of a character that is Uncle Quentin also exit the story early on, as does Berta, who is passed from place to place throughout. This leaves us Joan, Anne and Jo. The former is a likeable and relatable adult, though her position in the book becomes what should’ve been Aunt Fanny, only with added subservience to the Five as their housemaid. She does not make decisions but takes orders from Julian and Dick, whilst cooking breakfast and fretting. Anne practically disappears! It’s laughable that in a story about the Famous Five, Anne is sidelined repeatedly and opts out to helping Joan with the housework and sleeping, rather than rescuing George. Jo’s mischievous actions prove her to have the most agency of the female characters and she’s very likeable in this novel - however she is constantly discouraged by the Five (namely Julian and Dick) when her involvement is no longer necessary to the plot. She continues to do what she wants and becomes a major part in this story. Her disobedience adds to her personality, however described as a Gypsy, she is still a lower status female and this is repeated throughout the book.
Essentially, this story is the Dick and Julian show. Even Timmy the dog features more in this than two of the supposed ‘Five’; and sadly throughout this story the representation of women is continually diminished, subservient or completely absent. Not one I’d be quick to share with young children.
This is one of the only Famous Five books I read as a child; as an introduction to the series, I recall enjoying it a lot! I remember mostly the beginning; probably because our characters were established and the introduction of Berta gave the readers and the Five a blank canvas for their latest adventure.
The premise is fun, a perfect childhood thrill with equal amounts mystery, danger and of course incompetent adults. I mean, they are ridiculously so but not in a likeable or comical way either. Joan is perhaps the only adult in this story that has any merit, still she serves only as convenience character. This comes to my main issue with this particular book in the series. I don’t know if it’s true of all the books; but the treatment of female characters in this is overwhelmingly disappointing. I can allow passes for the time this was written, however nearly all the females in this are mere surface level characters with hardly any agency at all.
George, my favourite by far, is kidnapped and is therefore absent for the majority of this book. Aunt Fanny and the literal hell of a character that is Uncle Quentin also exit the story early on, as does Berta, who is passed from place to place throughout. This leaves us Joan, Anne and Jo. The former is a likeable and relatable adult, though her position in the book becomes what should’ve been Aunt Fanny, only with added subservience to the Five as their housemaid. She does not make decisions but takes orders from Julian and Dick, whilst cooking breakfast and fretting. Anne practically disappears! It’s laughable that in a story about the Famous Five, Anne is sidelined repeatedly and opts out to helping Joan with the housework and sleeping, rather than rescuing George. Jo’s mischievous actions prove her to have the most agency of the female characters and she’s very likeable in this novel - however she is constantly discouraged by the Five (namely Julian and Dick) when her involvement is no longer necessary to the plot. She continues to do what she wants and becomes a major part in this story. Her disobedience adds to her personality, however described as a Gypsy, she is still a lower status female and this is repeated throughout the book.
Essentially, this story is the Dick and Julian show. Even Timmy the dog features more in this than two of the supposed ‘Five’; and sadly throughout this story the representation of women is continually diminished, subservient or completely absent. Not one I’d be quick to share with young children.
erin_rose29's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
imogen_eliza's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
b00kr3vi3ws's review
4.0
The fun they had and the danger they faced wowed me as a kid. I wished and wished to have been born as their friend.
Famous Five taught me a bunch of things… For starters, always be ready for an adventure! They also taught me to not underestimate little girls. How many times has little Anne saved their lives? Also, I realized early on that there will always be someone trying to dictate your life, but it is important to be true to yourself no matter what.
Must read for kids.
Famous Five taught me a bunch of things… For starters, always be ready for an adventure! They also taught me to not underestimate little girls. How many times has little Anne saved their lives? Also, I realized early on that there will always be someone trying to dictate your life, but it is important to be true to yourself no matter what.
Must read for kids.
tkh's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mullinstreetzoo's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a fun adventure. I devoured these as a kid.
wordsandcoffee's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0