This week English Heritage acknowledged the “racism, xenophobia and lack of literary merit” in the works of Enid Blyton, adding details to its online record as a result of a review of its blue plaques. Fans of the children’s author hit back at the description, despite Blyton’s work having been subject to criticism, particularly for its racist and elitist elements, since the 1950s. (Her books, including “Noddy”, “The Famous Five” and “Malory Towers”, have continued to be bestsellers.) Exploring her writing process for the New Statesman in 1959, Blyton insisted that “story-tellers are born, not made”. She acknowledged the moral importance of writing books for children, arguing that “a true children’s writer… cannot help unconsciously teaching the things he believes in”. She seemed acutely aware of the influence she had over her young readers: “and the greater the readership, the greater the responsibility – a sobering thought”.
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