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Enid Blyton, children's author

11 janvier 1964
04m 39s
Ref. 00023

Information

Summary :

Interview with British novelist Enid Blyton, the queen of children's literature, in her English cottage.

Media type :
Vidéo
Broadcast date :
11 janvier 1964
Source :
ORTF (Collection: A la vitrine du libraire )
Personnalité(s) :
Jacques-Olivier Chattard / Enid Blyton
Themes :
Places :

Context

Enid Blyton (1897-1968), an English novelist, specialised herself in children's literature right from the beginning of her career.

She taught for a few years before dedicating herself completely to writing. The publication of the first volume of the popular Famous Five series, written between 1942 and 1963, made her famous worldwide, especially in France, which continues to publish the 21 books of in the Bibliothèque Rose series since 1954. She tells the story of a group of four kids, Claude, Annie, Mick and François and their dog Dagobert, who are in charge of solving police enigmas. Later on, between 1942 and 1963, the Secret Seven, made up of fifteen stories, also encountered much success.

Her books, translated into more than fifty languages, have sold over 400 million copies. The Oui-Oui series, which started in 1949, is destined for much younger readers, who are learning to read. She has been accused of writing without style and of portraying an over-simplified world, but it has to be said that her works have allowed many young children to become interested in reading. Enid Blyton wants to reinforce children's talent for reading while allowing them to discover the world around them, thanks to exciting stories that are full of twists and turns.

Aurélia Caton

Transcription

Jean Prasteau
These books bring joy to our children, girls and boys. But who is Enid Blyton, the bestseller of the new Bibliotheque Rose? I often thought that hiding behind this feminine and British signature was an old man, bearded and decorated with the Legion of Honour. Well, no. Enid Blyton is indeed a woman, and she is indeed British. Jacques-Olivier Chattard found her in a cottage that is also quite English where, for once, she opened the door for television cameras (since she usually flees from attention), which allows us to present to you the author of these children's novels that are translated and published throughout the world, into millions and millions of copies, for example the Famous Five series or the Secret Seven series. In short, one of publishing's phenomenons, someone like the new Countess of Ségur.
(Music)
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
Miss Blyton, do you know how many books you've written?
Enid Blyton
[English] Between 300 and 400.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
Miss Blyton, how old were you when you first started writing?
Enid Blyton
[English] They weren't at all stories like the ones I write now, but sure enough, I was writing.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
At what age?
Enid Blyton
At around 6 or 7 years old, something like that.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
And you haven't stopped writing since. Do you write whenever inspiration hits you or do you have a rigourous work method?
Enid Blyton
[English] I just sit in my armchair with my typewriter on my knees, my hands on the keys, I start to write and I immediately write the book.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
How long does it take you to write a book?
Enid Blyton
[English] A short book of 10,000 words, I can do it in one day. A 20,000 word book will take me longer. And a 30,000 word book might take me a week, etc...
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
Miss Blyton, to sum things up, you have a powerful imagination and the capacity to work that famous writers such as Balzac or Dickens have. Where do you rank yourself within contemporary literature? Do you consider yourself to be a great writer?
Enid Blyton
[English] No, I consider myself to be a good children's author.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
Nothing more?
Enid Blyton
[English] No, I can write for children, I like writing for children. I have no difficulty writing for children which is why I consider myself to be a good children's author.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
What hobbies do you enjoy when you're not working?
Enid Blyton
[English] I like gardening. I spend lots of time in the garden. I like golf, tennis, playing the piano. That's enough, I guess.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
Miss Blyton, do you think that to please children, you have to describe a world where there's only children?
Enid Blyton
[English] Oh no, because they can live in the world of adults the same way that I live in a world of children. Besides, they also live in a world of animals. So you therefore have to include everything that the children know, like, etc... in the story.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
Do you get letters from young French readers?
Enid Blyton
Yes, I do.
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
Do you have one that you could read to us? [English]
Enid Blyton
[English] Yes, I think that I have one that I received today. [English]
Jacques-Olivier Chattard
In French.
Enid Blyton
My french is not good. "Dear Enid Blyton, the first time that I read one of your books, I had a good time. The mysteries are very interesting. The Famous Five and Secret Seven stories are always exciting adventures. Claude, Annie, François, Nick, Jo and Dagobert have practically become friends of mine. I thank you for these stories. I have many books of yours. I would be very happy if you would be so kind as to sign one of my books. I sent you my warmest thoughts. Michèle Dino".
Jean Prasteau
Well, I hope that our viewers, and especially those that are under 14 years old will have the pleasure of discovering Enin Blyton, whose novels are published, once again, by Hachette.
(Music)