Just As Entertaining As In My Childhood

First Term At Malory Towers by Enid Blyton is an entertaining children’s novel and perfect for those aged ten years or over. It is the first book in a thirteen-book series. For those of us, who remember Malory Towers from our girlhood reading, it is a chance to walk down memory lane. I enjoyed it just as much as an adult as I did as a child. I am excited to read the first six books again, and to read the new final seven.

Enid Blyton first penned Malory Towers in 1945. Girls would have needed something to bring them joy as the war was finally over and so far, six years of childhood would have been terrifying. Malory Towers is as entertaining today as it has always been. There are some obvious differences that date the book including references to Churchill, but putting that aside, the book is an engrossing tale.

I originally read the books fifty years ago as an eleven-year-old. This book entertained me then and now, as I still pictured myself in the lead role of Daryll Rivers.

There are an eclectic mix of girls in Malory towers as one would find in any school. We ‘hear’ of lessons, friendships, dormitories etc as the various personalities shine through. Interestingly all the teachers were female and unmarried.

We meet a very timid character. Others perceptively say “You can’t possibly do anything if you think you can’t. But you can do impossible things sometimes if you think you can.” The girl needs her self-belief building up because “once you can make anyone believe in themselves, they’re all right.”

I thoroughly enjoyed traversing the hallways and classrooms of Malory Towers and am looking forward to all the books in the series.

I shall leave the final word with the headmistress:

“I count as our successes those who learn to be good-hearted and kind, sensible and trustable, good, sound women the world can lean on.”

JULIA WILSON