Third Year at Malory Towers-- Enid Blyton

This book was loaned to me by the wonderful D, an Enid Blyton fan from a tender age. She has fond memories of the Malory Towers series, though she handed this book to me with the caveat, “You know, it’s kind of weird. And British.”

This book is definitely amusing. It would be wrong to evaluate it in the same way I have for other books here—it’s old-school, and yes… very British. I love the way people talk, and say things like “harem-scarem” and “don’t let us.” And they call their sleeping quarters “dormies.” It’s a good thing I didn’t read these books when I was young and impressionable, or I would definitely have talked like this and suffered ridicule.

The characterizations are also awesome. First is the classroom teacher, Miss Peters, who the students describe as “hearty”—like it’s a bad thing. That is, when the author is not not describing her as straight-up “mannish.” I think those are the only two words to describe Miss Peters, actually. Then we have new student Wilhelmina, who goes by “Bill,” and she is a tomboy who loves horses. Even before she shows up, it comes to the students’ attention that she has seven brothers, and one girl remarks, “well, she must be half-boy herself.” Awesome! The other new student is Zerelda, who is American. (Who named a kid Zerelda, I do not know.) Anyway, Zerelda prances around fancying herself a future film star and, in a twist of irony for American readers, the students make fun of her accent. Awesome again! Oh yes, and Zerelda is demoted a grade because the American school system failed her and she is not used to having to work hard. Can I get a third awesome?

The other students are caricatures—they each have a quality and a talent, as well as a designated friend they pal around with. Apparently the main character, Darrell Rivers, has a temper, but I didn’t really see much of that in this book. Everyone seems to be pretty happy all the time.

There is something remarkably soothing about this book. It’s pleasant and well-paced, and it’s comforting to know that nothing truly bad will ever happen to these girls at Malory Towers (D, correct me if I am wrong and the school burns down in the last book or something). It’s safe, predictable, engaging, and—frankly—a nice change from some of the rather intense stuff I’ve been reading lately. I could totally see myself getting really into the series as a kid and wishing my parents would send me to boarding school in Cornwall.