Timeless Appeal

Upper Fourth At Malory Towers by Enid Blyton is an entertaining girls’ novel that I enjoyed. It is the fourth book in the Malory Towers series which I recommend reading in numerical order as it follows the characters through their school years.

I originally read the Malory Towers books fifty years ago, and they were a firm favourite of mine. I am enjoying them just as much as I did first time around.

We follow the characters as they navigate school life. We witness friendships and camaraderie, as well as hurtful behaviour that sometimes happens. Life is lived in the classroom and the dorms, and also in the surrounding area. Enid Blyton evokes childhood memories with her tales.

There is humour to be found within the pages too. “Matron… would… say, ‘My dear Gwendolene, you are suffering from inflammation of the imagination, as usual.’”

I read the book in just two sittings. It is an engaging read that will appeal to another generation of readers as well as the original fans.

JULIA WILSON