House at the Corner

A quick skim of a read reminded me of this very traditional Enid Blyton. In a family of five children, the spoiled older children with the talents learn it is not enough to be lucky, but hard work is needed too, while the often overlooked younger children learn that they are Good Eggs to the core. Heartwarming, although there are some very traditional gender roles, if speeches like 'oh, it's much more rewarding and important to be able to make a family happy than be in a dull office all day' are going to put your back up you may not want this book!

This was a fascinating find. In some ways it follows the formula set by another Blyton novel I read - The family at Red Roofs. However, what I find interesting about this book is that it includes the perspective of the adults as much as it does of the children, and the adults are portrayed as (mostly) being just as fallible and imperfect as the children. My favourite "problem" with the adults is their complete lack of recognition of Lizzie's domestic talents. Her parents (or at least her mother) value prettiness and cleverness over anything else. Lizzie's loving willingness to help around the home all the time is pretty much taken for granted and is even part of the reason she is treated as "just Lizzie."

The position of the narrator and show more a couple of key characters contradicts this blindness and talks about the wonderful role of being "at the centre of a home". This is quite amusing, given that it seems unlikely that Blyton herself was ever at the centre of her own home. However, despite the narrational sympathy for Lizzie's position, there is a seeming contradiction. If Lizzie wishes to become Elizabeth, she must grow into her name. A choice of name is not her right but a privilege to be earned. She must earn her name by increased self confidence - self confidence which must manifest itself in improved looks and in finding the courage to develop her talents. Talents which do not include being at the centre of the home.

There is also an interesting link to the Naughtiest girl series which I didn't expect. By the end of term, the twins are gearing up to head off to Whyteleafe School and their best friend Michael is clearly related to one of the headmistresses, Miss Best. The only other time I've seen any kind of crossover in Enid Blyton is when the Secret seven refer to the Famous five stories - and the stories are definitely referred to as fictional. In the world of House at the corner, Whyteleafe School is real.

This book makes me realise what a small percentage of Blyton's books I have actually read - I wonder if there are any more surprises out there, waiting for me... show less

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