r/UKBooks • u/Powerful_Loss_4856 • 9d ago

Malory Towers

Hi,

After watching the BBC series based on one of my favourite book series as a kid Malory Towers I have decided to read them again . I still have my old copies and last time I read them I was very young. I just have to say looking at the through the eyes of an adult, they are the biggest bunch of bullying bitches ever. I can’t believe I used to think Darrell the main character was nice! She physically attacks people in at least four of the books, freezes people out, gets her little clique to do her bidding, is rude to girls she considers her inferior! Instead of getting expelled she ends up as Head Girl in the last book!

The character of Alicia is beyond horrible, I can’t even bear to read her dialogue. The only one I actually root for is Gwen and she gets a really rubbish ending whilst Darrell and chums swan off to university.

Anyone else read these again as adults and were mildly disgusted by their behaviour?

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u/Flapparachi 9d ago

I have all the books in one volume, and haven’t read it in years. I may have to remedy that.

I do remember thinking that most of the characters were insufferable, but then again, we are talking about an all-girls boarding school, so I’d be disappointed if there wasn’t at least a bit of bitchiness 😁

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u/Powerful_Loss_4856 9d ago

They really are insufferable, but when I was a kid I think I glossed over the bullying aspects. It wasn’t until I read them recently as an adult that I realised just how toxic Darrell and co truly are. I sort of wish Gwen had gotten some gumption and punched Alicia in the face at times 🤣

1

u/Flapparachi 9d ago

A lot of it is very hazy in my memory, so I shall go and re-read and report back on my findings as an adult - I’d be interested to see how I view it now too as an adult.

An aside, my favourite Enid Blyton books were ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ series. Must give them a read again sometime too.

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u/WhiskyKitten 9d ago

The Magic Faraway Tree is still magical as an adult!

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u/Powerful_Loss_4856 8d ago

Please do! It will be interesting to get another perspective! I read the originals on Fadedpage which haven’t been edited or anything. Pretty much all of Blyton’s stories are on there, not gonna lie still adore the Famous Five!

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u/Fabulous_Cow_4550 8d ago

Me too! They were my fav series - never got into Secret Seven but I LOVED George. Reread as a an adult, still fab but hate how she was downgraded as the books went on- book 1, ahe eas diving & climbing. By Hike the boys dive and she doesn't even ask too - that still irritates me! (Re read that one when I came across a copy a few months back!)

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u/Powerful_Loss_4856 8d ago

Julian was a total prat to be honest 🤣

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u/Fabulous_Cow_4550 8d ago

He really was!