Book Review: FIVE GO OFF IN A CARAVAN

Five Go Off in a Caravan by Enid Blyton

Enid Blyton is one of the world’s most famous authors, having penned many famous children’s series such as Secret Seven, Five Find-Outers and Famous Five. Five Go Off in a Caravan is one of the books in the Famous Five series, detailing the fantastic adventures of the Famous Five: Julian, George, Dick, Anne and Timmy.

A caravan is a mobile home that is towed by a car.
Inside the caravan are sleeping quarters and amenities for cooking.
Quite nifty, isn't it?

Of  course when Enid Blyton wrote the Famous Five series,
cars were not that common yet. Moreover, the Famous Five,
being children, could not drive. In those days, caravans
were drawn by horses which was much more romantic.

This particular story describes how, while caravanning, the Famous Five run into a circus – they befriend a member of the circus who is of the same age as them, Nobby, and his pets: Growler and Barker, two obedient dogs, and Pongo, the hilarious ape. As the story progresses, they find out that there is more than meets the eye regarding Dan and Lou, Nobby’s uncle and the acrobat in the circus respectively. The Five and Nobby uncover a nefarious plot, all the while keeping their activities secret from the two dangerous adults.

One of the best things about this book is the great descriptions that Blyton uses. At the beginning, while the Five are still enjoying their vacation, we get detailed, interesting descriptions of the beautiful caravans they occupy, the great food that is often prepared for them by Anne – refreshing lemonade, delicious bacon and eggs, and much more. Best of all is the description of their surroundings; as Blyton describes the clear blue sky above them, the little brown brooks the children can play in, and the general ambiance as they travel in their caravans. Blyton writes in an extremely realistic way that makes you feel as if you can see the things the characters see, and makes you wish that you really were there with them.

Blyton is also excellent at creating interesting, funny characters. Of the famous five, the most prominent are George and Timmy, who are in fact, a girl and her dog respectively. George is the wayward, rebellious one out of the Five – she’s often the one most eager for adventure, pushing the others to find out more, and is usually considered the most resourceful of the five. She is also especially loyal, and her friendship with animals is endearing – she makes friends with every and any animal that she can, including Nobby’s three pets mentioned above. Her dog, Timmy, is just as enjoyable a character. He is an extremely intelligent dog, often helping to warn his mistress when danger approaches, and he has a deep loyalty to his mistress – he will not hesitate to do anything she says. Their relationship is one to marvel at, as it is written realistically and in a touching manner that displays how deep the relationship between a girl and her pet can go.

Another fantastic character is Pongo, the mischievous ape who is constantly sneaking his hands into other people’s pockets to steal their things and sneaking into the caravans of the Five to have fun in there. Pongo is an extremely intelligent ape; on its first encounter with Timmy, it first solemnly shakes Timmy’s paw, then goes behind Timmy to shake its tail! Despite Pongo’s playful antics, it is, in the end, a friend to the Five – it constantly helps the Five out, even saving them when they are in grave danger! With animals like Timmy and Pongo helping them, it is no wonder that they succeed in revealing the secrets of Dan and Lou in the end.

All in all, Five Go Off in a Caravan is a fantastic book – it has interesting and cute protagonists who share deep and moving friendships, and the enjoyable, realistic descriptions in the book only makes the book all the better.

Rating: 4.5/5

For ages 8 and above